Problems with Bradford's city drunks are 'worse than ever'

And they called for more of a police presence to deter the nuisances.

Police insisted they were tackling anti-social behaviour in Bradford city centre and had reduced incidents by 30 per cent.

A spokesman said 177 Dispersal Orders - to move people on - had been handed out in May, ten arrests made, and there were 140 confiscations of alcohol.

Andy Wharton, manager of The In Plaice fish and chip shop in Centenary Square, said groups of drunks congregated nearby and verbally abused customers and staff.

He said: "We had one in the shop. He fell asleep at a table. Then he woke up and began abusing customers. I asked him to leave and he said, 'make me.' I called the police.

"It took them quite a while to arrive. They took him out of the shop and spoke to him and then left. He wandered around for a bit and then came back in."

On another occasion a drunk was urinating in the street in the middle of the day when families and young children were present, Mr Wharton said.

"It's frustrating to see what's going on. Bradford is a fantastic city but it is being spoiled by these idiots," he added.

"There seems to be very little being done about it. We had a problem with anti-social behaviour last year. The police dealt with it, but then they left it. You can't leave it alone, it's constant.

"I have been here five years, and it is demoralising sometimes. It has got to affect trade. If I was a customer I wouldn't want to come back into Bradford.

"All it needs is more of a police presence in the square to deter these idiots. There is now a police station at the bottom of the City Hall. You would think there would be a police presence most of the time, but you never see anybody."

Fiaz Khan, who owns iCreams, next to The In Plaice, said the issue seemed to be getting worse each year.

"It's a problem that quite a few businesses in the city centre are facing," he said.

"They are there every day. They are there from when I open in the morning to when I close at night. They sit and drink and smoke and beg for money.

"There are a lot of families who come to buy ice creams, and these people ask them for money. They approach women with children, who feel intimidated. It's not nice.

"It does have an impact on trade. People raise their concerns but nothing really gets done. There is a lot of talking, but not so much action.

"I was born and bred in Bradford, but what I see makes me ashamed to be a Bradfordian. I am sick of it. A lot of people are getting frustrated."

Last summer, police set up Operation Keyarm to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city centre caused by problem drinkers. It included issuing direction to leave notices, active for up to 48 hours, and carrying out regular patrols.

Inspector Andy Gallant, who leads the City Area Neighbourhood Team, said high visibility patrols would be put in key areas at key times, with extra officers drafted in from other neighbourhood policing teams when needed, and also working with Bradford Council warden patrols.

"My challenge is to keep pushing Dispersal Orders, and enforcing them," said Insp Gallant.

He said there would be action days when arrests would be made.

"I have been out there myself and I know enforcement is happening. I need to make sure that all staff are making their presence known and dealing with issues in front of them," Insp Gallant added.

He admitted police had insufficient resources, but maintained: "Police and partners remain committed to tackling anti-social behaviour in Bradford city centre, and will use all powers available to do so.

"This joined-up approach, together with dispersal legislation, has already led to a 30 per cent reduction in incidents, compared to April and May of last year.

"In April alone, officers issued 139 dispersal orders to people suspected of being involved in anti-social behaviour. Ten were subsequently arrested for failing to comply with the order and have been dealt with positively.

"We aim to continue this good work by using additional resources, such as Special Constables, who have the same powers as regular police officers, to make sure that patrols are deployed to where they are needed most, and that victims of anti-social behaviour can receive timely visits."

On Friday, a nuisance drinker who was given a dispersal order the previous day, returned to the city centre and was arrested by a PCSO.

Police said he would be charged and bailed, with city centre exclusion zones.

A spokesman said: "The city team work hard every day ensuring people like this get offered help and if they choose not to help themselves by accepting that help, are banned from the city centre."