A mix-up left residents believing officers had not turned up to meet them to discuss serious concerns about local crime.

They were dismayed when a misunderstanding over the venue left two community support officers largely alone in a building at the back of St Augustine's Church, Otley Road, Bradford, yesterday.

Muggings, house burglaries, drug dealing and joy riding were all on the agenda for householders in the Otley Road, Pollard Park, Dover Street and Westminster Road areas.

They thought a chance to meet their Neighbourhood Policing Team had been missed when they and ward Councillor Rupert Oliver went to the church instead of the Community Works Centre.

Terry Patten, treasurer of the Otley Road Tenants' and Residents' Association, said that all previous meetings he had held with the police had been in the church building.

"I am very disappointed to miss them. I planned to say a lot on behalf of a lot of people," he said.

Residents' spokesman Bernard Barron got the right venue and had a solo audience with officers.

"We need police on the streets and more respect for the elderly. There is a general fear of reprisal if a crime is reported. People worry their windows will be put through," he said.

Mr Patten, 57, of Welham Walk, said there had been up to nine break-ins on his street in the last five weeks. He estimated there had been 80 attacks on property and cars, including house burglaries, in the neighbourhood in the same period.

"A lot of elderly people are being targeted. They are vulnerable and it's obvious where their homes are," he said.

Mr Patten said many crimes went unreported because the victims feared reprisal or simply did not think it was worthwhile.

"One lad had £3,000 taken from his home, and he knows who took it, but he didn't report it," he said.

Bob Miller, of Spinkwell Close, who was also in the church and missed the officers, said: "Pensioners have lost cash, watches, jewellery and their dignity. They are living in fear. They daren't go out at night."

Mr. Miller, 63, said many streets were no-go areas for older people. He called the police after residents were plagued by bikers, some as young as eight, who rode up and down Prospect Road.

Mr Miller said large gangs of youths hung around Prospect Road looking intimidating.

"I try to avoid them by driving every where, even close places. I wouldn't dare walk down that road on my own.

"They could put two officers on the beat at all times or have a patrol car in the area," he said.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Two Police Community Support Officers were at the community works centre at St Augustine's Church, in Otley Road, between 11.30am and 12.45pm yesterday for the surgery and spoke to a member of the local residents' association who attended.

"Regarding other residents who attended the church, it is unfortunate that there appears to have been a misunderstanding about the venue, particularly as we are always keen to hear the concerns of local people and respond to them accordingly.

We would invite those residents, and any others, to the next NPT surgery which will be at the community works centre at St Augustine's Church between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Friday, November 10.

"Local Neighbourhood Policing Team officers will continue to work in partnership with local residents and other agencies to address any issues and concerns in the area."

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