Five banned from Bradford city centre (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Five banned from Bradford city centre

6:10am Saturday 20th June 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

• Play Video

Five prolific criminals, who have been arrested more than 100 times between them, have been banned from more than 150 Bradford city centre shops.

It is estimated they could have stolen thousands of pounds of goods and had a devastating effect on the local economy, as well as causing continued aggravation to shop staff.

Now they have all been banned from going into any of the City Centre Beat shops, which includes the Kirkgate Centre and the Oastler Centre.

And if they breach the ban in the next two years, Ajmal Hussain, 25, of Manningham, Majid Matloob, 33, of Pollard Park, Aidan Kirkby, 33, of Little Horton, Alvin Cross, 44, of Little Horton, and Anne Wilson, 34, of Barkerend, could be served with full ASBOs.

The five were given banning letters by Bradford City Centre Beat, a crime-fighting partnership between traders, police and Bradford Council.

Steve Baker, manager of the City Centre Beat, said: “In the last two years, between them these five people have been arrested more than 100 times.

“You can probably times that by ten if you take into account the times they have got away with it. It adds up to thousands and thousands of pounds worth of thefts, not to mention harassment of shop staff. They have a serious impact on the economy.”

Mr Baker said shop workers should be allowed to feel safe while earning their living without being harassed by repeat offenders.

He said: “The arrests relate mainly to shoplifting, but also damage, assault, burglary, fraud, deception and harassment.”

Shoplifters employed many techniques, he said, including changing their appearance on a regular basis so as not to be recognised.

He said: “We want to publish their pictures so the public knows who these people are.

“Criminals like anonymity and when they realise they are known, they will stop coming to Bradford city centre and causing problems.”

Mr Baker said the crime figures showed that Bradford city centre was generally a “very safe” place and added that the predicted rise in crime due to the credit crunch had not materialised.

Any businesses interested in joining City Centre Beat should call him on (01274) 722443 or go to citycentrebeat.co.uk e-mail: will.kilner @telegraphandargus.co.uk

• Comment