Communities in the Bradford district are to be given an insiders’ guide to the life of the emergency services through a major project to open up police stations to the public.

Police are to hold open days at stations across the district to give people the chance to have a look at the way police work, including guided tours by officers.

Colleagues in the fire and ambulance services will also be sending staff and vehicles for some of the open days to be held in the Bradford area and Keighley from next week.

Vehicle displays, stalls, tours around police stations and cell areas and special events for children such as face painting will all be included.

Other highlights at some of the events will include displays by a vintage police car and police horses, visits by puppies from the Police Dog Section, free bike postcoding and remote controlled go-karting.

Firearms support officers will also be present at some events to provide displays, as will colleagues from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Chief Inspector Steve Thomas, of Airedale and North Bradford Police, said: “These open days are the largest events of their kind yet staged in Bradford. Talks and tours around the stations will be carried out by the officers and detectives who work in them, allowing visitors to really get a taste of what we do and what life is like for the officers.”

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Paul Hepworth, of Bradford South Police, said it was hoped the project will strengthen the relationship between police and communities.

He said: “By inviting members of the community into our stations, we aim to strengthen confidence in the police and dispel some of the myths which surround policing in Bradford.

“Increasing confidence in policing will only encourage residents to be more willing to report crime and issues of concern to us, helping us all make communities safer.”

OPEN DAYS

  • July 17, 11am to 3pm Lawcroft House Police Station, Lilycroft Road, Bradford.
  • July 24, 11am to 3pm, Javelin House Police Station, Javelin Close, Eccleshill.
  • July 25, 11am to 3pm Shipley Police Station, Manor Lane, Shipley.
  • July 31, 11am to 3pm Airedale House Police Station, Royd Ings, Keighley.
  • August 1, 11am to 3pm, Trafalgar House Police Station, Nelson Street, Bradford.