In recent years the level of crime in Bradford city centre has been falling, thanks largely to the introduction of high-visibility patrols by street wardens and Police Community Support Officers.

Shoppers, shop owners and their staff and city-centre workers have been able to go about their business with greater confidence.

Unfortunately, though, the criminals seem to have begun to gain the upper hand again, with reported increases in shoplifting, robbery and vehicle crime.

That is bad news for all concerned - not least the shop workers who find themselves being intimidated by people wanting to steal to feed their drugs habit.

It has obvious financial and staffing implications for retail businesses if theft undermines their profits and good staff leave for their own safety's sake.

Nor does it inspire shoppers' confidence if they think they are more likely to be robbed or have their cars damaged.

Clearly it is time for a renewal of the campaign against the lawbreakers if what has been described as "the human cost" of city-centre crime is to be reduced again.

The package of measures included in the City Centre Beat, which was launched today as an alliance between businesses and the police, should help to get the message across to the criminals that if they come to Bradford to commit a crime, they are likely to be caught.

Let's hope that every business in the city centre signs up to the scheme. The more united the front, the greater the chances of once again making Bradford a safer, more relaxed place to shop and work.