TEN years ago a crime partnership was set up to tackle problems affecting the city centre.
It could not have been known how effective and influential the initiative would become.
City Centre Beat (CCB) has now developed into one of the leading crime partnerships in the country, inspiring other similar schemes in other towns and cities.
Combating shop theft and anti-social behaviour remains at the core of the operation, which since 1998 has been managed by retired West Yorkshire Police inspectors Steve Baker and Steve Longbottom.
With 177 members throughout the city centre and adjoining areas, the scheme operates a radio communication systems whereby members can alert each other if trouble arises. They also attend regular briefings attended by the police where they receive details about and posters of prolific offenders. For those unable to attend, information is delivered on an intranet site. A CD containing details of around 160 criminals has also been produced.
“Members know who criminals are and can prevent then entering their premises,” Steve Baker has said of the scheme. “We aim to prevent rather than have to act later. Access to our intelligence helps to keep out troublemakers.”
The ‘two Steves’ as they are commonly known, worked with the home office to set up the partnership helped by former police constable Mark Plovie, who has been at the forefront of intelligence sharing within the partnership.
Mark now works for the police as an intelligence coordinator and CCB liaison officer, providing information for the weekly crime briefings that take place at three sites: the Kirkgate Shopping Centre – where CCB is based – The Broadway and in City Hall.
The success of CCB has meant that Mark’s role is part-funded by the partnership, enabling both its members and the police to access up-to-the-minute intelligence helping to reduce crime and disorder.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, which has provided CCB’s base since it began,” says Steve Baker, who extends particular thanks to the centre manager and chairman of CCB’s management board Catherine Riley.
TEN years ago a crime partnership was set up to tackle problems affecting the city centre.
It could not have been known how effective and influential the initiative would become.
City Centre Beat (CCB) has now developed into one of the leading crime partnerships in the country, inspiring other similar schemes in other towns and cities.
Combating shop theft and anti-social behaviour remains at the core of the operation, which since 1998 has been managed by retired West Yorkshire Police inspectors Steve Baker and Steve Longbottom.
With 177 members throughout the city centre and adjoining areas, the scheme operates a radio communication systems whereby members can alert each other if trouble arises. They also attend regular briefings attended by the police where they receive details about and posters of prolific offenders. For those unable to attend, information is delivered on an intranet site. A CD containing details of around 160 criminals has also been produced.
“Members know who criminals are and can prevent then entering their premises,” Steve Baker has said of the scheme. “We aim to prevent rather than have to act later. Access to our intelligence helps to keep out troublemakers.”
The ‘two Steves’ as they are commonly known, worked with the home office to set up the partnership helped by former police constable Mark Plovie, who has been at the forefront of intelligence sharing within the partnership.
Mark now works for the police as an intelligence coordinator and CCB liaison officer, providing information for the weekly crime briefings that take place at three sites: the Kirkgate Shopping Centre – where CCB is based – The Broadway and in City Hall.
The success of CCB has meant that Mark’s role is part-funded by the partnership, enabling both its members and the police to access up-to-the-minute intelligence helping to reduce crime and disorder.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, which has provided CCB’s base since it began,” says Steve Baker, who extends particular thanks to the centre manager and chairman of CCB’s management board Catherine Riley.
Other members of the board include Mirko Maric, security manager for Kirkgate shopping Centre and its operations manager Bill McCormack, general manager of the Midland Hotel Gary Peacock and, more recently, Mark Higgins, operations manager for The Broadway shopping centre.
Bradford city centre’s Neighbourhood Policing Team provides great support to CCB. Local Police Community Support Officers carry CCB radios as well as their own police radios, giving members easy access to them.
Over the years has won numerous awards and accolades for the way it has helped to reduce crime and disorder in Bradford city centre.
In April this year CCB again received a Safer Business Award with distinction from the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships (NABCP).
Says Steve Baker: “This shows that CCB has achieved the highest standards in running the partnership and high levels of integrity in its data sharing role. The award has made all involved with CCB proud – it is great to feel that all the hard work is recognised and that what we do is making a difference.”
The award recognises the many partnerships CCB has with different organisations including West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Council, The University of Bradford, Bradford College, retailers, the night time economy, voluntary organisations and many others.
CCB’s Student Safespot initiative – which has created a network of premises where students and members of the public can seek refuge and receive support when they are the victims or potential victims of crime or harassment – has won awards for community safety and inspired schemes in other areas of the country.
Says Steve: “We gave a presentation to the national conference of NABCP to inform other crime partnerships of our business model in order to encourage others to take on our style of business. This was because the organisations’ leaders recognised our good work and wanted us to share our innovative ideas and ways of operating.”
CCB is working closely with security teams at The Broadway to ensure the public and employees feel safer and more able to enjoy the experience of visiting the city centre.
