Public offered open day chance to see war on crime in action

Communities in Bradford and Keighley are to be given an unparalleled "insiders' guide'" into life in the police force – a privilege normally only reserved for criminals and police staff.

West Yorkshire Police have hailed the opening of police stations to residents as a "major undertaking" which will boost public confidence.

Officers including senior detectives and firearms-trained staff will be on hand to speak to visitors at special events in Bradford, Shipley and Keighley.

A force spokesman said: "We want to give residents the chance to have a look at the way the police work, including guided tours by officers who can tell them about what life is like on the sharp end of combating crime."

Colleagues from the fire and ambulance services will also be sending staff and vehicles for some of the open days, which will be held in the Bradford area and Keighley from mid-July.

Police say the idea of inviting the public into stations will help increase confidence in the force and help dispel some of the myths surrounding the work.

The plan for greater openness has come from Chief Insp Steve Thomas, of Airedale and North Bradford Police.

He said: "These open days are the largest events of their kind yet staged in Bradford and are intended to give residents a real insiders' perspective on all aspects of policing and other emergency services work in our communities.

"Talks and tours around the stations will be carried out by the officers and detectives who work in them allowing visitors to really get a taste of what we do and what life is like straight from the officers who live it.

"We also have a huge range of attractions planned including visits from the mounted and dog sections, vintage vehicles and much more."

Chief Insp Paul Hepworth of Bradford South Police said the Force wanted to thank partners for taking part in what was a "major undertaking".

He said: "I want to pass on my thanks to colleagues from the fire and ambulance services who are joining with us in these open days which provide a real opportunity for us to strengthen relations with residents.

"By inviting members of the community into our stations and showing them the work we do we aim to strengthen their confidence in the police and dispel some of the myths which surround policing in Bradford.

"Increasing confidence in policing will only encourage residents to be more willing to report crime and issues of concern to us, helping us all make communities safer."

Vehicle displays, stalls, tours of stations and cells and special events for children will all be included in the days.

Other highlights at some of the events will also include displays by a vintage police car and police horses, visits by puppies from the police dog section, free bike post-coding and remote controlled go-karting.

The open days are:

July 17, 11am to 3pm Lawcroft house police station, Lilycoft Road, Bradford.;

July 24, 11am to 3pm, Javelin House police station, Javelin Close , Eccleshill.;

July 25, 11am to 3pm, Shipley police station, Manor Lane, Shipley;

July 31, 11am to 3pm, Airedale House police station, Royd Ings Avenue, Keighley.;

August 1, 11am to 3pm, Trafalgar House police station, Nelson Street, Bradford.