Clippings (November-December 1999)

Warning! Strange behaviour (New Scientist, Dec 1999)

Bright ideas of city honoured (T&A, 20 Dec 1999)

A step in the right direction (Editorial, T&A, 20 Dec 1999)

Named and shamed (T&A 18 Dec 1999)

We've all been framed (Guardian, Wednesday December 8, 1999 )

"There's nothing to fear but fear" (T&A 2 Dec 1999)

"We want spy cameras but not price tag" (T&A 26 Nov 1999)

Cameras plan for village (T&A 19 Nov 1999)

£50m bid to transform city's poorest district (T&A 11 Nov 1999)

CCTV support (T&A 29 October 1999)

CCTV support

SKIPTON: The Town Council's safety and amenities committee has pledged their support for closed circuit television system in Skipton.

The proposals drawn up by Craven District Council were recently shortlisted by the Government for consideration for funding. The committee decided the cameras were the way forward for tackling crime

REGENERATION: Biggest-ever project will aim to boost jobs, homes and safety

£50m bid to transform city's poorest district

Massive, far-reaching plans to turn one of the poorest parts of Bradford's inner city into a safe and desirable place to live, work and play were unveiled today.

The publication of the New Deal 'Masterplan follows a year of planning by local residents working together with Bradford Council.

Their bid was today being submitted to Government officials for final approval.

The New Deal zone covers the Park Lane area of Little Horton, Marshfields and West Bowling and the regeneration scheme would involve £50 million investment in jobs, the environment and housing over a ten-year period. It would be the biggest regeneration scheme ever seen in Bradford, dwarfing the £37 million facelift of Holme Wood, the £31 million Royds initiative and the £17.6 million for Newlands.

Detailed spending plans have been drawn up to cover job creation, crime prevention, housing improvements and education.

The aim is to turn around the area including parts of the Little Horton council ward, the second most deprived in the country - and create "a desirable place for people to live, work and play, witnin a safe, attractive and sustainable environment".

The Masterplan acknowledges that "Cutting unemployment will be the key to rejuvenating this area".

It has set an ambitious target - to reduce the unemployment rate within the neighbourhood (currently 13.6 per cent) to the district average (currently 6.1 per cent).

Other proposals include funding four extra new beat bobbies for the area; spending £2 million on CCTV to protect residents; and a vehicle crime prevention scheme.

To tackle the problem of run-down private housing, there will be Tool Libraries and DIY training. Meanwhile an extensive survey will be done of all private homes to advise people on bow they can get them improved.

Homework clubs, summer schools, and a Youth Forum will be set up for young people as well as New Deal bursaries to coax youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education.

Councillor Dave Green, (Lab, Odsal), a member of the New Deal Board, said "Community representatives have put a huge amount of work into the preparation of the delivery plan, to ensure it actually reflects the aims and aspirations of the community that the New Deal covers. That is the great strength of this plan. We have got ten years to make the transformation. People have rightly aimed high."

Cameras plan for village

SILSDEN: Moves are afoot to get two CCTV cameras installed in Silsden to improve safety for both the public and for property.

At the last meeting of Silsden's parish council, chairman councillor Paul Bromley said he would be contacting Denis Knowles of Silsden Civic Society to canvass support from the business community. Mr Knowles, chair of the Civic Society, said he has reservations about available funds saying money would always be a factor.

He added that his society would be willing to donate money for the cameras but suggested that a more human alternative might be more effective. He said: "I think we need a police presence in Silsden more than surveillance but I suppose a policeman must cost a lot of money"

Coun Bromley says he intends to propose a formal request is submitted to Bradford Council at next month's parish council meeting after the opinions of local businesses have been gained.

SECURITY: Traders say they can't afford £30,000 cost

"We want spy cameras but not price tag"

Shopkeepers in Silsden have come out in favour of spy cameras for the town in a bid to tackle crime and vandalism.

But the majority of them say they are not prepared to contribute towards the £30,000 price tag.

Silsden Parish Council wants to install two closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at strategic points in the town to deter acts of vandalism, theft, drug abuse, rowdy behaviour and also reduce people's fear of crime.

But the council itself has no money to pay for the project and has already been knocked back by Bradford Council.

