BUSINESS Watch schemes will be set up across parts of Bradford following a spate of break-ins which left traders counting the cost.

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins organised a meeting with senior police officers and representatives from the Council to discuss concerns.

Mrs Cummins said traders spoke about the rise of vandalism and burglaries and told police that without help, the future of many businesses was under threat.

In response to the concerns, the police and Council agreed to work with ward councillors and businesses to set up a Business Watch in all wards of the constituency.

Each area will develop an action plan designed to tackle crime and address other local business concerns.

Mrs Cummins said: “I’m grateful to the police and Bradford Council for agreeing to urgently meet not only me but more importantly the local traders who have been directly affected by crime in Bradford South.

“I was reassured by the seriousness with which the police and the Council treated the concerns raised with them. I fully support the roll-out of Business Watches across Bradford South, as I am absolutely determined to help local businesses survive, grow and create more jobs.”

Mrs Cummins is encouraging people to fill out her business survey, which can be found through judithcummins.org.uk.

She added: “Our hard working police are over-stretched after facing a one third cut to their budgets whilst local communities are suffering with growing levels of crime. We must make sure that those who keep us safe have the resources they need.”

Wyke was one area where concerns had been raised about the level of crime, with one business being hit five times. Jessica Evans, who owns three businesses in the village - The Sweetie People, Gifts by The Sweetie People and The Ice Cream People - spoke out following the incidents. In one, around £4,000 of stock was stolen and in another two slush machines worth £6,000 were stolen. 

Inspector Daniel Ware, who leads the Bradford South Area Neighbourhood Team, said: “We have acted upon the concerns of local businesses in Wyke following a spate of burglaries earlier this year and have been working with them and other partners on measures to reduce this and associated crime, such as criminal damage.

“Figures for June to August this year show that burglaries of businesses and community outlets in Wyke have fallen by almost half compared to the previous three months, while criminal damage involving business and community outlets has also reduced considerably in that time.  

“It is hoped that by working closely with local businesses through initiatives such as Business Watch we will be able to achieve further reductions in these crime types across the Wyke area and across Bradford South as a whole.”

Meanwhile, three juveniles have been sent to young offender institutions for crimes committed in the Bierley, Holme Wood and Buttershaw areas.

One 15-year-old male was charged with taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, threats with an offensive weapon, theft from a shop and robbery. He was sentenced to 12 months on August 29.

Another 15-year-old male was charged with three thefts from shop, three breaches of a criminal behaviour order, section 20 wounding, assault, resisting arrest and threatening and abusive behaviour. He was sentenced to eight months on September 13.

A 17-year-old male was charged with six breaches of bail and theft from a shop. He was sentenced to eighteen months on September 4

And two 15-year-old males and an 11-year-old male received cautions following a raid at the P ‘n’ K’s Corner store in Wyke.