Bid to cut street crime

Officers will aim to reassure the public

A new street crime team has been unveiled in the Chapeltown area of Leeds.

Police say robbers, thieves, drug dealers, kerbcrawlers and prostitutes will be targeted over the coming months.

High profile patrols will be deployed in a bid to provide reassurance to local residents.

Last year the former vice and robbery teams made more than 340 arrests for kerbcrawling and prostitution.

Inspector Graham Archer, who is leading the new team, said: "Chapeltown is a vibrant and exciting place to live and visit.

"But the criminal minority are affecting the lives of the whole community and tarnishing the area's reputation.

"We want to send out a clear message that if you are caught committing a crime in Chapeltown, you will be arrested."