Crime figures have shown a rise in shoplifting in Ilkley.

Police officers received 13 reports of theft from stores in the town and arrested four people for stealing goods during April.

A 43-year-old man from Leeds was charged with shoplifting at Boots on April 8 and another Leeds man, 46, and a 42-year-old woman were charged with taking goods from Booths supermarket on April 18. A local woman was cautioned for shoplifting at the town’s Co-op store a week later.

Inspector Sue Sanderson, of Ilkley Police, said they were looking at improvements to the Shopwatch scheme, which uses radios to alert shopkeepers and the police about any suspicious behaviour.

She added: “These people do tend not to come from the local area – they tend to travel into Ilkley to commit these crimes.”

The total number of crimes in Ilkley last month was 40, a decrease on the previous month. Three houses were burgled and there were four thefts from vehicles. Ten incidents of criminal damage were reported.

Police priorities remain underage drinking and anti-social behaviour on the rugby ground on Denton Road.

Five crimes were reported in Addingham, including two burglaries from sheds or business premises. No cars were broken into.

Following the recent Police and Community Together (PACT) meeting and neighbourhood forum, speeding on Main Street and Bark Lane will remain a priority for police this month. As part of the ongoing Speedwatch campaign, 13 motorists were caught driving over the speed limit on Silsden Road on Monday and nine vehicles on Ilkley Road on Friday, April 16.

Police in Menston are warning that thieves have been targeting garages and sheds for expensive tools.

Two houses on West Chevin Road had sheds broken into and building sites have been raided at Menston Hall and the new children’s centre at Kirkland’s. A van belonging to a contractor was also broken into at the Hare & Hounds pub.

A police spokesman said: “The people committing these crimes must have some form of transport as many of the items stolen were both bulky and heavy. Please be vigilant in your neighbourhood and report any suspicious vehicles or people.”

A total of seven crimes were recorded in Burley-in-Wharfedale in April, including one house burglary and two incidents of criminal damage. Police priorities for May remain speeding on Main Street and Station Road.