Clippings (Aug-Sept 2000)Clippings (Aug-Sept 2000)Camera bid will go on (T&A, 25 Sept, 2000)
Fit for hi-tech caring, (T&A, 18 Sept, 2000)
'Top ten city that lacks confidence' (T&A 12 Sept, 2000)
Smile! The bus station's on candid camera (T&A, 9 Sept, 2000)
Do you feel safe in the city? (T&A Sept 8, 2000)
City car park "will be made better, safer" (T&A 8 Sept, 2000)
People 'scared to walk in city centre' (T&A, Sept 7, 2000)
CCTV trees for the chop (T&A , Aug 18, 2000)
£16,000 to help fight crime (Aire Valley Target, 17 August 2000)
Guards driving out city's car park criminals (T&A 14 Aug, 2000)
Camera bid to pick out thugs (T&A, Aug 2, 2000)
By Joanna Earp, T&A, Aug 2, 2000
Police are scouring closed circuit security footage in a bid to pick out thugs involved in a spate of late night violence in Bingley.
Officers are investigating five separate incidents -- all centred around the town's pubs and night club.
Bingley has a network of state-of-the-art CCTV cameras and it is hoped the system has managed to capture clear images of the culprits.
Inspector David Drucquer, of Bingley Police, said: "Officers are in the process of looking at CCTV footage and we anticipate making arrests soon.
"It is not just Bingley people who are believed to be involved -- we are also looking outside the area."
All of the disturbances happened between 8pm and 2am. In one incident Big Fellas nightclub was shut early on police advice after a canister of CS spray was allegedly discharged.
In another the licensee of The Fleece, Mick Gill, was taken to hospital after allegedly being attacked at his pub.
Mr Gill suffered injuries to his head and shoulder during the disturbance. He is now back at work.
There are 11 pubs, clubs and night clubs in the centre of Bingley, with another one set to open in September.
Police patrols have been stepped up in a bid to reassure revellers that the town is still a safe place in which to go out.
Inspector Drucquer said: "I have been out on patrol with town centre officer PC Graham Moore on Fridays and Saturdays.
"We have noticed the town has been quiet, both in terms of incidents and the numbers of customers."
Gail Richards, manager of the Ferrands Arms, said takings had gone down as a result of the violence, but added they were beginning to bounce back.
"The extra patrols are definitely helping. Customers know there is a good police presence and feel safer," she said.
by OLWEN VASEY, City Hall Reporter, T&A 14 Aug, 2000
Security guards are being permanently retained in city centre car parks in a blitz on thieves.
Bradford Council says crime has dropped dramatically since the private guards were brought to patrol the car parks.
They were introduced into Vicar Lane and Westgate car parks last Christmas when the Telegraph & Argus named and shamed city centre car crime trouble spots.
The council said then that the £3,000 scheme was temporary and had been started to reassure shoppers.
But today Bradford Council's executive committee member for the environment Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said they were keeping two of the three guards permanently because crime was plummeting.
The council has also put in a new barrier and closed circuit television system at Westgate car park.
The move was welcomed by chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group Jeff Frankel as a boost for the city centre.
He said: "It is the right decision. I'm pleased the council has got it right. Stealing has been virtually negligible since they were brought in. The proof of the pudding is in the eating."
Between April and December last year 720 vehicles were stolen or broken into in Bradford central police division, which includes the city centre. Vicar Lane and Westgate were the worst.
During July this year there were only seven reports of damage on the city car parks and two cars were stolen.
Since Vicar Lane car park shut last month to make way for a multi-million leisure development, the guards have been redeployed to other sites, including the new Thornton Road temporary car park, where drivers leave their vehicles to use a shuttle bus service.
Coun Hawkesworth said: "This is good news. It is unlikely that we shall be able to stop all car related crime in the city centre. But we will continue to do all we can to make it harder for people to steal or vandalise vehicles".
* Motorists who were moved off Vicar Lane face about a year using the site in Thornton Road or looking for parking places elsewhere. They will be able to return when the developers, J J Gallagher, have completed a 1,000 place multi-storey car park.
