In the week in which Americans were told in a TV programme that Britain is a crime-ridden country, it is encouraging that there has been good news to report on the Bradford crime front.

The message from yesterday's open day at the Midland Hotel, which drew delegates from across the country, was one of cautious optimism. Crime in Bradford was reported to be falling, thanks to "multi-agency strategies" and community partnerships. There have been useful measures taken to deal with street prostitution, theft from shops, and disorderly behaviour prompted by drink and drugs. Shop-watch programmes and CCTV cameras have had an important part to play.

Yet still the fear of crime persists. That is not surprising. As Councillor Kris Hopkins, Bradford Council executive member for health, housing and community safety, told the gathering, Bradford still has major problems like fire engines being stoned by youths, drug-related crime and racism.

The experts might well say, cautiously but truthfully, that the new strategies are starting to have an impact on law and order, but until people start to see a significant reduction in levels of lawlessness around them they are likely to take some convincing that things are getting better.

The message from the open day was that small steps have been taken in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go. That big breakthrough that will banish the fear of crime will only come about if the whole community works together in a variety of ways to prove to the Americans that, at least as far as Bradford is concerned, their TV reporters have got it wrong.