A MAJOR new initiative is being launched to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour across Keighley.

The whole community is being encouraged to get behind the venture, known as Keighley Together.

A host of agencies and organisations – including the police, community groups, schools, the town council plus MP Robbie Moore – have partnered for the scheme.

But the hope is that ordinary members of the public will play a large role – to help make the town a better place for everyone to live and work in, or to visit.

The scheme has been born out of Operation Springhaven, which took place in December.

It was held to combat anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and dangerous driving following concerns raised by residents, particularly in the Knowle Park area of the town.

There was a range of activities, from high-visibility police patrols to clean-ups by council street cleansing teams.

Mr Moore is co-chairing the new Keighley Together group.

He said: “Anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and organised crime have been on the rise in Keighley for too long now.

“Modified speeding cars and drug dealing have become the norm around much of the town.

“I regularly receive correspondence from constituents who are concerned about this sort of behaviour.

“I was delighted therefore when West Yorkshire Police acted on these concerns and set-up Keighley Together.

“It is a partnership-led approach bringing together the police, community groups, schools and the town council to tackle these issues.

“As co-chair of the group – alongside Detective Chief Inspector Andy Farrell, from West Yorkshire Police – we will be working together on forming an approach to beat anti-social behaviour and organised crime in Keighley, to make our area a better place in which to live.”

Keighley town mayor, Councillor Julie Adams, hopes the whole community will get involved.

“The town council is very supportive of the initiative,” she said.

“It’s important that Keighley Together is people-led rather than being seen just as a police operation.

“Quite a lot has been achieved in tackling issues, but more can be done and this is about the community working together.

“People can help such as by reporting crimes, no matter how small the crime might seem. We can all play a role.”

Primary school children in Keighley were invited to come-up with a name and logo for the scheme.

Pupils at Long Lee Primary devised the name – and a logo design by year-three youngster Logan Spencer was successful.

“Logan’s design is now the logo for the whole initiative,” said headteacher, Sue Holdsworth.

“There were many entries from primary schools across Keighley.

“It is an amazing achievement by Logan and everyone at the school is incredibly proud.”

Councillor Adams and Inspector Khalid Khan, of Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, visited the school to present Logan with a certificate and book token.

They then took part in a question-and-answer session with the pupils.

As part of the operation, a number of agencies joined forces for a week of action in the town.

During the week, two large cannabis farms were discovered and cannabis worth a total of £150,000 seized, two vehicles connected with anti-social behaviour were taken off the roads, eight people were arrested on suspicion of various offences, 13 fixed penalty notices were issued for traffic matters and a large amount of rubbish was removed by council cleansing teams.

Insp Khan said: "Working with the local community is vital for us to make this project successful and I would urge anyone to come forward who has concerns about issues in the area or to report any crimes or incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"We are working very closely with partners and residents to listen to problems. We want to give the community a voice, develop cohesion and seek opportunities to improve intelligence – along with making the area safer for residents."

Anybody with information or concerns should contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101 or through the West Yorkshire Police website. Alternatively, information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.