Police chief vows to continue Bradford street-drinking crackdown (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Police chief vows to continue Bradford street-drinking crackdown

11:10am Thursday 24th May 2012 in News By James Rush , T&A Reporter

The new inspector in charge of policing Bradford city centre has pledged to continue a clampdown on street drinkers.

Inspector Vicky Lawrance, who has taken up the reins of the Bradford City Ward Neighbourhood Policing Team, has said she is committed to the priorities of residents and businesses.

The vow to tackle anti-social behaviour follows Operation Sacred, a six month partnership which saw anti-social behaviour incidents in the city reduced by half and drink-related violence reduced by 44 per cent.

Inspector Lawrance said: “Inspector Kevin Pickles did a tremendous job in responding to concerns surrounding anti-social drinking, which resulted in significant reductions.

“Now Inspector Pickles has taken up a role in Offender Management at Shipley, my goal is to pick up where he left off and maintain focus on the issues which matter most to the people of our city.”

In January the Telegraph & Argus reported police hailing a “clear reduction” in reports of alcohol-related crime in the city centre following a crackdown on street drinkers which saw a total of four full anti-social behaviour orders and six interim orders handed out since the start of Operation Sacred in the autumn.

Insp Lawrance said the work was continuing, with the licence of a newsagent’s in Morley Street being revoked on Monday for persistently selling alcohol to those who are underage.

She said: “Another off-licence in Park Road was also given a three-month suspension of its licence for the same reason. They received strict guidelines to adhere to including additional trained staff on duty and the installation of CCTV.

“In June, there will be an increase of officers working the City team which will help our work on initiatives such as Operation Sacred targeted anti-social drinking and Operation Gridiron which deals proactively in ensuring a safe and vibrant night time economy.”

Insp Lawrance joined the force in 1995, working for the first five years in Bradford on patrol and on a burglary team. She said: “I am therefore fully aware of the expectations which come with policing a busy city centre and of the high standards required.”

Later in her career Inspector Lawrance moved to the child and public protection unit as a Detective Inspector covering the Bradford district, managing a team which won a national award for its work around on-line child sexual exploitation.

She said: “In Bradford we are leading the way in dealing with this type of crime, having recently introduced a multi agency hub into the district which offers a bespoke service for victims and an enforcement strategy around offenders. This is an issue which can affect any community and I will be using my personal knowledge and skills to support efforts in tackling this within our neighbourhoods.

“Having returned to the Bradford South Division last year, I am under no illusion of the challenge ahead.

“I am, however; absolutely determined to make a difference to the people that live and work in our city, bringing about further reductions in crime.”