A MEETING was held to discuss concerns about anti-social and criminal behaviour blighting an area of Great Horton.

It was organised by Bradford South MP Judith Cummins to discuss the problems in the Beldon Road area and the progress being made to tackle them. 

She was joined by local councillors Joanne Dodds and Tariq Hussain, Chief Superintendent Alisa Newman and Ian Day, Bradford Council's Assistant Director for Neighbourhoods.

Mrs Cummins said people would lose confidence in the police and Bradford Council's ability to act if they didn’t see effective action to stop the behaviour they've had to endure.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Cummins said: “It is obvious that this cannot continue. Local people have had to put up with anti-social behaviour in this area for too long.

"I am glad that police and other services are acting and treating this matter seriously. They have committed to keeping me informed of progress made on a regular basis.”

Councillor Dodds added: “Local councillors have been working hard to get the police, council and community to work better together.

"The joint patrol by PCSOs, Council Wardens and local community activists certainly will help, as will the diaries handed out to the community to provide useable intelligence on those who behave in an anti-social and criminal manner. I appeal to residents to report any incident they see.”

Councillor Hussain said the young age of those involved is a "concern to us all". 

He added: "I approve of the active steps being taken to engage the young people and to direct them towards more positive activities, but at the end of the day we have to protect the law-abiding citizens by utilising effective sanctions against those who cannot be diverted away from their anti-social behaviour.”

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “Joint working must continue over the long term.

"I am pleased to see that a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is being set up. This will help to link up local residents and partners in their efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.”