New figures revealed this week show crime in Bradford City Centre has dropped by 30 per cent in the last two years. As the Telegraph & Argus continues its Buy It In Bradford campaign reporter John Roberts looks at the work being done to keep the city streets safer than ever before for shoppers.

If you come into Bradford to commit a crime you will be seen, caught and arrested."

That is the hard-hitting message from the police inspector who is helping to drive down crime in Bradford City centre.

Inspector Steve Baker who heads up the police's city centre beat team believes Bradford is safer than ever for people to visit.

And he has backed the Telegraph & Argus Buy It In Bradford campaign to get more shoppers to see what the city has to offer.

City centre crime has fallen dramatically during the last 12 months compared with figures from two years ago.

Robberies have fallen from 159 to 48 - a drop of 70 per cent, burglaries have fallen from 487 to 228 - a drop of 55 per cent, shoplifting has fallen from 1062 to 812 - a drop of 24 per cent, and vehicle crime has fallen from 989 to 326 - a drop of 68 per cent.

Insp Baker said: "The reason for this fall in crime is the visibility of the Police Community Support Officers, (PCSOs) the council's city wardens, traffic wardens, our excellent CCTV system and our police officers on the beat.

"It is since the arrival of PCSOs and the street wardens that we have seen this fall in crime.

"A criminal is not going to do something in front of someone in a yellow jacket and the more people we have out on the beat the less likely they are to commit crime.

"But our job is not just about reducing crime it's about making it feel like the city is safer. We want people to feel that Bradford is a safe place to come and shop, work and even live with the new apartments that are being built."

Before the introduction of PCSOs and wardens there were just two police officers dedicated to patrolling the city centre beat.

But now Insp Baker can call on a team of 55 people to be the eyes and ears of the police and council efforts to keep the city safe, clean and free of crime.

Street wardens were introduced in Bradford in November 2002 and PCSOs began patrolling in the city six months later.

The PCSOs have enforcement powers and are employed to tackle low level crime.

Bradford has also had a drive to rid the city centre of anti-social behaviour, drunkeness and begging.

Police have handed out 25 ASBOS during the past two years which either prevent or place conditions on people coming into the city centre.

Regular briefings are held with PCSOs, wardens, store detectives and retailers to inform them of known shoplifters or people who are suspected of breaching their ASBO.

Insp Baker said: "We have one person who is an alcoholic and was jailed for 12 months as a result of breaching her ASBO. She has just been released and she has already been arrested six times in eight days for coming back into the city centre.

"A few years ago Bradford had a problem with a lot of drunks and beggars. It was very intimidating.

"ABOS are a useful tool for tackling these problems, they allow us to stop people like this coming into the city centre.

"About four years ago my wife and daughters came shopping in Bradford and they left after half an hour because they felt threatened.

"It is now completely different but there is still a perception problem. I would urge people to come into the city centre and see what it is like now. I have not got a vested interest in saying this - I don't run a business in the city but I think it has a lot to offer. It is not just the shops. There are also attractions like the Alhambra Theatre and the National Museum of Photography Film and Television."

Bradford retailers play their part in combating crime through the city centre beat operation by passing on information about known criminals or suspicious activity via a radio link.

Around 100 stores are involved in the scheme which allows them to contact police or community support officers if they need assistance.

However Insp Baker now wants retailers to do more to combat crime by having more visible security guards to deter would-be shoplifters.

He said Bradford Police would be holding talks with the managers of big department stores in the city to discuss the issue.

e-mail: john.roberts @bradford.newsquest.co.uk