A PILOT project to get civilians involved in police work has been given £200,000.
The money for the Circle Project will be used to encourage communities to band together to make their areas safer and more crime-free.
The scheme will start in two as yet unnamed areas of West Yorkshire.
If it is successful it will be extended to other areas in the country after a year.
The Government money will be used to employ six Community Advocate Project Officers - civilians whose roles it will be to find out the specific problems in the areas such as vandalism, unruly behaviour and crimes such as burglary.
The idea then is to draw together all aspects of the communities - residents, businesses, schools and other organisations - to tackle the problems.
They will be supported by the police.
Project manager Chris Joyce from West Yorkshire's Community Safety Department, said: "This project has the potential to have a major impact on real issues, identified by and addressed by real people.
"It is not about increasing police numbers in particular areas.
"It is about the desire to work together with the new project officers using existing resources and their determination to make a difference."
He added: "Of course it's a way of working to bring down crime, but it's also engaging communities in crime prevention and community safety issues, encouraging their involvement in group activities and sharing in the pride that follows local achievements.
"We understand that each area in West Yorkshire isn't the same, that different issues affect different areas.
"Through the Circle Project we aim to encourage and support effective solutions to concerns identified by the groups that we will be working with on this pilot initiative."
