Crime is a huge problem which affects everyone. Yet there remains a big temptation to leave it to the police to sort it out. Many ordinary people do not see it as their responsibility, beyond grumbling about it.

However, there is a lot that the public can do. The other day we mentioned the problems of truancy and how parents need to get to grips with it. Truancy can lead on to petty crime, perhaps to drug-taking, which can in turn lead on to burglary and even more serious crimes.

By fully involving themselves with the reasons for truancy, parents can influence the root causes of crime. That approach can be adapted to all sorts of different levels. Not only families but also community groups and organisations can have an input.

That is the thinking behind the latest initiative - the audit to be carried out by Bradford Council and the police under the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. A wide range of public, private and voluntary agencies have been asked to take part and highlight issues and areas of concern, after which a strategy will be devised to tackle them.

It could prove to be a vitally important initiative, forging a new partnership between the public and the police to make the district a safer place for us all. But if it is to succeed, it is important that those groups and individuals approached give the audit their time and attention.

Everyone has a view on crime and what should be done about it. Here is a rare opportunity to turn those grumbles into constructive action.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.