A NEW police-led scheme designed to give a helping hand to vulnerable people in Bradford city centre has got off to a successful start.

Reach Out For Bradford aims to highlight the support offered on a daily basis to individuals who are affected by housing, clothing, and drug and alcohol issues.

The project is being coordinated by the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), combining the resources and expertise of existing charities, outreach workers, and government agencies.

A group of around 20 volunteers, all decked out in purple hoodies, will join forces for two hours every Wednesday morning in the run-up to Christmas to identify at-risk individuals and direct them to the most appropriate support available.

The scheme is working in tandem with recent policing successes in targeting premises and locations which are linked to anti-social behaviour.

Sergeant Mike Bonner, of the City Centre NPT, said although the group have only come together twice, there was already a "real energy" about the scheme, which has been backed by many local business owners.

"I have been delighted with the response from local people who care about Bradford," he said.

"There is so much good work going on day-to-day, but often the job of the police is to go and sweep up when there's been an issue.

"Rather than just being at that end of it, I felt it was important that we started to get involved with actually diverting people away from crime and anti-social behaviour by making sure they're aware of the services that are out there.

"We want to make sure people know about the opportunities available to help get their lives back on track."

Alongside NPT staff, those volunteering their time so far have included representatives from Horton Housing, Change Agents, Bradford Day Shelter, ARCH futures, West Yorkshire Finding Independence, and wardens from Bradford Council.

In their first day of action, volunteers provided a young couple with food vouchers, warm clothing and bedding, to ensure they could eat and stop them being forced to beg on city centre streets.

Clare Flannigan, from Horton Housing, which provides crisis interventions for people affected by street homelessness, said: "It's vital to work in partnership to deliver a joint approach.

"Working together and pooling resources and expertise is the only way it can work.

"Just speaking to the other groups involved highlights the good work that is going on."

Sergeant Bonner is hoping to extend the scheme beyond Christmas, expanding the project to involve public volunteers and additional support agencies.

"By bringing people together for a couple of hours a week, we're not only making ourselves visible to the community, we're also making each agency aware of one another to make sure we help everyone we can," he said.

"It is about reaching out to individuals, reaching out on specific issues, but more than anything, we're reaching out to Bradford, to make a physical difference in the city."

For more information, visit the City Centre NPT Facebook page.