Police and health bosses joined forces at Bradford Royal Infirmary yesterday to officially launch the restructuring of neighbourhood policing in the district.

The changes will mean police officers working more closely with communities and partner agencies to further localise services. One such team is based at BRI.

Neighbourhood policing teams in Bradford have been increased from 12 to 30, matching Council ward areas. The number of NPT inspectors has halved, but each ward has a sergeant and the numbers of front-line officers and PCSOs have been maintained.

Police say they are adjusting officers’ shift patterns to meet the needs of communities.

Chief Constable Mark Gilmore said working with the public and partners was a success and “is what communities tell us they want” to better understand local issues and needs.

He said that working together at the BRI was “a wonderful example of coming together to do that”, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and keeping people and their belongings safe.

Mr Gilmore added: “This is a truly exciting time for West Yorkshire Police.”

Bradford divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Atkin, added: “I am committed to providing the people of Bradford district with a policing service which reflects the needs of its communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson said: “This is the way we want to do neighbourhood policing in the future, working together where we can and reducing calls to the police service. The BRI has put in funding to pay for three PCSOs. They can deal with things as and when they occur. Neighbourhood Policing Teams continue to be the bedrock of policing in our communities.”

Bryan Millar, chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is a great example of partnership working to really good effect. The staff feel good about it and patients like to see the police presence. It has been effective in reducing incidents and creating a positive feel around the hospital site.”

Councillor Imran Hussain, Bradford Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for safer communities, said: “The staff and patients feel a lot safer, and it has dramatically reduced the number of police call-outs and police time which can now be spent on other situations.”