Keighley event held to tackle problems (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Keighley event held to tackle problems

2:46pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News

Public sector workers and politicians are being urged to use their imaginations to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Keighley.

They will be brought together at an "Imagine Keighley" event to devise solutions for serious problems facing the town.

The representatives from a wide range of organisations will be asked give firm commitments to work together and share resources and information.

They will also be expected to involve community groups and people from all walks of life, with the intention of creating a safe and stronger Keighley.

Imagine Keighley, the first event from the Safer Keighley Network, is the brainchild of Bradford Council's Keighley area coordinator Jeff Bennett and his team.

The network grew out of multi-agency meetings held last year following the English Defence League rally in Keighley.

Representatives -- from police, schools, housing, child welfare and youth service -- -- wanted to respond to concerns such as drug gang related violence, anti-social behaviour and child protection issues.

Mr Bennett said Imagine Keighley was based on a successful model, used in the UK and America, which looked at what already worked in one neighbourhood then tried it in other areas.

He said: "The model was used more recently in Bracken Bank which kickstarted a significant turnaround in the fortunes of that community."