'Police welcome cut in alcohol crimes.’ The headline – one of a number that appeared in the Telegraph & Argus – hailed the reduction in reports of alcohol-related crime following a crackdown on street drinkers.

The success of that purge through the initiative Operation Sacred has been attributed to a number of agencies working together.

This partnership, involving work by dedicated teams offering differing resources and expertise, has targeted troublemakers and helped them to take steps towards a better life.

West Yorkshire Police, Horton Housing, the Integrated Offender Management Unit, the alcohol treatment agency the Piccadilly Project, plus representatives from other agencies including the Primary Care Trust, Bradford Council and City Centre Beat, all make a vital input.

“Once people begin working with the partnership, the arrest rate falls – we have had such positive feedback,” says Jez Barrett, co-ordinator of the Integrated Offender Management Unit, made up of representatives from Bradford Probation Service, drug service providers and West Yorkshire Police.

“Some people have come to us and made such a change to their lives that gone on to deliver programmes to help others.”

The unit was approached by Operation Sacred to work with a number of people in the Bradford area who caused problems through drink and anti-social behaviour. Initially, 15 people were identified, some with convictions.

Each person is allocated a key worker who meets them regularly and tells them about the help that is available. “They point them in the direction of the other partners, such as Horton Housing or the Piccadilly Project, and they try to encourage them to start a programme of treatment,” says Jez.

The partners meet for a case conference every six weeks to discuss each person’s background before deciding whether to proceed.

Adds Jez: “We have police support, and if the person will not engage, an officer will visit them and try to urge them to join.”

The take-up rate is high. Out of ten individuals with either anti-social behaviour orders or interim orders, nine are being helped by the partnership, and another is being assisted elsewhere, having moved away.

Between them, the partners deal with hundreds of clients, and working directly with street drinkers has resulted in more people approaching them each of them for help.

“We had immediate initial success and then more people came forward wanting help, so we have signposted other projects, primarily the Piccadilly Project,” says Malcolm Lightowler, of Horton Housing and Substance Support Team.

“Some people are dual-substance users who will be directed towards the drug treatment charity the Bridge Project.”

Horton Housing, which now has almost 200 clients, can help people get access to free food, clean clothes and shower facilities. “PCSOs and police officers know we are on the street and ring us,” says Malcolm.

“Rather than arresting people for anti-social behaviour, they hand them to us and they get plugged straight in. We go to the Piccadilly Project and they carry out an assessment. It can be done in minutes, whereas before it could have been weeks.”

Adds substance support officer with Horton Housing Charlotte Morel: “We reach out to them on a street level. Before we relied on people attending for hot meals, but now we have the resources to seek them out.

“A lot of offending surrounds personal needs – some people get into trouble to get locked up for the night, for somewhere to sleep. If we sort the housing issues out, they won’t offend. By helping them with their needs we are removing them from the circle of offending.”

The success of the work has been highlighted by comments from city centre traders, who have noticed a reduction in the number of problematic incidents.

“They now have intense support – they know people are there to help them,” says Gary Malcolmson, project co-ordinator with the Piccadilly Project. We work hard to make sure they get that support and that we don’t lose contact.”

On some occasions individuals, whose lives can be “chaotic” will be taken to their appointments. “We want them to know that we are all here to help and that support will make a difference. It may not be instant, but it is chipping away.

“We’ve had ex-users who have gone on to counsel current alcohol and drug-users.”

“With people focusing on them they feel someone cares – they are not just getting thrown in a cell,” adds Charlotte.

“They have counselling and therapy. This partnership is about talking to people and finding out what is going on in their heads and what can be done to help them.”