Street crime is starting to take a fierce grip on Bradford and district.

With robberies rocketing by 89 per cent in the past year it's time for concerted action to reclaim our streets.

Today the Telegraph & Argus is launching a campaign to put efforts to tackle street crime right at the top of the agenda.

The Safer Streets campaign aims to help free our city and town centres from the bag-snatchers, mobile phone thieves and robbers seeking to prey on easy victims.

Police in Bradford have pledged to make street crime a priority and are warning the robbers: "There is no hiding place."

Officers are to blitz robbery hot-spots and seek out the worst offenders while ensuring those currently on curfew for theft are where they should be.

Detective Superintendent Mark Milsom, who is in charge of the anti-robbery crackdown, said today: "Robbers tend to pick on the most vulnerable people, including students and the elderly. They see it as easy money, but we are out to make life hard for them."

Home Office statistics released on Friday showed that crime robbery across the district had risen by 89 per cent with a shocking 177 per cent rise in Keighley.

The Safer Streets campaign will also look at what efforts others - like councils and mobile phone companies - are doing to tackle the problem of violence across the district, involving young and old alike.

And it will show everyone what simple precautions can be taken to make it harder for thieves to pounce - whether it be during the day or night. Bradford Police have already responded to the surge in street crime by setting up a dedicated team of 60 officers to focus on the problems of street robbery in the district. They will be patrolling hot-spots, swooping on reported crimes and offering advice and help to victims - all under the banner of Operation Target, a sweep aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime.

Chief Superintendent Adam Briggs, who leads West Yorkshire Police's Operation Target, said: "There will be no hiding place for these robbers. Robbery accounts for about two per cent of all crime but for victims it can be a frightening experience.

"We've seen an increase in robberies in the past year and we are determined to put the fear back where it belongs, with the criminal. They must know that if they commit crime they will be caught."

He pledged dedicated teams of officers will:

Carry out morning noon and night visits to people currently on curfew for crime;

Execute search warrants for suspects wanted for robbery and other crimes;

Patrol robbery hotspot areas to crackdown on would-be criminals and protect the public; and

Provide a rapid response to any reported robberies.

And he called on all people with information about robbers to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Det Supt Milsom said those involved in robbery should be worried: "We will be putting officers on the streets in uniform and plain clothes, in areas where robbers operate. We know a lot of the people committing crime and we will be looking for them.

"Everyone can help reduce robbers' opportunities. Don't use your mobile telephone in the street unless absolutely necessary, don't stand at the ATM counting your cash. Be aware of who is around you, as it only takes seconds for someone to snatch valuables from your hand."