Bradford today officially pledges to take a lead role in tackling anti-social behaviour as the district is named a priority Respect Action Area.

The designation, due to be announced this morning by Prime Minister Tony Blair, names Bradford as one of 40 areas to receive extra funding and help to target nuisance behaviour and troublesome families.

Plans have already been put in place to develop a family intervention project - an outreach-style programme which will see 20 families signing good behaviour contracts.

The Council also pledges to: l improve the quantity and quality of parenting support programmes l hold public meetings to air community concerns about safety and anti-social behaviour l use various means of enforcement to the full to tackle anti-social behaviour such as ASBOs, parenting orders, crack house closures, dispersal orders and designated public place orders such as anti-social street drinking zones l work with all registered social landlords in the district to develop local commitment to the Respect Housing Management Standard.

Deputy leader of Bradford Council Councillor Dale Smith said: "We have had great success in engaging with neighbourhoods through neighbourhood forums etcetera and ourselves and the police are very keen to build on that and create more respectful communities.

"We want to carry on improving local environments, work with young people to promote positive citizenship and support families with their parenting skills."

Superintendent Larry Sherratt, Bradford district community safety co-ordinator, said: "The introduction of Respect Action Area status will give a real boost to our ongoing work to tackle anti-social behaviour, reduce the fear of crime and improve people's quality of life."

The agenda was being launched today at the Council's Owlet Family Centre in Windhill, Shipley.

Home Office Under Secretary for Justice Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe was visiting the centre with Coun Smith to see what work is being done to support parents there.

The Government's Respect tsar' Louise Casey has previously said the areas selected to bid for the specialist status were selected on the basis of high levels of deprivation, anti-social behaviour, truancy and exclusions from school.

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

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