The move is designed to “bridge the gap” between local police and city center businesses in tackling crime, including violence, anti-social behavior and other “street problems”.
Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), which represents almost 600 member businesses in the city centre, said it had launched a ‘BID Patrol Team’ to help keep the city welcoming and safe for all.
Concerns about the perception of the town center have been raised numerous times in the Telegraph & Argus in recent months, with one visitor recently expressing concern at the number of “drugged zombies” he encountered.
The patrol team has been appointed following a rigorous selection process and will work alongside partner agencies to tackle a range of behaviors affecting the town center and member businesses.
Bradford BID, a not-for-profit organisation, is launching the project as another part of a series of initiatives aimed at a safe and positive environment in the city centre, as outlined in the BID’s second operational plan.
The introduction of the patrol team follows the launch of a 24/7 “Command and Intelligence Centre” (CIC) support line for BID member businesses.
The patrol team will routinely carry out direct business engagement face to face and assist businesses with their concerns or queries.
They will patrol the BID area and report concerns that may have an adverse impact on businesses and their customers.
They will also work closely with partners who have the power to help those who may appear to be sleeping rough or need additional help from substance misuse services.
They will report environmental sightings and gather relevant intelligence to assist partners with enforcement actions such as littering, fly-tipping and noise nuisance.
The BID patrol team will be managed by Argenbright Security Europe Ltd’s command and intelligence centre. after any service requests, as soon as possible, he will attend the businesses after all requests for assistance and follow through until completion.
Jonny Noble, chief executive of Bradford BID, says: “When we consulted with our member businesses to draw up the new business plan for the proposed second term, safety, security and cleanliness were extremely high on everyone’s agenda.
“By providing this service to our businesses, we feel we have the right resources to help us solve some of the challenges our businesses face.
“The partnership with the city center policing team, the local authority and a range of outreach services is absolutely paramount to the success of this initiative.
“The BID Patrol Team is just one piece of the puzzle and we look forward to working with our downtown stakeholders as the Patrol Team develops.”
The new Patrol Team is a first for the BID and is in partnership with industry leading experts, Argenbright Security Europe Limited (ASEL).
Peter Fisher, Director of Risk & Intelligence at ASEL, says: “We are delighted to have been selected by Bradford Business Improvement District to represent them and their ratepayers as their ‘boots on the ground’ patrol team.
“We also look forward to working with all the stakeholders of Bradford BID and making a significant and real difference to shop workers and visitors across the city centre.
“We believe our new ‘integrated’ and collaborative approach to town center safety and security is industry leading and truly bridges the gap between local police, town center businesses and other stakeholders in Bradford City by combining highly skilled and well trained resources with appropriate technology and data. ensures Bradford BID has the right people in the right places at the right time to tackle crime including violence and anti-social behaviour.”
Jonny adds: “By adding this visible measure to the town centre, we are confident that our member businesses will feel better engaged and more responsive to the issues they face and we are very excited about the team’s commitment.
“One of the main factors that this project will affect is intelligence gathering.
“In conjunction with the Command and Intelligence Centre, we will be able to ensure that the right type of high quality information is passed back to the appropriate authorities for action.”
If a business is not a member of the BID, but is in a defunct area, there is an option to join as a voluntary member by contacting the BID office.