Eccleshill police are returning to basics to tackle problems at a grass roots level by putting bobbies back on the beat. Crime Reporter Ashley Broadley joined PC Debbie Hill, right, in the rain in Ravenscliffe.

A major gripe often expressed about the police is that people rarely see bobbies on the beat.

Many residents believe a police presence, with officers pounding the streets of Bradford on a regular basis, will help cut crime.

Statistically, that is not true. Police on the beat very rarely catch criminals in the act - and, being on foot, are slower to respond to incidents. It is more effective to target specific problems.

But there is no doubt that a local police officer patrolling the area gives peace of mind in a society where too many people are victims of crime.

PC Debbie Hill, an officer with 13 years' experience, has been given Ravenscliffe and Greengates as her patch to patrol as part of a new initiative set up by Eccleshill police.

I met her in the hi-tech briefing room at Eccleshill police station, along with her colleagues. They listened intently to their boss, Sgt Dave Sloman, who was highlighting hotspots of criminal activity and suspects in the division.

Then it was time to hit the streets - just as the heavens opened and the rain came down.

Undeterred, we walked the streets of the Ravenscliffe estate, its empty houses looking even more depressing in the murky weather.

The streets were deserted, apart from the occasional stray dog looking for shelter from the rain.

Often the victim of bad publicity, Ravenscliffe is sometimes perceived as a hotbed of crime, riddled with drug problems and a no-go area - especially at night.

It is a distorted perception. Of course, the estate has its problems - but so do many areas in the Bradford district.

PC Hill will be aiming to tackle these problems at a grass roots level. She is keen for people to get in touch with her, tell them about their concerns and try to solve problems.

"It's called problem-orientated policing," said PC Hill.

"I'm the contact for members of the public rather than them telephoning the police station.

"One of my aims is to open the old police box at the end of Ravenscliffe Avenue, and to use it as a 'surgery' on some weekends. People can come and see me there rather than me call at houses."

PC Hill also stressed that other agencies will be involved to try and solve problems.

"An example would be an off-licence selling alcohol to under-age children. An agency which would get involved for that problem would be trading standards", she said.

"Or if a household was playing music too loud and being a nuisance then the Council would be called in to help."

Local residents are full of praise at the new initiative.

Sixty-year-old Margaret Borrie said: "I think it's good the police will be walking around here."

Margaret McArdle, 62, said: "We have problems with young people causing damage. If the police are around, I think it could help stop that."

Dominic Sheeran said: "I think the more police officers know the area, the more effective they will be. It is good that an officer will be working more closely with the community."

PC Hill said: "You often read bad things about Ravenscliffe. But there's a lot of people doing good, positive things on the estate."

The Eccleshill and Shipley Community Action Team is made up of sixteen police officers - all with their own area.

We trudged out of the estate, wet and windswept, and back to the warmth of the police station. Fortunately, the only problem we had encountered was how to keep dry.

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