Police have highlighted their success in giving communities sky-high confidence and satisfaction levels by reducing anti-social behaviour as they play their part in today’s Positive Bradford event.

Positive Bradford Day celebrates the city with events such as an attempt to break the world record for the largest onion bhaji.

Entertainers, businesses, community and faith groups will showcase the city’s talents on stage in Centenary Square in an attempt to improve the city’s image. Other events include space hopper races and how to build a rocket.

Police will demonstrate their success by inviting the public to their new City Hall-based contact point to view a rogue’s gallery of recently convicted criminals.

Children will get the chance to put on a police uniform and help an officer patrol Centenary Square in a mock-up investigation to find a missing person, there will be demonstrations by the Mounted and Dog Sections and the chance to look round a police vehicle.

Superintendent Owen West, of Bradford South Police, said that anti-social behaviour was down by more than 25 per cent in a year, as officers were due to join in the Centenary Square celebrations.

He said the police were proud of the city and wanted to play a full part in its regeneration.

Among those joining in the fun activities were staff from Candalisa People recruitment agency, who put on a hula-hoop display.

Jane Vincent, who set up Positive Bradford with businessman Saleem Kader, said the day was all about changing people’s perception of the city.

She said: “With a lot of national press we are constantly being told how bad Bradford is and what we have done as an organisation is get together and say ‘look everybody, we are not wearing rose-tinted glasses, we know there are things that need changing, but things are changing and every city has its issues’.

“What we are saying is stop looking at the negative stuff and start looking at the positive, and that’s what we are showcasing on the day – community groups, faith groups, schools, businesses all coming together and encouraging everybody to start looking at what’s positive about Bradford and stop dwelling on the negative.

“We want Bradford people to come and support it – if you’re sceptical then come down and have a look.”