BUSINESSES based at a Shipley site say the area has been plagued by crime and anti-social behaviour, with regular “drug dealing, drug taking and soliciting.”

And one business says it the issue has got so bad that it has instructed staff to lock themselves in the building when working late at night.

The concerns were raised in a planning application to make the site - Hirst Wood Works, more secure.

The application, by John Brooksbank, was to install an 2.4 metre high automated entrance gate and fencing to the business site, off Hirst Wood Road, to control who is able to gain access.

It said the site - accessible to general traffic, was regularly used by people coming to the site for criminal or anti-social purposes.

A local police Inspector said the force were aware of anti-social incidents being reported at the site, and would support any efforts to make the site safer.

The application was approved by Bradford Council this week.

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Business on the site, next to the rail line, wrote letters of support for the plans, and highlighted the issues they face.

Mr Brooksbank said: "I have worked on this site since 1984 and I fully support the application. Over recent years anti-social behaviour has increased to an unacceptable level and whilst local police respond to specific complaints it makes little or no difference to the drug dealing and drug taking.

"The provision of a gate denying out of hours access to the yard should hopefully stop this."

Glyn Brown, who has run fastener supplier Archerdale Ltd on the site for over 28 years, said: “During all of those years we have operated on the site with a constant threat of theft, vandalism, anti social behaviour and trespassing. Drug taking, drug dealing and soliciting is regularly recorded on our CCTV system.

“Following a number of unauthorised entries to our premises by opportunist thieves we instruct staff to lock themselves into the building if working late or at weekends.

“The erection of a security gate will secure the site and enhance the neighbourhood after working hours and at weekends.”

Hendrik Moulds said: “I have worked for George Pickersgill & Sons Ltd on this site for 23 years. There has been a problem of people using the industrial estate for criminal activity including drug dealing for many years and this has increased in recent times.

“The gate proposed will solve this issue as there will be no unauthorised access out of normal office hours.”

Approving the plans, officers said: “The gates and associated fencing would be similar to other security fencing around the works and will be acceptable in terms of its scale, height, materials and colour. There will be no significant adverse effects on visual amenity or the character of the area.”

Inspector Craig Stothers of Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are aware of a handful of offences of anti-social behaviour in this area.

“We would welcome any application for enhanced security measures to help keep local businesses and residents feel safe.

“Anyone who has concerns about criminality or anti-social behaviour in their local area is encouraged to contact their local NPT team via 101 or online via westyorkshire.police.uk/101LiveChat”