A new district "Drugs Czar" has been appointed in Bradford.

Detective Sergeant Colin Stansbie is to lead the multi-agency fight against drugs by acting as a link between the police and other agencies.

He will be based at Shipley police station and will be identifying drug trends and working closely with the new district-wide drugs team and arrest referral team.

Det Sgt Stansbie said he would be involved with Bradford Drug Action and Alcohol Action Team, Bradford Council and Anti-Crime Partnerships, with the aim of diverting people away from drugs and crime and into treatment.

"I intend to inform people about the drugs issues so that all agencies tackle drugs issues in a more co-ordinated way," he said.

"Everyone needs to work in the same direction to achieve the same aim - the reduction of drug use and abuse.

"I want to make sure everything is done in a co-ordinated way so that we impact on crime levels and people's quality of life. Ultimately we all want people to lead crime-free and healthy lives.

"While the new district drugs team will be disrupting drugs markets in Bradford and Keighley, I will be working in partnership with others to tackle the social, health and wider issues which make people take drugs and try to divert people away from this kind of life."

Chief Superintendent Graham Sunderland, who is leading the latest drugs blitz, named Crackdown in Bradford - a Community Against Drugs, said Det Sgt Stansbie would provide a vital link between law enforcement, education and treatment.

"As the new Bradford Area Drugs Co-ordinator he has a mammoth task in consolidating all the excellent work which already exists within the different agencies," he said.

"It is essential that all agencies work towards a common goal for the good of the Bradford and Keighley district."