Now parish councillors have turned to shopkeepers in Silsden to see if they, as victims of vandalism would be willing to help finance the cameras.

Although traders have backed the CCTV idea, together with better policing, many say they would not be prepared to pay for it.

They say they already- pay enough in business rates to Bradford Council and would like some of that money ploughed back into the town.

"I've no money to spend on things like that," said Marcus Bernard, of Picturesque in Kirkgate.

"I think the business rates are wrong for this town anyway and I'm sure that the Council can afford to pay for these things themselves. Shops in Silsden are existing, not prospering."

His comments were echoed by Martin Twigg, of Twigg's newsagents, who said: "Everyone along here has been fighting the rates for the last two or three years and they are set to double next year. I can't see any money for cameras coming from that direction."

Butcher David Isherwood added: "If they want the traders to find that sort of money, I think they're dreaming."

Paul Bromley, chairman of Silsden Parish Council, said: "We will have to ask ourselves whether we want to go back to Bradford and ask them to help pay for the cameras," he said.

*Re-educating drug dealers and users in South Craven can help to rid the area of the problem and also reduce other crimes, claims the district's police chief.

Cross Hills-based Sergeant Sieve Scott says looking at other ways of dealing with drug related offenders rather than prosecution can have a big effect on tackling the scourge of drugs in rural areas.

He told Monday's Airedale and South Craven Area Forum that this was one way the police in North Yorkshire were making in-roads in the fight against drugs and other crimes such as burglary.

CRIME: Chief constable hits out at 'sensational' media coverage

"There's nothing to fear but fear"

West Yorkshire's police chief has called for a new strategy to tackle the rising fear of crime.

Chief Constable Graham Moore says the perception that we live in a violent society is far worse than the reality.

"Over the last five years crime has continued to go down, but the fear of crime has increased. What's going on?' he said.

Victim Support workers today backed W Moore, but Warned there were no easy answers to the problem.

And Bradford pensioner Joyce Wood, who made national headlines last year when she was hit in the face with a lump of wood, says the fear of being attacked will always be with her.

Mr Moore made his comments at this week's Airedale Police Community Forum meeting.

He said sensationalist media coverage and "emotional" images of bruised and battered victims helped spread the fear of crime.

"The media is full of horror story after horror story. I want people to put things in perspective - to understand what the real risks are and how safe the community is," he said.

"Older people feel uncomfortable about going out at night. The reality is that you have a less than 1 in 1,000 chance of being assaulted.

'And that risk reduces to 1 in 4,000 if you are over,50."

Pensioner Joyce Wood, of Laisterdyke, was the victim of an unprovoked attack last May. The 72-year-old can no longer go out alone and says her scared face is a constant reminder of her ordeal.

She said: "It is 18 months since 1 was attacked and 1 still can't summon up the courage to go out alone.

"I think pensioners have every right to worry about the dangers of going out at night."

Mr Moore said he wanted community organisations and the police to work together under the banner of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to help reduce the fear of crime.

Pat White, of Keighley and district Victim Support, said: "It's not as simple as telling people not to worry. Crime affects people in different ways. As long as there is crime people win be scared. But Bradford's Crime and Disorder Partnership should go a long way to tackling the Problem.

"It's about cleaning up areas, improving lighting, installing CCTV and making the district a welcoming environment."

Police highlight parking trouble spots

Named and shamed

City centre trouble spots are highlighted by a police chief today in a name and shame campaign to cut car crime.

Since the beginning of April this year 720 vehicles have been stolen and a further 1,091 have been broken into in the Bradford Central police division.

Latest figures reveal the worst five areas to park your car are Vicar Lane, Westgate and Rawson Road, Forster Square, Jacobs Well and Little Germany.

Chief Inspector Ray Shepherd said although Bradford's record on car crime is no worse than any other large city, steps can be taken to improve it.

"I want the people of Bradford to know these facts so they can make an informed choice about where to park their car," he said.

He has called for extra investment to improve existing car parks and upgrade CCTV in the city centre and has welcomed bids for funding which have already been submitted by Bradford's partnership agencies.

Chief Insp Shepherd said: "Things can only get better with the bids that have been put in by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. In the meantime motorists can help themselves."

