A police initiative to cut crime over Christmas has been hailed a success with a massive reduction in burglaries and violent crime.

Traditionally, the festive period sees an increase in robberies, burglaries and shoplifting.

But police in the Eccleshill division of Bradford have managed to stop that trend, with some areas having a 50 per cent reduction in burglaries.

They have targeted hot spots - identified by hi-tech analysis - in a bid to stamp down on the criminal.

There has also been an increase in high-profile patrols throughout the division to reassure the public and reduce the fear of crime.

Pubs and clubs were also targeted, with information issued about serving customers who were already drunk.

Other schemes running included:

high visibility patrols at shopping centres;

patrols of supermarket car parks;

crime prevention advice circulated to Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.

Chief Inspector Phil Sedgwick, of Eccleshill police, said: "In Bradford Moor and Ravenscliffe we have cut burglaries by 50 per cent. In the division as a whole, violent crime has dropped by 25 per cent.

"A lot of this is to do with the autumn and Christmas initiatives we have set up and the partnerships with have developed with other agencies."

In December 1997 there were 215 burglaries in the Eccleshill division, compared to just over 100 in December 1998.

PC Jonathan Pickles, of the community safety unit at Eccleshill, said: "Our aim was to pull out all the stops to give the majority of law-abiding residents a safe and happy Christmas."

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