Estates across the district are to be purged of crime and litter as part of a new council and police crackdown.

More than 40 police officers and 20 members of Bradford Council's street cleaning service spent yesterday on Shipley's Windhill estate talking to residents about their needs and improving the area.

It was the first in a number of similar action days planned across the division, which will target areas they deem to be hotspots for crime.

The day was a joint venture by the Council and the police, and co-ordinated by the Shipley anti-crime partnership.

Its co-ordinator Sheila Brett said: "This is a high crime area and it's an area where people need reassurance and help with crime prevention. It is nice to do lots of things on one day."

West Yorkshire Police spent the day meeting members of the public, following up complaints and incident reports, visiting victims of burglaries and identifying abandoned vehicles and premises vulnerable to burglary.

Drugs teams were also out in force, warrants were executed and arrests were made for a variety of crimes.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Sidney, divisional commander of Keighley Police which covers Shipley, said: "Along with other agencies we are here to show police presence, deal with crime, and give reassurances to the community that we are here to listen and to help.

"We will be maintaining our presence within Windhill."

She added that police community support officers were also gathering information about anti-social behaviour and low-level crimes which were affecting residents' quality of life.

Meanwhile, Council officers removed graffiti, cleared up rubbish from public areas, cut grass verges and repaired potholes in roads and pavements. Shipley Community Housing Trust also helped clear rubbish.

Residents on Windhill's West Royd Avenue said the initiative was a good idea, but needed to happen more often.

Paul Crossley, 29, said: "I think it is good. Estates like this do get run down. There are a certain amount of people here that do keep up their houses and a certain few that don't which spoils the estate."

Joanne Green, 21, said: "They should do this more often, not just once a year. The litter isn't too bad but there needs to be somewhere for the kids to go."

Gwyneth Gough, 47, added: "Vandalism and nicking and drugs are the main issues. I think this will help."

Mrs Brett said that similar initiatives would be occuring elsewhere in the district, including the Braithwaite estate in Keighley.