Today the Telegraph & Argus prints a list of the ten worst car parks for vehicle crime. The list will be updated every month so motorists can make a decision based on the latest facts.

Chief Insp Shepherd: "More than 80 per cent of vehicle crime is 'on-street', so a car park is still the safest place to go. And we're looking at the number of vehicles - some car parks obviously hold more vehicles. But these are the facts."

Vicar Lane car park, run by Bradford Council, heads the 'name and shame list' with 18 vehicles stolen and another 54 broken into between April 1 and December 14.

Bradford woman Jane Cipkin is one of those victims. She says the Council should get tough with criminals by using the £2 a day car parking charge to employ security guards.

The 23-year-old telesales worker has already had a Vauxhall Astra stolen and Peugeot 106 broken into on the Vicar Lane car park.

She said: "Why should we pay £40 a month to park in river-like puddles only to get your car broken into?

"It needs better CCTV, security guards watching the cars and more signs saying the area is being watched to deter criminals."

The police statistics also reveal:

The worst day for car crime is Monday, while the best is Sunday.

The top five cars broken into are Honda Civic (12.4 per cent), Volkswagen Polo (12.1 per cent), Ford Fiesta (11.8), Ford Escort (10.7), Vauxhall Cavalier (9.9).

· The top five items of property stolen from cars are audio equipment (42 per cent), clothing (11.3), vehicle or care accessories (8.8), cases or luggage containers (8.4), bank and credit cards (8).

Chief Insp Shepherd said: "I'm not saying certain makes of car are easier to break into - there are a lot of factors, including how many of these models are in the city centre at one time. I just want to give people the facts."

Council John Ruding, leader member of Bradford Council's Community Safety Committee, said: "Car crime is a problem nationally and Bradford, like anywhere else, suffers from it.

"We'll carry on trying to get some private development of the Vicar Lane site which will include a secure car park. Unfortunately the two previous developments haven't gone through.

"The Council does not have the funds to install its own CCTV in that car park."

Car park vehicle crime, April-December 1999

Bright ideas of city honoured

Bradford Council was today named as one of the first Beacon Councils.

The Government announcement means the Council will be a centre of excellence for community safety.

Almost 300 councils applied for the status and the 42 successful ones were named by local government minister Hilary Armstrong today.

Beacon Councils are meant to help raise standards in seven service areas from community safety to education by acting as "shining examples'' to other local authorities.

Bradford, Britain's fourth biggest Metropolitan authority, will keep its Beacon status until March 2001. Working with the Improvement and Development Agency it will organise seminars and other activities through which ''best practice'' can be shared.

Bradford Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "It's tremendous news and a strong recognition of the work and commitment of those concerned with fighting crime and disorder in Bradford."

Deputy leader, Councillor Mohammed Ajeeb said: "Community safety work and close partnerships with the police and community have been going on for a few years and this has now been recognised as excellent.''

He said the bid would have benefited from the success of moves to improve community safety through street lighting and CCTV schemes in partnership with the police, community and business.

"We've also worked with the police and Racial Equality Council on an anti-racial harassment programme and there's been a lot of improvement made on that front,'' he said.

A step in the right direction

A small sign of the turn-around in Bradford Council emerges today with the announcement of the award of Beacon status - an honour which has been bestowed by the Government on 42 councils out of almost 300 which applied. Bradford's was granted for its work on community safety, a field in which it is now acknowledged to be a leader.

It is a long time since the Council was quoted as a shining example for anything in particular. That is not to denigrate the efforts of the many individuals who go about their daily business efficiently, doing a perfectly proficient job. But Bradford Council - to be fair, in common with many other local authorities - has earned a reputation for being unwieldy and overly bureaucratic and has been widely criticised by Council taxpayers.

But efforts are going on to change that. The reorganisation of the Council itself and the decision, revealed in the T&A last week, to restructure the directorates, are signs that the authority is at last moving forward.

This latest accolade, which gives Bradford the role of helping to spread good practice across the country, is a step in the right direction. An example is the Council work in the last year to create partnerships with the police and the community in installing street lighting and CCTV, which have been successful in cutting crime and the fear of crime.

For once, it will be good to have other authorities across the country saying: "Let's see if we can do it as well as Bradford."

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