Aire Valley Target, 17 August 2000
A scheme to combat crime in Shipley's town centre shops has been awarded £16,000.
The Shipley Watch Partnership secured the grant from Bradford Council's Community Safety unit.
The money will go towards a high-tech CCTV camera which operates through a microwave link, allowing it to be moved to any location.
Erie Hudson, chairman of the partnership, said: "We are absolutely delighted.
"We want to make Shipley a place where people feel safe to shop and deter those who do not have the town's interests at heart.
"From the good will of the local authority we have got this extra money to provide a new camera which can be moved to any area if there is a particular problem."
The camera, which will complement five other CCTV cameras in the centre, costs £17,000 with £1,000 coming from the retailers.
by CLIVE WHITE T&A Reporter Aug 18, 2000
Lime trees that 1 have lined Skipton's High Street for more than a century are set to be lopped to make way for closed circuit television.
And one lime tree in Caroline Square, planted at the same time in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, is to be felled.
It is feared the trees, which are all protected by tree preservation orders, will block the view of the cameras.
The Craven Community Partnership (CCP) has won £128,000 from the Home Office to pay for CCTV and work has started on installing posts for the cameras.
Craven District Council planners will be asked on Monday to allow the tops to be chopped from "a few" trees in High Street, two in Holy Trinity Churchyard, one in Caroline Square and two in Swadford Street.
They will also be asked to allow seven sycamore, seven ash and two elders along the banks of Ellerbeek in the town conservation area to be felled to allow a camera a proper view of Coach Street car park.
CCP is also calling for a general consent for light pruning on all the trees in the future in case other "blind spots" are found when the cameras are erected.
A CCP spokesman said a general consent would allow pruning to be made without needing further permission.
He said the tree in Caroline Square was decaying and the others in Ellerbeck had seeded on their own and some were growing out of a retaining wall. "None of them are attractive specimens," he said.
Town Councillor John Spencer said all but one of the trees were planted in 1897 and they formed part of the character of the High Street.
"Not all require pruning, but they are asking for an open cheque to be able to prune in future. I believe it would be dangerous to say you can chop branches off when you like."
by OLWEN VASEY, City Hall Reporter, T&A, Sept 7, 2000
A shock report claims people are frightened to walk in Bradford city centre.
It wasn't just in the hours of darkness that people quizzed felt threatened, but during daytime shopping hours too.
The report - A City Centre Management Strategy - is due to go before the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Economic) next week.
And today council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton called for better security in the city because people were afraid to walk in the £1.4m prestigious Centenary Square.
Coun Eaton said visitors and shoppers felt threatened on the square in front of City Hall because large numbers of young people congregated there, drinking.
Councillor Eaton spoke out after public consultation on plans to set up a private company to manage the city centre. People questioned during market research said they found young people on the pub circuit threatening and were concerned that the city appeared deserted after 5.30pm.
A seminar on setting up the new management structure will be told on Monday that the situation would be improved by extended close circuit television and better links with the police and other agencies.
But the report by council officers points out that Bradford Inner City Licensing Association worked with the police by monitoring groups, having registered door staff, refusing service where necessary and telling colleagues of problems. And a new photocard system also tells licensees of trouble makers.
But Coun Eaton said: "It isn't just at 5.30pm when people feel uncomfortable. There are large areas during the day where people feel uncomfortable,"
by OLWEN VASEY, City Hall Reporter, T&A 8 Sept, 2000
A major city centre car park is getting a £1 million refurbishment in time for Christmas.
Prudential, which owns the Kirkgate shopping centre, has acquired the lease on the 550-space car park from Bradford Council,
It has extended security officer patrols from the shopping centre into the car park and will install a 19-camera close circuit television system.
Kirkgate centre manager Catherine Riley said the car park would have its own CCTV control room, which people would also be able to use for queries and to raise concerns.
The car park upgrade is part of a £3 million improvement scheme to bring the centre into the 21st century, with modern glass lifts and a state of the art roof showing the sky
It is hoped it will help bring it in line with shopping malls in other major cities, including Leeds.
