Bradford shop thefts almost halved in last six months.

Shop thefts in Bradford’s city centre have nearly halved in the last six months, according to reports.

It comes as the city’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership receives national accreditation.

Bradford City Centre Beat (CCB) works to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, assisting local businesses and improving safety for employees, shoppers, and visitors.

Bradford city centre crime

Official shop theft offences in Bradford city centre have decreased from 77 to 40 in the last six months, according to the partnership.

As part of its strategy, CCB provides a secure digital radio network that connects businesses with PCSOs, CCTV, and one another.

Weekly intelligence briefings and the use of the SENTRYSIS app enable members to share and receive real-time alerts on known offenders operating in the city centre. Police recently stated that they were seeing “improvements daily” in terms of anti-social behaviour in the area.

This came after businesses informed the T&A that Rawson Square, near the former Wilko store, had gradually become a hotspot for bad behaviour.

Drug use and dealing, defecation and urination, and disruptive behaviour were among the concerns raised.

Shared mission to tackle business crime

CCB has been granted National Standards Accreditation for 2025, recognising its “excellence in management practices, partnership working, and data handling, particularly in relation to GDPR compliance and intelligence sharing”.

CCB has been awarded the National Standards Accreditation for 2025. CCB’s manager, Steve Baker, stated, “We are proud to have received the 2025 National Standards Accreditation.

“It shows our members that their data is handled with the utmost care and security in our shared mission to combat business crime. “Our strong partnerships ensure our members feel supported in protecting their staff and customers.”

‘Bradford outperforms national trends in retail crime’

CCB works closely with Bradford BID, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Bradford Council, and major retail locations such as The Broadway, Kirkgate Centre, and Forster Square Retail Park. Jonny Noble, chief executive of Bradford BID, stated that the collaboration has helped Bradford outperform national trends in retail crime. Mr.

Noble went on: “We’re excited to be trialling body-worn cameras, especially for smaller independent businesses, to further deter theft, reassure staff, and collect vital evidence.”

Inspector Justin Adams of Bradford City Neighbourhood Policing Team said, “We are pleased to announce that Bradford City Centre Beat has achieved National Standards Accreditation.

“We work closely with partners in the city centre to tackle anti-social behaviour, business and retail crime and will continue to work to make the city a safe and vibrant place to live and work.”

Sophie Jordan, manager of the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships, commented, “Congratulations to Bradford City Centre Beat BCRP on successfully achieving the BCRP National Standards Accreditation.”

She went further: “The assessor noted clear and consistent communication, including regular briefings for local business staff, and effective collaboration with partners.”

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