A campaign to reduce alcohol-related crime and harm takes place in the Bradford district next week with the aim of raising awareness of the effects of alcohol misuse and to promote sensible drinking.

During Alcohol Awareness Week, which starts next Monday, agencies in the Bradford Community Safety Partnership will join forces to highlight the harm alcohol can cause and also the work done to tackle problems caused by irresponsible drinking.

Police will be stepping up operations against drink driving, underage drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

Bradford Council, police, the fire and rescue service, NHS and alcohol treatment and partner agencies are to run special awareness-raising sessions and public events are planned to warn people of the consequences of drink driving.

The emergency services will be simulating a rapid response to a drink-driving car accident and alcohol agencies will be on hand to give out information and chat to people about alcohol.

These ‘one-for-the-road’ drink driving accident events take place in Bradford Centenary Square on October 18 from 11.30am to 1.30pm and Keighley Asda car park on October 19 from 1pm to 2.30pm.

Bradford Council youth workers will be touring the Bradford district in a special exhibition van highlighting alcohol misuse and encouraging young people to think carefully about the impact drink can have on them and others.

Bradford District Care Trust is hosting a regional seminar for health professionals to meet and explore alcohol care and management in hospitals.

During the week, specially-trained year 12 student ‘peer educators’ will run interactive lessons for Year 8 pupils about the risks and dangers of alcohol.

Alcohol misuse is a national problem and in Bradford it is no worse than most large northern cities. Local agencies recognise it is a serious issue which has wide-ranging social and health impacts.

Councillor Imran Hussain, deputy leader of Bradford Council said: “Alcohol misuse can have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.

“Local agencies work very hard to tackle and prevent the problems caused by excessive and anti-social drinking. Education, regulation, enforcement and rehabilitation are all important strands of our approach.”

Angela Williams, temporary police Chief Superintendant, Bradford South Division, said: “Tackling drunkenness, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled violence is a key priority for West Yorkshire Police. Alcohol is linked to all types of violent crime and the police and our partners are determined to tackle this issue across the district.”

Shopkeeper had to call police twice to clear drinkers

Police have further pledged their commitment to tackling street drinking in Bradford city centre after a businessman reported more alcoholics behaving anti-socially.

Jeff Frankel, owner of Sydney’s jewellers, was forced to call police twice in 20 minutes after a group of drinkers gathered outside his premises.

Mr Frankel said he asked a group of four men, drinking from cans outside his shop, to move on. When they refused, he called police.

But before officers arrived, the group began walking up and down past the shop entrance, and Mr Frankel again contacted the police.

He said: “I am not happy with the response. It puts people off coming when these people are marching up and down drinking. Why should normal people be put off because of 40 mindless louts?

“The system is wrong. These people laugh at the police. When the uniforms turn up, they go away. When the police have gone, they come back. Maybe some of the officers should be in plain clothes.”