Three Wharfedale villages saw significant rises in crime last month, although there was another fall in crime for Ilkley.

Crime has been dropping in Ilkley since May and last month there were just 24 crimes recorded in the whole of the town.

But the trend was reversed in the neighbouring communities, with the number of crimes increasing fourfold in one village last month.

Part of the rise in Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston can be atttributed to a rise in thefts from motor vehicles — something Wharfedale and Craven Neighbourhood Policing Team recently issued a warning about.

However, crime in the valley still remains low compared to many areas of West Yorkshire.

In Ilkley itself, there were three house burglaries, one other burglary, three thefts from motor vehicles and one report of criminal damage, among the crimes recorded.

Policing priorities in Ilkley for September include continuing action against under-age drinking and efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour in the Denton Road area.

The biggest rise was in Menston, which had 29 crimes in August, compared to just six the previous month.

Seventeen of August’s crimes were thefts from motor vehicles.

Inspector Sue Sanderson recently warned of an increase in this offence in the area and advised drivers to make sure their vehicles were always left locked.

There were also three house burglaries in Menston, five burglaries of other premises, one assault and one report of criminal damage.

Policing priorities for the village centre around tackling motoring offences, speeding and parking.

Crime in Burley rose from nine in July to 24 in August.

Among these were six thefts from motor vehicles, two house burglaries, five other burglaries, one assault and two criminal damage incidents Police are prioritising action on traffic-related problems and anti-social behaviour in the grounds of Burley Oaks Primary School, outside school hours.

There were ten crimes recorded in Addingham, which often sees no crime in a month.

These included four domestic-related assaults, a single theft from a motor vehicle and two burglaries of sheds, garages or commercial premises Tackling speeding and inconsiderate parking remains the policing priority for the village.