Ms Riley said the company was working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to make the car park one of the safest in Britain.
The refurbishment will include resurfacing the lower deck, with the provision of parent and child spaces and places for disabled drivers.
There will also be a 'pay on foot' scheme where people pull up at the barrier, get a ticket and pay for it when they return.
Ms Riley said it meant that people need not worry about returning to the vehicle within a set period of time.
Waiting will be limited to five hours, however.
She added that the car park would stay open during the work, which would be completed by Christmas.
Work in preparation for the glass lift is being carried out in the basement, but main interior work would begin after Christmas,
The councils executive member for regeneration, Councillor Simon Cooke, said' "It is very good to see these major improvements coming to fruition. It is good for the city."
Olwen Vasey, T&A Sept 8, 2000
Even the Britain in Bloom judges who visited Bradford city centre are said to have been showered with obscene remarks by yobs near the Bradford City fire memorial this year:
And many people have told researchers
in a public consultation exercise that they feel threatened by large groups of young people going from pub to pub at night Drugs are said to be sold and used in streets even during daylight.
And the £1.4 million prestige Centenary Square - built for the public to enjoy - is sometimes a no-go area because of drunks.
So what are the answers for a city which wants to become Europe's capital of culture? And why is it happening m a distinct which has won national acclaim for its community safety initiatives?
One possible solution now receiving serious consideration is a by law banning consumption of alcohol in Centenary Square and maybe other parts of the city.
But it could be difficult with new developers bringing in a continental style culture and drinkers being encouraged to spread outside.
The police and Council are also m discussion about new court orders brought m by Home Secretary Jack Straw to tackle serious nuisance and harassment-which because of the law's complexities can't always be classified as a serious crime The anti social behaviour orders would be taken out by the Council against yobs and troublemakers and could result in a £5,000 fine or up to six month's jail if they were broken.
The Home Secretary has said that he wants local authorities to use the powers. And police say their discussions with the council about the measures are already well down the line. But while community safety is high on the agenda in Bradford, the drunks and nuisances can't have the same priority as murder, violence and serious crimes for a police force which has limited resources.
And ironically although people tell Bradford Council they can feel threatened while wandering the city's streets, the Council is winning accolades for its community safety.
The Council has been selected as both a best value national pilot scheme and one of 'Tony Blair's beacon authorities, showing the rest of Britain how to do the job. Both accolades are based on the authority's perceived excellence in community safety. Innovative partnerships involving the Council, police and other organisations are regularly putting in place anti-crime strategies.
The city's close-circuit television system is due to be expanded with the help of a £1 million-plus government award, and a new control room which will watch the whole district is to be set up in Britannia House- So why are people still frightened and why do the drug users, drunks and tramps hanging around the city streets seem to be growing?
Chief Inspector Ray Shepherd, head of the district's police operation wants to see a detoxification unit for Bradford, following the example of Leeds. He says people under the influence of drugs and drink are arrested, then released, simply to return to the habit - and many of them are doing it because they are ill. Chief Inspector Shepherd points out that drunkenness and shoplifting are not on the list of police priorities set out by the Home Office, which include serious drug offences and violence.
Nevertheless, the police presence has been increased late at night particularly at weekends with officers on overtime.
But more arrests for offences like drunkenness means more paper work, and in turn fewer officers on the beat. He adds: "The police can only do so much and we try to give people what they want., But we can't be everthing to everyone,"
People questioned m the public consultation exercise spoke of a city which was deserted and frightening after 5.30pm. But here again, the Council is working towards a solution. Members believe an occupied city is a safer city, and huge strides are being made converting buildings into apartments and flats which people are keen on renting. But Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton has also pointed out that even in daylight people are anxious as they walk the streets. She says the Council will have to look at the situation, particularly at Centenary Square which is becoming worse.
Deputy Leader of the Council's Labour Group Councillor Barry Thorne who has twice been at the receiving end of raids on his car as it stood in a privately run car park in the city said: "I am very concerned. Only today I went to the car park and found glass all over the place.
