A new police team has been set up to crack down on crime in Otley.

Sixteen officers in three community policing teams hope to tackle crime before it happens.

The groups based in Otley, Horsforth and Weetwood will take a more proactive approach to tackling crime.

They are part of a new initiative by police to work with education and health authorities, social services and other community agencies, to combat anti-social behaviour.

Police hope the teams, consisting of a sergeant and three constables, will confront the causes of crime instead of dealing with its consequences.

The scheme is being led by Community Safety Inspector Joe Napoli, after traders expressed concerns about shoplifters targeting the town and incidents of vandalism.

Their fears were heightened in November following a series of attacks on shoppers, including a 70-year-old woman who was knocked to the ground before having her bag snatched. And security guards were deployed in Wharfemeadows Park last year to deter hooligans.

Inspector Napoli, said: "We have set up these teams to come in line with the development of the new Crime and Disorder Act and community safety measures.

"The division as a whole wants to strengthen the links it has with the community and to provide a good quality service.

"In the past the police have come along and moved people along and dealt with their offences but now we are looking at a long term solution to provide a more holistic approach to policing."

Weetwood police Inspector Les Albrow said that the new teams would be able to focus their efforts on nuisance problems affecting local communities.

"The team will be dealing with problems like youths congregating in the Otley bus stations. If there is a particular high incidences of crime identified like car crime or burglaries in an area they will also be able to spend time to focus on that. They will take on the community bobby role."

Otley town councillor Nigel Francis, who runs a stall two days a week in the town's market, welcomed the arrival of the new police teams.

He said: "I think it's a step in the right direction. If you have got a police team with good community relations people are more likely to co-operate with them because they know them and the police are more likely to know who is responsible for crimes. Drunkenness and vandalism among younger people are the two main problems in Otley. The sooner you can identify who's responsible and stop it the better."

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