One of Bradford's biggest firms is paying the police £15,000-a-year for extra vice patrols in the city centre.

The unusual partnership between Bradford South police's newly-formed vice squad and Provident Financial came amid security fears for the company's staff.

And the company is also paying for taxis to ferry its workers to Bradford's two train stations after work for increased security.

The agreement with the vice squad means additional patrols are working around the Sunbridge Road area where the business's headquarters are based in Colonnade House.

David Stephenson, Provident Financial's communications manager, said the partnership was part of the company's bid to improve overall security at the site.

He said: "We are making a contribution to West Yorkshire Police in support of their new vice unit of £1,250 per month.

"We are doing this to help the police make the Sunbridge Road and surrounding area safer for our staff by helping them reduce the rate of crime."

Mr Stephenson said the company took action after some of their staff said they felt threatened when coming to or leaving the headquarters.

Detective Superintendent Geoff Dodd, head of the city centre's new vice squad, said: "Vice is a persistent problem which requires a great deal of work on behalf of the police and other agencies.

"It exists in a number of forms, the most visible of which is on-street prostitution. The consequence of this is that there are countless numbers of kerb-crawlers attracted to the area.

"The police in Bradford are working closely with partners, including members of the business community, to try to resolve some of the difficulties experienced as a result of on-street prostitution. And of course one method includes high visibility patrolling within an area."

He said the patrols were supported by the Target initiative which was all about reassuring the community as to the true level of crime.

Mr Stephenson said: "In order to increase the level of protection offered to our staff in the vicinity of our head office we have instituted a number of initiatives.

"One was an agreement with West Yorkshire Police that they would increase the number of patrols in the surrounding area.

"Given the pressure on police resources we offered to make a contribution to the cost of the patrols which the West Yorkshire Police accepted."

He said other initiatives included the removal of foliage surrounding the building to increase visibility.

Jim Griffin, president of the Chamber of Trade, said he backed the company's move.

"We welcome businesses making contribution to tackling the problems in the area.

"They feel that it's good for staff morale and they're looking after the people who work for them. It's nice to see an employer looking after its workers."