A NEW crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Bradford city centre has been launched, with people urged to report incidents to the police so they can take action. 

It comes amid reports to the Telegraph & Argus that issues have got “out of control”.
West Yorkshire Police have teamed up with Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) to launch the Report It campaign.

Inspector Richard Baildon, of the Bradford City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said police “fully recognise the disruption and misery anti-social behaviour can cause to shoppers and retailers in our city” and that work was ongoing with the BID and Bradford Council to address it.

He added: “I must stress that information from the public and businesses about crime and ASB is absolutely crucial in helping us identify where problems are to help us put resources where they are needed.

“For example, thanks to repeat calls for service about drug dealing outside one pub, we were able to target wider policing resources and really get a grip and address what had been a long-standing issue.

“Calls and online reports have also been key factors in helping us achieve what has become a steady stream of Criminal Behaviour Orders against well-known individuals banning them from shops or from the city centre itself.”

One person who got in touch with the T&A said: “Over the last few years the issue with drug users, homeless and shop lifters has got out of control. 

“The city centre does not feel safe any more especially if you’re out with family or friends, you’re most definitely going to witness a shoplifting incident, drug users and alcoholics.”

They said drug dealers are choosing to target the city centre in broad daylight and business is “booming” for them because of the number of drug users.

Yousaf Nisar, from West Bowling, moved back to Bradford after 10 years of working as a teacher in Qatar.

The 42-year-old said conditions in the city are now “a lot more severe” than they were when he was growing up.

“The standards of the city have regressed since I was here last,” he said, raising concern about the number of people begging at traffic lights and issues like drug addiction. 

He added: “Every street smells of cannabis, and the streets are littered with laughing gas cannisters. 

“A lot of people are showing highly criminal behaviour.”

Mr Nisar said “something needs to change” and factors like poor housing, poor health and poverty all play a part.

“It’s cycle which is very difficult to get out of,” he said. 

Insp Baildon urged: “If you have any information about crime in our city please don’t hesitate to report it to us at the Bradford City NPT on 101, online or in person to one of the team on patrol.

“Every piece of information is recorded and can prove vital in helping us take action to make the city centre safer.”

BID manager Jonny Noble added: “We have worked hard to support the police on a number of initiatives since the BID was launched and we will continue to do so because our levy-paying members identified safety in the city centre as an absolutely key area where we could help to make a difference right from the start.”

The Report It project is part of the BID’s wider Safety In The City Campaign taking place during October which has included supporting a police initiative to help cut thefts from motor vehicles and a special podcast involving PC Toni Ramsden, who is leading a policing project in the top of town area.

The BID’s ‘Bradvocates’ have also worked with the city’s Homeless Outreach Partnership and the BID is currently working with the University of Bradford and the students’ union to relaunch Student Safe Spot, a scheme specifically designed to help students feel safer while out and about near the university and Bradford College.