Crime drops 28pc in student areas as scheme hits the spot

Between September 1, 2009, and August 31, 2010, reports of assault fell by 28 per cent compared to the previous year and reports of public order incidents were down by 25 per cent.

The lower crime rate is being attributed to a scheme led by West Yorkshire Police designed to keep students in Bradford safe.

Bradford South City ward Inspector Kevin Pickles worked with City Centre Beat alongside Bradford University and Bradford College to set up the Safe Spot scheme.

Inspector Pickles said: "These figures relate directly to the areas of the city used by the students including their campus, private and rented accommodation and the routes around them.

"The aim of the Safe Spot scheme is to provide safe places in Bradford for students to go. It is vital that they can feel protected when they are out and about. We need to ensure that students, especially overseas students, feel safe and are confident to seek help from within the local community if they are lost or a victim of crime."

Businesses who signed up to the scheme advertised they were members by displaying the Student Safe Spot sticker.

This offered students a chance to use the businesses as safe havens where they could call the police or a friend.

The businesses which signed up to the scheme were also given access to the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team briefing, training and information.

Inspector Pickles said: "I am extremely pleased to see these latest figures which show that the Safe Spot scheme is having a genuine impact.

"We have subsequently seen an increased confidence from the students who have been reassured by the fact that the police and our partners are working hard to tackle the issues which affect them."

City Centre Beat, the crime partnership for Bradford city centre, works with over 170 businesses.

Shelley King, ethics, environment and welfare officer at Bradford University Students' Union said: "Student feedback on the initiative has been extremely positive. Students have commented on the fact that just knowing the scheme is in operation has made them feel safer."