A NEW pilot scheme tackling organised crime in Bradford is underway, a meeting heard.

Five areas were chosen by the Home Office to run the initiative and a Bradford District Organised Crime Community Coordinator has recently been appointed.

The role looks at how police can work with the third and voluntary sector to prevent, prepare and protect communities against organised criminality.

As part of this, organisations will be able to bid for funding for early intervention work for those who are identified as vulnerable and at risk in becoming involved with organised crime gangs.

The pilot was highlighted in a meeting of the Bradford South Area Committee after Councillor Tess Peart (Lab, Tong) raised concerns about youths in Holme Wood.

She said there are "no go areas" once it gets dark and said she herself avoids going to the shop close to where she lives by herself once night falls.

A report to the committee revealed the Tong ward, which Holme Wood falls under, accounts for the largest percentage of recorded crime in Bradford South.

Addressing Cllr Peart's concerns, Inspector Shelley Slarke, who leads the Bradford South Policing Team, said it was "disheartening" to hear the concerns, as work had been underway.

She told the meeting that an operation ran over summer where at peak times officers from other ward areas focused on Holme Wood.

Insp Slarke said the issues began as youths congregating and had escalated into other offending, but the police presence had worked and had been well received by the community.

Councillors heard that a lot of the youths involved in causing the issues are currently on remand because of the work. The police report to councillors said engagement has already taken place with Tong Academy as part of the pilot scheme and there are also plans to work with primary schools within the Holme Wood area.

Elsewhere, a School Watch initiative ran in Wibsey and it's hoped that will be rolled out to other areas.

The meeting also heard about ongoing work to tackle the increasing problem of traffic light beggars across Bradford. In the City and Shipley policing areas, yellow and red warning letters have been sent out, which have then been escalated to Criminal Behaviour Orders, in an approach police said would continue.