POLICE and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson may have been sitting at his desk when he signed off a grant to stage a futsal sports tournament in Bradford, but he pulled on his sports gear to joined in the action when the project reached its finale.

Bradford police worked with the Prism youth club in Walker Road, Girlington, to set up the futsal sessions, a form of five-a-side football.

Prism is a youth club for the deaf and officers identified an issue with youngsters over communication, so set up the eight week course to help break down barriers.

Mr Burns-Williamson backed the idea with a grant using cash reclaimed from criminals and further money was also made available from a sports charity.

PC Joanne Armstrong said: “We established that we didn’t have very good links between the deaf community and police so they felt they could not report crime as a result.

“To help with that, we thought the best way to engage with that community was through sport.”

The futsal sessions have run over eight weeks and it is hoped they will have a lasting legacy of improved bonds between the deaf and police in the area.

He said: “I gave a grant from the Safer Communities Fund and it is a fantastic way of re-investing some of that money into a project helping disadvantaged youngsters.”