A GROWING number of police-led schemes designed to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across Bradford city centre are beginning to have a significant impact, officers have said.

Projects such as 'Reach Out for Bradford', which began last month, are now said to be engaging with some of the "most hardened" offenders, and as part of a new drive to reduce shoplifting, officers were able to limit the number of shop thefts to just a single incident over a 24-hour period last week.

Two days of police action have now been held focusing on minimising the effects of retail crime, and Inspector Andrew Gallant, of the Bradford City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said the continued success of all projects relied on city centre partners working closely to target and support offenders.

"Both days were productive because officers were able to remain visible in the community, allowing shops to trade without distraction, and city centre users to go about their business without disruption," he said.

"It is key that we continue to apply these principles daily, working with partners to identify and target thieves before they have the opportunity to commit crime.

"Success is best measured over a longer period of time."

As part of the latest day of action, police provided retailers with high-visibility tabards to ensure a visible deterrent in at-risk city centre stores, and issued 17 'direction to leave' notices, banning known thieves from the area for a period of 48 hours.

Three "prolific" thieves attempted to return to the city centre, but were promptly arrested and charged with breaching the orders.

Inspector Gallant highlighted the Reach Out for Bradford project, which aims to support people affected by housing, clothing, and drug and alcohol issues, as key in engaging with vulnerable individuals whose issues may force them to turn to crime.

The scheme is being coordinated by the City Centre NPT, but is also combining the resources and expertise of existing charities, outreach workers, and government agencies.

Alongside NPT staff, those volunteering their time, decked out in distinctive purple hoodies, have included representatives from Horton Housing, Change Agents, Bradford Day Shelter, ARCH futures, West Yorkshire Finding Independence, The Piccadilly Project, Out Reach, and wardens from Bradford Council.

In the first month of the project, volunteers have provided individuals with clothing and food vouchers to prevent them resorting to begging, arranged numerous drug and alcohol interventions, and organised housing and medical support for those in need.

Sergeant Mike Bonner, of the City Centre NPT, said: "This week the team will be splitting the city into different sectors to ensure we engage with as wide a group as possible.

"This is only possible due to the increasing number of volunteers we are seeing week-on-week, as the scheme goes from strength to strength.

"Some of the most hardened city centre offenders are now coming on board accessing support for housing need, which shows that the Reach Out group are accepted and respected in the city."

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

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