It has been a busy week in the offices of City Centre Beat.

A week during which traders, security staff, store detectives and other business representatives called at its main base in Bradford’s Kirkgate Centre to collect the latest weapon in the fight against crime – a digital radio.

The portable devices replace the analogue radios used since the crime-busting partnership was formed almost 20 years ago.

Communication between businesses is a key element in the work of the partnership, whose members include West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Council, and the Kirkgate Centre. Using the radios, traders are able to warn each other if known shoplifters or troublemakers are making their way through town.

The early-warning system worked well, but the analogue hand sets did not adequately cover all areas, particularly the inner spaces of large stores. Now, with the new, state-of-the-art digital radios, messages can be relayed clearly to offices and shop floors that were previously off the radar.

Traders are delighted. “This is an exciting time for us,” says Mirko Maric, deputy chairman of City Centre Beat. “It is of great benefit to our members and is a step towards making sure we are one step ahead of the criminals.”

Adds Steve Baker, who manages the partnership with colleague Steve Longbottom: “The reception and clarity of transmission is so much better. Businesses can talk to each other from places from which they could not communicate before.”

Since its formation in 1992, the partnership has gone from strength to strength and now has 170 traders and other businesses on its books.

They reap many benefits in addition to the radio system. Regular briefings update members on criminal activity in the city centre, giving information, including photographs, on offenders who are known shoplifters or who are involved in anti-social behaviour or other unwanted activities.

The well-attended gatherings give traders the opportunity to pass on any knowledge they may have picked up, and talk about any experiences they have had and how they dealt with them.

Information relayed at briefings – which are held weekly – can also be accessed through an intranet service, so those unable to attend have it to hand.

Meetings are held centrally at City Centre Beat's offices – it now has a second office in City Hall, in space previously occupied by the Tourist Information Centre.

“We hold meetings at each office on alternate weeks, which makes them easily accessible for everyone,” says Steve Baker, joint manager of the partnership with colleague Steve Longbottom.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of members attending, which means that more intelligence is going out to other businesses. This is helping to reduce offences of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.”

City Centre Beat has been working with West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Council and businesses to target anti-social behaviour with much success. This year, the number of incidents in the city centre have fallen by 25 per cent over the past six months.

“A lot of businesses had complained, especially in the Rawson Square area,” says Steve Baker. “Together we have targeted those areas and confiscated alcohol – as a result we have seen a phenomenal reduction in incidents.”

Brendan Birkett, loss prevention officer at Waterstones, says the partnership has helped to reduce thefts from the store. “You get to know the faces of those who are coming into your store with the intention of committing crime. The radio system allows us to get advance warning as to when those people are approaching. It is helping to cut the number of thefts as you can stop people before they come in.”

Kirkgate Centre manager and chairman of City Centre Beat Catherine Riley says the new radios will help in situations where help is required.

“Not only are they clearer, but we will now know where the message is coming from. It is not often that someone is in distress, but if they are, we will now be able to identify where that call is coming from and respond.”

Says security officer at Primark Mubashar Hassan: “Sometimes people are aggressive and threaten staff. We need to be in constant communication and be able to draft in help occasionally.” He credits the partnership with helping to make staff feel more secure.

The £6-a-week hire fee for the radios is ploughed back into the partnership.

“City Centre Beat is getting stronger and stronger,” says Mirko Maric. “It benefits businesses and those visiting the city centre.”