Police on horseback in City Park to tackle issues in Bradford

The officers were congregated in City Park, to the side of the Mirror Pool, alongside members of the fire service and staff from other organisations.

This included Bradford at Night, community outreach, homeless outreach, and Simon on the Streets.

They looked to be receiving a briefing.

Police, Bradford at Night, community outreach, homeless outreach, the fire service, and Simon on the Streets receiving a briefing (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Noreen Akhtar, Assistant Director of Neighbourhood and Community Services at Bradford Council, confirmed in a post on X this is the first in a series of high-profile partnership sessions, where the group has a briefing on the areas of the city centre, before going out to tackle issues.

She said: "The first of many weekly on street multi-agency #bradfordbreifings.

"There's dozens of frontline workers working tirelessly doing good for those who work, live, & visit Bradford centre.

"This is an opportunity to come together, share ideas, concerns, and tackle together local issues."

Today's area of focus is City Park.

Bradford's new District Commander, Chief Superintendent Richard Padwell, also posted on X about the initiative.

He said it will use partners from multiple agencies with "focused attention in key locations, positively impacting community safety".

There will be regular activity and Chief Supt Padwell listed some of the other partners involved, which include, Bradford Council, Bradford BID, Operation Steerside, New Vision, and neighbourhood police officers in the city ward.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said this evening: "West Yorkshire Police held the first of a series of Action Partners events with partners in Bradford city centre today.

"Representatives from The City Neighbourhood Policing Team, Bradford Early Action Team, The Steerside Enforcement Team and West Yorkshire Police’s Mounted Section were joined by partners from Bradford Council and Bradford BID, as well as West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.  

"Bradford at Night, New Vision (including Homeless Outreach) and Simon on the Streets also attended this opportunity for partners to learn about issues affecting community safety in the area, and to share the latest information about what was being done to tackle these.   

"Following the briefing, police and partners carried out some focused activity in the City Centre.

"This included engagement, outreach, cleaning and enforcement. 

"It is anticipated that further, similar deployments will be held in various locations around the city centre over the coming weeks."

The T&A has contacted Bradford Council for comment but they have not responded.