Arrests made in action to keep women safe on Bradford streets

Bradford District is covered by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), managed by Bradford Council, which prohibits drivers from causing alarm, harassment or distress whilst in their cars.

Drivers seen engaging in such activity, ranging from dangerous driving offences to verbally harassing persons on the street, could well face prosecution under the terms of the Protection Order.

In the last six months, 18 operations have been carried out and 21 breaches for PSPOs have been given out; eight for anti-social driving and 13 in relation to inappropriate behaviour towards women and girls.

19 vehicles have been seized, 72 traffic offences reported, and six people arrested.

Anti-social driving can take many forms; making other members of the public feel uncomfortable by the use of sexualised language being shouted from moving vehicles is a breach of the @bradfordmdc Public Space Protection Order. We'll continue to enforce this power.@Safer_Bradford https://t.co/eOQDSQlVHF

— Steerside Enforcement Team (@WYP_Steerside) June 15, 2022

Officers have been conducting an operation in parts of the city to build up an intelligence picture following third-party reports of females being harassed by drivers.

Although reports have been circumstantial, police have taken early action to reassure residents in the areas and nip any issues ‘in the bud’ if instances are seen. 

Police have been working with the University of Bradford and the Council regarding the matter after taking third-party reports from the university before Christmas about unwanted sexual comments being made to women in student areas.

Police mounted visible patrols in parts of the city at key times to provide reassurance but have also deployed plain clothes officers in other deployments to get a better picture of what has been taking place.

Detective Superintendent Tanya Wilkins of Bradford District Police, said: “Police take all reports of violence against women and related offences such as harassment very seriously, and believes women should feel safe to walk our streets.

“At the end of last year officers were made aware of concerns expressed by female students of the behaviour of some drivers in the city which made them feel threatened and unsafe including harassment and unwanted comments made against them.

“As many of these reports were third-hand only, officers have been conducting patrols in identified student areas to gain a better understanding of any problems and build an intelligence picture of what is taking place.

“Uniformed reassurance patrols have been and will continue to remain ongoing in affected areas also.

“Harassment of women and girls in any way is unacceptable and we will look to utilise any necessary police and partnership powers to positively tackle any issues identified at an early stage.”