Top police officer to meet city’s teenagers

THE Chief Constable of West Yorkshire is touring Bradford today exhorting young people to become ambassadors for their areas.

As part of his visit to the Bradford South division, Sir Norman Bettison will meet young people involved in the police-backed MAGIC project.

Called “Manningham and Girlington Influencing Change” it sees local teenagers involved in a nine-week project comprised of weekly sessions, covering issues such as arson, weapons, disorder and car crime.

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During his visit, the ambassadors will help the Manningham and Toller neighbourhood policing team in an anti-theft number plate scheme at the Hanfia Mosque.

Sir Norman said: “Policing starts and finishes in communities. I have always believed that officers should therefore be dedicated to their ‘patch’ so that they become visible, accessible and familiar.

“This is better than being remote and driving to deal with specific crimes and incidents.

“In spite of everything else that we have to do in 2011, I am committed to retaining nearly 2,000 staff working directly with local communities.”

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Bradford South chief inspector of neighbourhood policing, Darren Brown said: “The Chief Constable will be seeing all aspects of neighbourhood policing in the Bradford South division including some of our recent successes.

“In particular, he will be meeting the Lord Mayor of Bradford in Great Horton to hear about the on-going work to tackle drug dealing.

“The BD5 Project, which aims to empower the local community, has substantially increased calls to Crimestoppers and allowed police and partners to take action.

“He will also be learning about the recent designated public place order put in place by the neighbourhood policing team and Bradford East area co-ordinators in West Bowling to drive out drink-related anti-social behaviour.”