The combined powers of police community support officers and street wardens have seen a massive reduction in city centre crime since their introduction in Bradford.

There are 13 wardens and 30 PCSOs patrolling the streets and between them they have managed to cut crime from 6,000 to 4,000 offences over the last three years.

The number of robberies has reduced from 167 to 49; shoplifting is down from 1,065 to 855; vehicle crime has reduced from 1,200 to 380 and the number of city centre burglaries has halved from 500 to 250.

City Centre Police Inspector Steve Baker said: "Overall crime has reduced by 40 per cent in this area since the introduction of wardens and police community support officers, so it is a safer place to be - but we are not resting until we can drive down crime even further."

This month the officers and wardens are joining up again to warn shoppers to be on their guard for purse snatchers and shoplifters during the festive season.

They are working with Kirkgate Centre security staff and city centre businesses to hand out leaflets and advice on crime prevention.

Insp Baker said experience has shown that in the weeks leading up to Christmas criminal activity such as shoplifting, stealing from bags and purses, begging, anti-social drinking and illegal street trading also increases.

He said: "Operation Gabriel will be running throughout December in an effort to reduce the number of thefts occurring in and around Bradford city centre.

"We are targeting a number of banned people from the Kirkgate centre and hope to deter others that are also prolific within our area. It is our intention to ensure visitors and workers in Bradford are safe and secure when they are here."

Every day throughout December, street wardens will be carrying out high visibility patrols in the main shopping areas.

Councillor Kris Hopkins, the leader of Bradford Council and co-chairman of the Safer Communities Partnership, said: "Since the introduction of street wardens in 2002 and community support officers in 2003, crime levels in the city centre have significantly reduced.

"This is the time of year when criminals will seize every opportunity to cash in on other people's celebrations. We are warning people to keep their handbags and bags in view and report any criminal behaviour to the street wardens or community support officers."

Also helping to drive down crime is the fact more than 90 businesses have joined the recently introduced City Centre Beat anti-crime partnership, using state-of-the-art radios linked to the CCTV control room and the police.

The radios, which are carried by street wardens, police officers, community support officers and security officers, allow them to share information on known offenders.

A display stand containing advice for shoppers will be in the Kirkgate Centre leading up to Christmas.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk