TRADERS are being urged to sign up to a scheme designed to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.

Police and businesses from Bradford South met on Thursday night to hear about a Shop Watch scheme which will be piloted in the Wibsey, Wyke and Royds wards.

But it’s hoped more people will come on board after only a handful of businesses turned up to the meeting.

Inspector Shelley Slarke, who leads the Bradford South Area Neighbourhood Team, said officers had canvassed 249 shops and received around 100 responses from people who were interested in setting up the scheme, which was brought about by Bradford South MP Judith Cummins.

It would see police and businesses working together, with information and photographs of those offending in the area being shared with traders signed up to the programme. WhatsApp groups would also be set up for the businesses involved to share information. Inspector Slarke told those at the meeting that there needs to be at least 10 businesses involved in each area in order for the scheme to run.

She said: “I really believe in this scheme, I believe it will make a difference.

“Speak to people in your area. Try and garner that support from the other businesses to get 10 from each area, so we can get this up and running,”

Kevin Wilson, who runs a shop in Low Moor, said traders pass on names and try to help police, but “nothing is done”.

He said: “I considered selling the shop, it’s not good at all.” He described groups entering his shop as “out of control”.

Inspector Slarke said her team were there to try and resolve issues and said: “We are committed to getting this off the ground,”

She said the scheme would see people dealing with the same officers every time and the infrastructure is in place for it to begin, but support from businesses is crucial.

“Lets work together to get this scheme off the ground,” she said.

“It does work, we just need those additional people to come on board.”

If successful in the pilot areas, it could be rolled across Bradford South.

Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) told the meeting: “We will support the businesses where we can, to the best of our abilities.”

Representatives for the Wyke and Royds wards put themselves forward at the meeting.