Members of the public will be allowed to sit in on meetings held by a Bradford crime fighting partnership for the first time next month.

The decision follows criticism that the Bradford and district Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) operates behind a 'cloak of secrecy'.

But although members of the public will now be able to attend and listen to proceedings, they will have no right to ask questions or make comments.

Under a protocol agreement drawn up by the CDRP executive group, anyone who does interrupt the meeting will be warned - and, if they continue, asked to leave the room.

Tory group leader Councillor Margaret Eaton, said: "Members of the community must be given the opportunity to clarify points, ask questions and take part in meetings rather than being told to sit like dummies in the public gallery."

Sharmila Gandhi, CDRP community safety policy officer, said: "There are lots of ways in which people can raise questions - from writing to their ward Councillor or Police Authority representative to attending neighbourhood forums.

"All those comments are filtered back to the CDRP. We are one of the few partnerships in the country which has decided to open its doors in this way to let people come and observe and see that there is nothing secretive about the process."

Superintendent Dave Richardson, of Bradford Central Police, welcomed the decision to hold the meetings in public. He said: "It makes the process transparent and should reassure members of the public that everyone is working together to make Bradford a safer place.

"I hope people will take the opportunity to see for themselves the positive decisions that are being taken to tackle crime and disorder."

The multi-agency CDRP brings together representatives from local organisations and services - including the Police, Council, Probation Service, Victim Support and Chamber of Commerce.

Its three-year strategy sets key targets for tackling crimes such as domestic violence, drug dealing and racist incidents.

The first public meeting will be on April 5. The venue, start time and further details will be published in the Telegraph & Argus.

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