A SPECIALIST team of officers who work to fight the criminal and anti-social use of Bradford's roads have seized their milestone 1,000th vehicle.

Operation Steerside began back in 2016, prompted by the Telegraph & Argus's Stop the Danger Drivers campaign which was launched amid major concerns about the blight of bad driving on Bradford's roads and called for more action from the authorities to bring it under control.

The operation initially focused on enforcement against the 'fatal four' - speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, drink and drug driving and using a mobile phone at the wheel.

Following a review the Steerside Partnership Board was formed in May 2018, where it moved from a purely police-led operation to a partnership initiative which aims to change the behaviour of current and future road users by working in schools and other settings.

This has included education through theatre at 10 high schools, more than 450 road safety initiatives delivered to over 63,000 pupils across the district, as well as an event with young apprentices at Valley Parade.

Since the refocus of Steerside 1,000 vehicles have been seized for either dangerous, anti-social or illegal use; 173 multi-agency operations have been carried out, 2,626 notices have been issued; 503 Section 59 warnings have been issued, 129 vehicles dealt with for no Vehicle Excise Licence, 173 people have been arrested and 555 people have been reported for summons.

Superintendent Marc Adams, of Bradford District Police, said: “This shows the commitment of the team to listen and react to community concerns, and we are committed to doing more to build on the significant progress in tackling this issue across Bradford District.

“Through working closer in partnership and with our communities we will continue to make the roads of Bradford safer for all.”

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, added: “Operation Steerside is Safer Bradford’s multi agency response to tackle the community concerns about the anti-social and illegal use of motor vehicles.

"We all know he devastating consequences that dangerous driving can lead to but the roads of the district are definitely safer as a direct result of the efforts of the Steerside team and Roads Policing Officers to seize vehicles being used anti-socially and illegally in Bradford district.

"Our message is clear - anyone who drives at excessive speeds, uses a mobile device whilst driving, drives in an anti-social, careless or dangerous manner is highly likely to either have their vehicle seized, be fined, or receive penalty points.”

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins, who was previously awarded a parliamentarian road safety award, thanked the officers of the Steerside Enforcement Team for "their continued work to make Bradford roads safer and to catch the criminals who endanger people through their reckless driving".

She added: "I will continue to campaign for more action on road safety including tougher sentences for those who kill or seriously injure through dangerous driving and more funding for West Yorkshire Police so operations like Steerside can continue."