A hard-hitting project to improve the lives of residents living in an inner-city area of Bradford begins tomorrow.

The Proud of Bradford 3 scheme will see people living in the BD3 postal code area working with Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police and other agencies to improve their environment and quality of life.

The six-month project will include a range of activities including road sweeping, litter picking, graffiti removal and other environmental improvements by the Council.

Police officers will be increasing their presence in the area to target a whole range of criminal activity, from drug use and dealing to traffic offences, while the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be carrying out fire safety checks in the area.

Residents will also be encouraged to report anti-social activities such as litter dropping, dog fouling, noise nuisance, and illegal parking, as well as environmental problems such as blocked gullies and broken street lighting.

Police and Council officers will also be going door-to-door to try to recruit residents as volunteers for the scheme.

Councillor Imran Hussain, Bradford Council’s executive member for safer communities, said: “We are really keen to work more closely with people finding local solutions to local problems with residents at the heart of this.

“We all want to live in a cleaner and safer environment. Official agencies can do all they can but the people who live in the area can help us to achieve its successful transformation into somewhere we can be proud of.”

Chief Inspector Damien Miller added: “West Yorkshire Police is committed to keeping communities safe and feeling safer, and we look forward to helping our partners make a difference in the BD3 area of Bradford.

“As well as tackling anti-social behaviour and any crime which blights people’s lives, our officers will be engaging with residents to discuss their local priorities and making people aware of how they can work with the police for the benefit of the community.

“This highly visible presence is also an opportunity for residents to report any information they might have on criminal or suspicious activity, either to us directly or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the project would see fire crews and prevention staff aim to cut the fire risk in the area through education and risk assessments.

“Proud of Bradford 3 offers us an opportunity to work closely with our partner agencies in engaging a key local community,” he said.