The new head of a team of beat bobbies in Bradford has vowed to tackle the crime and anti-social behaviour which blights people's daily lives.

Sergeant Paul Hepworth has just taken over as the head of Bradford North Police's community beat officers. And five officers have also joined the 11-strong team.

Each officer will patrol their own patch and be available by telephone to residents.

Sgt Hepworth said: "The team will be dealing with everything on their beats from anti-social behaviour problems to general crime - things that impact on the community and people's daily lives.

"The job of a community beat officer is to get to know their patch inside out. They become very familiar faces to people living in these areas.

"All the community beat officers are experienced officers who want to work within communities, assisting local people with their concerns. But it is only with the community's help that we will truly be able to make a difference."

Sgt Hepworth said people could contact their local officers with any problems, though he stressed that in an emergency people should still dial 999.

Sgt Hepworth said intelligence-led policing was one of the force's priorities and local bobbies could gather that intelligence. "They are very important because they are the eyes and ears of West Yorkshire Police."

Community officers also attend neighbourhood forums where residents can meet them face-to-face.

Sgt Hepworth said he was thrilled with his enthusiastic new team.

"It's good for the community and it's good for the bobbies because they are enjoying it."

Sgt Hepworth has been a member of the firearms team as a constable and worked as a custody sergeant and a patrol sergeant before moving into community safety.

He said he couldn't wait to start his new role.

"It's an ideal opportunity to make a difference to local people because this anti-social behaviour does go on."

He said they officers would be tackling offences such theft and vandalism to stop offenders moving on to more serious crimes.

Officers also go into schools to educate youngsters and Sgt Hepworth said they were working to set up other activities for young people to prevent them becoming involved in crime.

The community beat officers can be contacted on (01274) 376185 or (01274) 376168. Callers can leave a message if an officer is not available.