To many young people on Ravenscliffe estate in Bradford it's just another empty building.

Some people will remember what the building was once used for, in the days when bobbies were on the beat and everyone knew the local policeman.

The police box was a contact point for residents and helped create that sense of security many people believe is lacking today.

But Eccleshill police are going back to basics in their efforts to reduce the fear of crime.

One of their initiatives is to reopen the police box as a contact point for local people.

Community safety officer Sergeant Paul Jeffrey said: "The contact point will make the police more accessible to the community.

"Initially, it will be open for two hours a week, but we will be flexible in response to demand from the community."

The idea of opening the building came from PC Debbie Hill, the local officer for Ravenscliffe and Greengates. The building, on Harrogate Road, had not been used as a regular policing point for six years.

PC Hill, one of the Shipley and Eccleshill Community Action Team set up earlier this year to tackle crime at its roots, said: "Local people can come here and see me about anything in confidence."

The action team is made up of two sergeants and 16 police constables, each constable being responsible for a geographical area to focus on solving problems through analysis and local knowledge.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney, who officially opened the police box yesterday, said: "I am sure PC Hill will make a big presence on the estate and I hope residents use this facility."

Eccleshill's divisional commander, Superintendent David Collins, said the police were there to serve the community and needed the community's support. "Local residents are our eyes and ears."

The box opens to the public for the first time this Friday from 9am to 11am.

It will then open 9-11am on September 2, 16, 30 and October 14 and 28. It is open from 2pm to 4pm on August 19, September 9 and 23 and October 7 and 21.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.