A NEW campaign is under way to tackle the problem of street harassment and keep Bradford students safe.

Bradford Hate Crime Alliance has announced it is dedicating the next 12 months to a major awareness campaign in the city’s Great Horton area.

The Alliance will work alongside the University of Bradford, Bradford College, West Yorkshire Police Crime Commissioner, the police and Bradford Council.

Action comes amid growing concerns that students are at risk. A recent student union survey revealed more than eight out of ten students have experienced harassment in that area, said Jed Dinn of the Alliance.

Kingston 2016’s Complete University Guide named the city’s campus area as the most high risk university neighbourhood in Yorkshire.

The Alliance wants students to speak up about the problem and report incidents. Over the past two days, its campaigners have spoken to more than 1,700 students. A number of events have been lined up to highlight the campaign, including plans for students to form a human chain from Bradford College to the Great Horton traffic lights in Legrams Lane.Campaign supporters are also visiting community centres, places of worships and businesses to crank up awareness and beat street harassment, said Mr Dinn.

“We’re determined to reduce hate crime figures in this area. Students come from all over the world to study in Bradford and we don’t want them to feel unsafe.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “No-one should have to live with or fear harassment, unwanted contact or abuse. The core focus of this campaign is to raise awareness of these issues and the support available across the community, prevent incidents from happening in the first place and encourage swift reporting to the proper agencies.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, who is supporting the campaign said: “No-one should have to live with or fear harassment, unwanted contact or abuse. The core focus of this campaign is to raise awareness of these issues and the support available across the community, prevent incidents from happening in the first place and encourage swift reporting to the proper agencies.

“I am a big believer and advocate of partnership working and this is a very good example. Bradford Hate Crime Alliance are doing some really valuable work and have linked in with the police, council, college, university, local businesses including the night-time economy, and most importantly the students themselves. I am a former graduate of Bradford University and also regularly visit the Bradford College and want to ensure students, visitors and the local community are as harmonious as possible.”

Both the university and college have hate crime reporting centres on campus but in case of an emergency 999 should be dialled or 101 if it is a non-emergency.