The fear of crime is a constant background worry all across Bradford as much as in the rest of the country. However, there are ways in which ordinary, law-abiding citizens can work together to counter the blight of criminality, real or imagined.

In Great Horton, for instance, the Community Partnership was formed last year to organise events which bring people together as well as to look at longer-term projects such as CCTV cameras, improved street lighting and better facilities for young people.

Not all measures need to be costly. The Great Horton Community Partnership has come up with a sensible scheme to enable 100 of the most vulnerable people in the area to mark their property with a micro-sized number that can be read only with a microscope. The numbers are held on a database so the police can return stolen property to its owners.

The assumption is that once the local criminals realise that items can be identified in this way they will be much less tempted to steal them.

It is one of the various small ways in which the public can fight back against the people who are undermining their quality of life. And it is being made possible by Yorkshire Water as part of an awards scheme aimed at encouraging groups which make a contribution to the community.

The T&A is happy to be involved with this scheme. A strong sense of community is very important to any district's well-being. It not only gives individuals a greater sense of belonging but also offers greater protection against the destructive behaviour of the criminal minority.