WEST Yorkshire Police is to receive nearly £2.5million to ramp up patrols in areas plagued by anti-social behaviour.

The Home Office announced this week that every police force in England and Wales is being handed a share of £66m to tackle the problem.

West Yorkshire Police has been awarded £2,476,420 from the pot. 

The Government said the cash would help "drive down crime and boost public confidence".

The Telegraph & Argus asked West Yorkshire Police how much of this money would be spent on tackling anti-social behaviour in Bradford, and how much of a difference officers expect the funding will make in the area.

The force itself did not provide a comment - but Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "We are determined to make our region a safe place to live, work and visit.

"Anti-social behaviour can plague communities and that is why we're tackling it as a priority for residents, including by recruiting new frontline police officers and funding early intervention and prevention projects.

"We welcome this new investment in extra patrolling to disrupt anti-social behaviour and increase engagement with our communities and businesses, and will work with West Yorkshire Police to ensure it is directed to where it is needed most."

The news comes after police stepped up efforts to crack down on anti-social behaviour in the heart of Bradford last month.

A dispersal order was in place in the city centre for 72 hours towards the end of January after multiple reports of yobbish behaviour and an assault on a PCSO.

A 12-hour dispersal order was also in force around the middle of the month due to concerns about groups of people hanging around outside bars on Ivegate and Westgate. 

A number of people have told the Telegraph & Argus that they are concerned about anti-social behaviour and want more to be done to tackle it.

The £66m funding comes following successful trials in counties elsewere.

There were more than 80,000 hours of patrols over six months in the 10 force areas which carried out a pilot of the scheme, leading to hundreds of arrests and cutting levels of anti-social behaviour, according to officials.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "We will not stop until every person, no matter where they live, can feel safe and proud of their community.

"That is why we are investing in every police force in England and Wales so they can tackle violence and disorder head on."