Families and business owners in Haworth are on the same wavelength in their approach to combat crime in the village.

Members of Haworth Community Business Watch, which was set up in April following a series of break-ins in Main Street, have armed themselves with radios to communicate with each other.

The radios were funded by Bradford's Safer Communities Partnership with members of the business watch providing battery chargers.

The initiative will enable businesses and residents to warn each other when known offenders are in the area.

Chairman of the group David Sisley said: "Although there are many initiatives in Haworth -- we have a pub watch, a car crime reduction group, a traders association and a police contact point -- this group is the first time residents and traders have come together like this with the common aim of making Haworth both safer and a more pleasurable experience for the many tourists that pass through.

"When the businesses lock up and retire for the night the residents become our eyes and ears, and of course we do the same throughout the day and so we get a full 24-hour service by acting for ourselves."

Cllr David Emmott, of the Keighley Anti-Crime Partnership said: "Clearly the police cannot be everywhere all the time and they of course rely on the help and assistance of the public. But here we have a partnership that shows it cares for its neighbours ."

The community watch meets monthly and further details of the group can be obtained from shops in the village, displaying the signs or from Chris Slaven, co-ordinator of the anti-crime partnership, on 01535 618019.