City centre workers are at the forefront of a new personal safety campaign.

Staff at the employment agency Connexions in John Street, Bradford, were the first to benefit from a video demonstration by the City Centre Street Wardens service.

The idea, based on a presentation by West Yorkshire Police's crime prevention unit, aims to help commercial and business staff, mostly women, to avoid becoming victims of crime.

The demonstration yesterday, by wardens David Ramsden and Cameron Harrison, gives employees tips on how to protect themselves.

City Centre Wardens manager Steve Longbottom said the idea came about after patrolling wardens realised some members of staff were concerned about safety issues, like walking back to their cars in the dark.

He said: "A lot of the concerns were from female members of staff in business premises across the city. The wardens were aware of a presentation available from the police regarding personal safety and they adapted that for their own demonstration which they are offering to businesses within the city centre. We have had a positive response so far."

Mr Longbottom said the advice would primarily help women but was relevant to all staff. "It is about measures they can take to avoid becoming a victim of crime. We don't want to put out the message that crime is rife, but at the same time we want to educate people to make sure they do not become victims of crime."

The advice offered includes not walking in the shadow of buildings where people might be lurking, trying to avoid isolated or badly-lit bus stops, and for women not to leave items on display in their car which suggests a woman will be going back to it.

Mr Longbottom said: "There has to be an element of risk to some of the things we do in our daily lives but we are trying to eliminate unnecessary risks and make people aware."

Bradford Chamber of Commerce, fashion stores and solicitors firms have also expressed an interest in seeing the presentation, which also highlights keeping safe on public transport.

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton, who is also chairman of the Safer Communities Partnership, said: "We are making real progress in making the city a safer place to live and work and this campaign will build on that."