A SPECIALIST police team has begun a week of action after an increase in reports of anti-social vehicles.

West Yorkshire Police's Operation Steerside Team has been dedicated to tackling dangerous and anti-social driving in Bradford since the initiative was launched in 2016.

It evolved in 2018 into a multi-agency partnership (consisting of representatives from Bradford Council, police, education and the fire service) and has continued ever since to proactively take on illegal use of the road.

This includes, but is not limited to: dangerous driving, speeding, untaxed vehicles, vehicles without MOTs, uninsured drivers, unlicenced drivers, drink-driving and drug-driving.

The Steerside Team is deploying extra resources all week from today, with the support of local authority partners.

This will include using innovative tactics to tackle dangerous driving.

Inspector Nick Haigh, of Bradford District Police, said: "Operation Steerside is the District’s partnership response to tackle anti-social use of motor vehicles.

"Over recent months we have seen an increase in reports of anti-social vehicles.

“We are committed to tackling this significant community concern and whilst Steerside operates seven days a week, this week provides an opportunity to enhance our response through the deployment of additional resources and support from partners to work alongside the team to focus on identifying offenders, educating drivers around the seriousness of anti-social behaviour on the roads and the impact it can have on the communities here.

“Residents can expect to see increased high visibility patrols across the district with the support of local NPT teams and PCSOs.

“We are continuously looking for ways to prevent serious accidents and the anti-social use of our road networks. Drivers can put their lives and the lives of others at risk with this type of driving.”

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford District Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “The consequences of dangerous driving are devastating, which is why we  remain committed to working with our partners in the fight against the anti-social, dangerous and illegal use of vehicles across our district.

"Working together on initiatives like this really does make a difference in making the roads of our district safer for everyone.” 

To see daily updates, you can follow the work of the Operation Steerside Team on Facebook, or on Twitter. 

Anyone with information about dangerous driving, or anti-social driving, is urged to contact the Steerside Team via 101, or using the contact options on the West Yorkshire Policee website.

You can submit dash-cam footage at: westyorkshire.police.uk/SaferRoadsSubmissions