POLICE say there has been a “worrying” increase in retail crime in Bradford city centre over the last 12 months and senior officers are now looking for ways that businesses can help reduce offending.

Insp Andy Gallant, who is responsible for the city centre policing team, said: “The last 12 months’ figures show a worrying increase in retail crime and it is no coincidence that the climate of austerity has a part to play.”

Police intend to research new initiatives which will help prevent shoplifting crimes from happening, to help retailers and reduce the burden on officers.

Insp Gallant said the new initiatives would “challenge retail businesses to prevent as much demand as possible by deterring and designing out crime.”

It is also expected there will be other changes, with volunteers and special constables also being used for deployment in the city.

The objective was “to make Bradford’s main retail sector more attractive to the shopper and uncomfortable for the shoplifter.”

Work to tackle anti social behaviour in the area has had some positive results, with numbers of incidents down 17 per cent in the last year.