City patrol team to report anti-social behaviour

A new patrol team will be roaming the streets of Bradford to report concerns about anti-social behavior to the relevant authorities.

The team, launched by Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), will also work with partners to tackle rough sleeping and substance misuse.

They will also help address litter, fly-posting and noise issues.

Bradford BID chief executive Jonny Noble said the service would be “invaluable”.

“When we consulted with our member businesses as we developed the new business plan for a proposed second term, safety, security and cleanliness were high on everyone’s agenda,” he said.

“By offering this service to our businesses, we believe we have the right resources available to help solve some of the problems our businesses face.”

Mr Noble said the team’s work would consist of “observation, gathering evidence and sharing information”.

“Also, their presence is generally a deterrent to those who may be in the city center for the wrong reasons,” he added.

It is in addition to and will work with Bradford BID’s 24/7 Command and Information Center helpline.

“Fight Crime”

The BID patrol team will be led by the Argenbright Security Europe Ltd. (ASEL) Command and Intelligence Center following any service requests.

Peter Fisher, ASEL’s director of risk and intelligence said he hoped the team would help bridge “the gap between local police, city center businesses and other stakeholders”.

Mr Fisher added that he would ensure “Bradford BID has the right people in the right places at the right time to tackle crime, including violence and anti-social behaviour”.

Bradford at Night, an organization which supports the city’s night-time economy, endorsed the move.

A spokesman said: “The new patrol team that has been launched is a key starting base for business engagement to work well on the ground.

“I’m sure day trading businesses will appreciate the additional support.”

They said their members also hope there could be the potential for patrols to be extended into the evening in the future.

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) work by levying a small fee on businesses that join to pay for additional services that support improved commerce and traffic.

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