A MAN has been banned from entering every school in the Bradford district, except if he is studying there under the terms of a new criminal behaviour order.

Mark Anthony Cooper, 43, from Halifax was given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) by Bradford & Keighley Magistrates’ Court on February 12 after pleading guilty to two burglary offences on school premises in the Bradford district.

Under the terms of the CBO he must not do any of the following in the Bradford Metropolitan District. These are: enter any school or educational facility, building or premises, including car parks and playgrounds in without written permission from staff or management, save, for when registered as a student or has an appointment to enrol.

Cooper must not enter anywhere he has already been banned from in writing.

He must not remain on any premises, including car parks, when asked to leave.

The order will expire on February 12, 2026.

Cooper received suspended prison sentences after pleading guilty to two burglary offences at Copthorne Primary School in December 2019 and March 2020 and a theft from a shop on Halifax Road in April 2020.

DCI Andy Farrell, of Bradford Police, said: “We welcome the imposition of this Criminal Behaviour Order on Mark Anthony Cooper which prohibits him from entering all educational establishments in the Bradford area except under certain conditions. “His school break-ins took place towards the end of the school day while the school was open with no regards to whom he may have encountered.

“Cooper has also been prohibited from entering any premises which has written to him and told him he is not welcome to go there.

“If he breaks these conditions he will be committing a criminal offence for which he will be arrested and potentially jailed.

“CBO’s are very effective tools for the police and partners to tackle anti-social behaviour and we will not hesitate to enforce them, as part of our ongoing work to continue lowering crime rates in Bradford district.

“We want to reassure victims of crime that we will do all we can to prevent offending and continue to encourage them to report any information they may have about criminal activity in their areas to Bradford District Police, either via 101 or our website online contact options.”