A new group has started a campaign to make their community a safer place to live after a rising tide of crime culminated on an attack on a doctor.

A doctor who works at The Ridge Medical Practice was pounced on as she made her way to her car at the practice in Paternoster Lane, Great Horton, Bradford, at 6.15pm on Monday, February 4.

It was one of a number of physical attacks in the area which spurred the community into action.

Now a meeting has been planned to thrash out ideas to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. It was the idea of Helen Woodhead, business manager at the medical practice.

"The GP was walking to her car when she was chased by three people who were trying to get either her, her handbag or her car," she said.

"She managed to make it to her car and lock herself in and get away but she was very frightened, upset and shaken.

"We had already been aware of a number of attacks on patients as they left the surgery to go to the pharmacist and we were very concerned.

"As a practice we are keen to support the local community. We have a practice area with 16,500 people and this crime reflects on their health, well being and care, so we want to do as much as we can to make it safe for them."

The meeting will be held at Great Horton Methodist Church, Great Horton Road, tomorrow from 6pm until 8pm and will be chaired by Paul Flower, Superintendent Minister of Great Horton Methodist circuit.

He said: "For the last two months a group has been meeting that includes, local clergy, community groups, councillors, local businesses and local doctors.

"The attack on the doctor was the catalyst for the group to meet and find ways to work together to persuade the community to take responsibility for make the area a safer place to be.

"We do have the option of obtaining funding for things like CCTV and Neighbourhood Watch schemes but we really want to hear the opinions of local people and find out what they think."

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe will also attend the meeting. "I will be talking about Government proposals for community development and offering suggestions about how we can move things forward.

"While the Government and police have responsibility for community safety nothing can happen without the community coming together.

"Crime plus the need for more community activity is something which concerns me and this is an opportunity to determine what you want to see happen."

Police confirmed the incident against the doctor and said advice had been given.