Bradford's biggest ever crime busting scheme is poised to swing into action next month ready for radical changes in the law which will involve the Council for the first time in law and order.

And the first step towards implementing the Home Secretary's plan to make Bradford and Britain a better place will be a full scale audit of the district's problems which will pick out problems and hot spots.

The responsibility for law and order in the district will lie with Bradford Council and the police in 14 month's time and the Council has appointed its first community safety policy officer, Sharmila Ghandi, who will be the key player in its response.

Sharmila and Chief Inspector Joan Simpson, West Yorkshire Police Community Officer, will work together on a major plan which will involve all the Council directorates, agencies - including the probation service - and many organisations.

A steering group headed by the Council and police will be set up to coordinate action - and if they don't deliver the service, Jack Straw can step in.

Sharmila has come to Bradford after working as community officer for Newbury District Council in Berkshire.

She said the Home Secretary would probably look for authorities to pilot the new orders which would be included in the Bill and Bradford was likely to apply.

The orders will help people to be better parents and to deal with problems.

"In the next couple of weeks a professional and hopefully local person from outside should be appointed to carry out the audit."

The first guidelines for implementing the schemes are also likely to be published next month.

The Crime and Disorder Bill currently going through Westminster is likely to get Royal assent in July - then it will be full steam ahead for authorities to comply with the law in April next year.

Sharmila said the performance of the authorities would have to be measured by the Audit Commission and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.

"The Home Secretary can request at any time to see the plans and hypothetically you could be put on the spot."

She said every section of the Council would be involved, including schools, which may intervene with youngsters who fall foul of the law, and Social Services, which may introduce diversion schemes for youngsters.

"We will be looking at a strategic approach which has never been done,'' she said. "It isn't just about locks and bolts but we will be looking at the social side.

"There is a big difference in the figures for recorded crime and reality. It can be four or five times higher.

"There are people in Bradford who have a real fear of crime."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.