"We have got laws but don't appear to be enforce them. I would like to see the law upheld and more police presence "
Yet, in fairness, thefts in car parks have plummeted in the city centre as close circuit television systems have been expanded. Private security officers have also been brought in by the authority.
Shopkeepers have some horror stories to tell about city centre problems and some say they want more police. One trader said: 'About five months ago someone injected himself in the foot outside a shop. The police came 20 minutes later and said they couldn't do anything about it because it was Methadone which could be taken legally. Another time someone was drinking out of a bottle and reaching out with his hand and sniffing glue out of another."
Chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group Jeff Frankel said: "The reason this situation is occurring isn't because of poor police management - it is that they haven't got the resources."
The Council's Director of Regeneration Richard Willoughby said on-street drinking was of concern to a number of cities including Bradford and a lot had responded with bylaws. He said if a new private partnership was set up to manage the city centre the issue might well be a priority.
Councillor John Cole, Liberal Democrat spokesman on regeneration said all major cities had homeless people on the streets, but the way forward was to tackle the social issues that caused homelessness.
He added "The Council and its partners also have a difficult problem balancing the economic regeneration of the city and the problems associated with that regeneration. A few years ago Bradford was dying as a "night out", but recently there has been a change."
It's a sad reflection on a city to walk to work on a mid-week morning through blood-spattered streets.
Just minutes before skirting the horrendous splashes, I had left the train at Forster Square station and passed a tramp wearing a hooded, dark coat, crouched in a railway tunnel. A cardboard tray stood in front of him to collect any coins tossed to him by passengers.
Those tunnels, pictured, so often now housing hooded vagrants, were restored three years ago at a cost of thousands of pounds to impress visitors the Council expected to travel to Bradford by rail.
The only comfort for me on that particular morning was that there was strength in numbers, with dozens of other people walking through the streets to work. But sometimes I've been threatened even in crowded city streets.
Recently I was among Saturday shoppers who were approached by a lone preacher yelling at us "Ye are damned!" and waving his hands near our faces. In another incident about three weeks ago, I left the office at 10am to cross to Bank Street followed by a man crazily bellowing obscenities and shouting that he was "going to ***** get" everyone he saw.
The loud yelling and threats continued as he turned off towards Broadway, but there was no sign of Police.
I've often left daytime meetings in City Hall to see drunks on Centenary Square and shoppers, especially the elderly, taking a wide berth.
A colleague says she has seen drugs openly being sold in Broadway at lunch times, and the police have been told. The city's subways are plastered with notices saying CCTV is operating. But they are lonely, stink of urine, and while spy cameras may spot a prowler, I'm far from convinced the information will stop an attack.
And barely a day goes by when I'm not approached in the city centre by a young person urgently pressing for money for a cup of tea, the fare home or change for a telephone.
But, in fairness, I've never been attacked in Bradford city centre by day or night and don't know many who have.
It's all about fear of crime and my lack of confidence about being safe and protected, either by the police or CCTV.
And the thing I'm often told by police and council officers that Bradford is "no worse than other cities and better than some" is no help at all to me at all as I encounter daily concerns.
Olwen Vasey
T&A, 9 Sept, 2000
Bradford bus station's state-of-the-art CCTV system has been examined by Government Transport Minister Keith Hill.
The minister was on a visit to the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive centre in Leeds from where the CCTV control room operates.
He heard how presently Bradford bus station has about 10 cameras which cover the lower concourse, forecourt and short stay car park, but this figure will double when work on the concourse is completed by the end of the year.
The bus station, through which between 20,000 and 30,000 people pass each day, also has its own security office. Alan Featherstone, of WYPTE, told Mr Hill how the cameras picked up a large number of incidents in Bradford.
He said these could range from groups congregating in the toilets - possibly drug dealing - to people collapsing or trains colliding.
Mr Featherstone also explained how upon completion of the scheme, 118 cameras will cover the five districts across West Yorkshire.
Mr Hill said he was "very impressed" by his first visit to the centre.
