Bradford trading estate war on criminals

Around 40 companies have joined the Euroway Watch group, which is trying to find ways of tackling break-ins, theft and vandalism which has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Euroway Watch secretary Carol Watkinson, finance director of building firm H B Projects, said installing extra security measures and paying for on-site cover at night and weekends had cost four firms more than £200,000.

The group liaises with the police – who provide bike patrols at certain times – and is pressing Bradford Council, which owns part of the estate, to cut back overgrown areas to smarten it up and improve visability.

Carol Watkinson said Euroway Watch was aiming to raise funds to provide regular security patrols and provide cover for those firms that could not afford their own measures.

The estate’s situation next to the M606 was both an advantage and a problem. It provided firms with quick access to the road network but also offered criminals an easy escape route.

Carol said: “Break-ins, thefts and damage to property has been a problem for most firms on the estate and is very costly. Although the police are very good, there is a need for more security.

“One of the issues is there is no single owner to take responsibility for security or one point of contact. Euroway Watch was formed to provide a self-help group to raise awareness of the problems and raise funds to do something about it on behalf of companies here.

“Installing extra security measures has cost my own firm £50,000 so combating this crime is an expensive business.”

The group also wanted a new lorry park on the Euroway, both to provide extra security and ease parking problems.

Carol Watkinson said more regular buses, to help reduce car usage, were needed and hoped the proposed Low Moor station would also help.

She urged Bradford Council to take more of an interest in the estate, regard as one of the city’s premier business parks.