Exclusive: Top 10 crime hotspots in North Kirklees revealed

Figures obtained by a freedom of information request show the locations for more than 600 offences across the district in the last year.

Tesco in Bradford Road, Batley, and Asda in Mill Street West, Dewsbury, topped the list with 136 crimes reported to police between June 6, 2013, and June 6 this year.

Although some offences include violence and drugs, the bulk of the crimes were made up of shoplifting.

The figures also showed 20 incidents of violence against a person were reported at The Frontier in Batley.

Tesco spokesman Mark Thomas said: “Like many retailers across Batley and the wider area, our stores are sometimes targeted by shoplifters. Each store works hard to ensure security measures are in place to prevent this and we work closely with police.”

Insp Tim Holland from the Kirklees Partnership said: “Major retailers invest heavily in store security and have become extremely able at detecting retail crime taking place on their premises.

“Police act on evidence from retailers to make arrests and carry out enquiries and work closely with stores in a joint effort to prevent and reduce crime.”

Batley Neighbourhood Policing Team co-ordinator Martyn Lee added: “Police will continue to investigate any offences reported, and deal with prolific offenders by managing them via the retail banning scheme.”

Top 10 crime hotspots:

Tesco in Batley (136).

Asda in Dewsbury (136).

Batley Shopping Centre (69).

Tesco Express in Dewsbury (62).

Millbridge Service Station in Liversedge (57).

Morrisons in Heckmondwike (48).

Ikea in Birstall (48).

Frontier in Batley (40).

Dewsbury and District Hospital (36).

Sainsburys in Dewsbury (35).