"This excellent system which is in immediate contact with the police if necessary, will give people the confidence to use public transport."
by OLWEN VASEY, City Hall Reporter, T&A 12 Sept, 2000
Shrubs are growing from the gutters of Bradford's listed buildings at a time when its image is crucial, businesses were told at a top level seminar.
And the city lacked the vision and confidence to defend itself locally, let alone regionally, it was said at the meeting about the private partnership company expected to be set up to manage the city centre.
The meeting at the Midland Hotel was the final stage of public consultation before the company is formed. Businesses, police and organisations were told that, despite its potential, Bradford was not attracting enough shoppers from its own area, and few from beyond.
Assistant Director of Regeneration Richard Willoughby said: "Bradford is a top ten city in population but lacks the vision and the confidence to defend its posit on locally, let along regionally."
Mr Willoughby said the district had the great asset of 5,800 listed buildings but many were neglected and had low rent users. "Despite new development, confidence remains low, compared with other cities in the region."
Martin Van Zeller, the Council's Regeneration Policy Co-ordinator, said Bradford's heritage was superior to Leeds and the city had great potential. But the partnership company would have to be absolutely single-minded about its remits to put Bradford in the premier league.
Chief Superintendent Dave Richardson, of Bradford central police, asked what part the media would play.
Regeneration executive member, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "In general marketing terms, the Council has been lousy in terms of promoting itself. In the past it has kept saying how dreadful we are and we need help. We have to talk about what's good in Bradford rather than raise riot. But it doesn't happen overnight."
The Council came under fire from Terry Patten, branch secretary of the GMB. He asked: "What makes a load of amateurs better than council workers? You take up these potty ideas and the workforce suffer"
He said council workers taken over by a private company in Coventry were working 12-hour shifts operating closed circuit television and earning £3.50 an hour. Coun Cooke said he hoped there would be a better trained workforce with better pay.
Health reporter Jan Winter, T&A, 18 Sept, 2000
Security is a crucial aspect of the work of Bradford's brand-new Accident & Emergency department.
A raft of super-hi-tech security measures will help to monitor patients and visitors and make sure unacceptable behaviour is dealt with before it becomes a problem.
Everywhere you look in waiting areas, there are black domes on the ceiling, each housing a CCTV camera. In all, 35 cameras provide 24-hour recordings - of Home Office quality which can be used in court - of events throughout the department.
And as they arrive through the main doors, patients are reminded that aggressive or violent behaviour is being watched and will not be tolerated - they will see themselves on a TV screen as they enter.
A security station staffed by professionals has a direct link with local police. Cameras can view most areas of the department, but do not monitor sensitive clinical areas.
A&E consultant Pete Bradley said there were currently one or two incidents of violence or aggression in the department a week, but verbal threats and abusive behaviour were distressing for staff.
Fellow consultant Tony Shenton added: "We hope the improved environment and sense of flow through the department will reduce patients' sense of frustration. And we hope that they will respect the environment. There's a better feeling of space and flow through." Each member of staff has identity badges, featuring a photograph and a microchip which will control access to different areas of A&E. Swiping their ID badge across a pad will release a lock and allow a member of staff to move to a different part of the unit.
And when the unit is quiet outside peak hours, work can be concentrated in a core area while outlying areas are secured with doors only accessible to staff,
Individual personal security alarms will also be issued to staff as they come on duty. If an employee feels they are in a difficult situation, they can activate the silent alarm, which alerts the central security station so cameras that area are trained on it, recording what is happening.
The alarm also alerts ten nominated staff who can go to the assistance of their colleague. And the sophisticated camera system can track moving events around the unit if a problem develops with someone running around the department, for example.
Mr Shenton stressed that he hoped patients would feel the new improved A&E department was part of their community, and would take care of it as something important for them and their families for the future.
T&A 25 Sept, 2000
Community councillors in Burley-in-Wharfedale are continuing their bid to cut car crime in village car parks.
The council was dispirited after learning from Bradford Council that closed-circuit television cameras would be too costly to install,
Now the council is now hoping for success in a bid for unmonitored cameras in the Council-owned car-parks, at West Terrace and behind Queens Hall. The matter has now been taken up by area coordinator Chris Flecknoe.
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