A toast this week to Fran Dawson, manageress of the Bargain Booze shop in the centre of Keighley.

She has decided to tackle the problem of stamping out the sale of alcohol to under-age children.

She openly admits that complaints have been made about the shop after people have seen youngsters with their carrier bags. But Trading Standards checks have confirmed the shop has done nothing wrong.

Now Fran is following an example which has proved successful in other parts of the country by offering £200 cash rewards for information leading to the conviction of those who have legally bought the alcoholic drinks, but then illegally sold them on to children.

Her initiative has rightly been given an all-round welcome. Cheers.

The action comes as it was revealed that crime in Keighley is down on last year's figures. Why?

Divisional commander Chief Supt Graham Sunderland makes the key point that policing isn't the responsibility of the police alone.

It is about what we can all do together to tackle the problems and that strategy is beginning to work -- with every category of crime being reduced.

The statistics are of course no comfort to those who become victims of crime and as Chief Supt Sunderland says, the most dangerous time is now when we think we are winning.

We all have a role to play in keeping on top of these figures and reducing them further -- be it from following simple crime prevention advice to having the courage to call the police or the Crimestoppers line.

Stances being taken by businesses, such as Bargain Booze, are all grist to the mill.