Call for stronger measures to tackle Bradford anti-social behaviour

Bradford Council’s Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) came into force in October 2019 and unless it is extended, will end on October 29.

There has been “convincing support” for it to be extended, but questions have been raised about the impact it has made in the time it has been in force.

Empty drink bottles strewn on the floor in Bradford city centre (Image: Adam Porter/T&A Camera Club)

A report to a meeting of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee, says: “Since 2019, 50 per cent believe that the level of alcohol-related ASB has increased and 25 per cent say that it has remained the same, with 12 per cent saying that it has reduced.”

While there was broad support for the extension of the PSPO, 40 per cent of people said they do not feel any safer, while 38 per cent said they have not seen any difference.

And when discussing why they did not feel safer, people said there are more anti-social street drinkers; there are not enough officers to enforce the PSPO, it’s not effective and the current arrangements do not address the issue either in principle, or in terms of staffing available to address the problem.

People also raised concerns about raised voices, public fighting and feeling intimated.

The report also pinpoints the main areas of concern for alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

These are Ivegate; Centenary Square; Hustlergate; North Parade; the bottom of Sunbridge Road; Bradford city centre and Forster Square.

Crowgill Park in Shipley was also identified as an area of concern, along with some areas of Keighley town centre.

The report says: “It should also be pointed out, however, that the PSPO in isolation will not resolve the problems of street drinking by those with multiple and complex needs.

“Support work done in the ‘Top of Town’ (Bradford city centre) area has shown that many from the ‘street drinking community’ had withdrawn from a range of services during the Covid period and this would be likely to make their needs more acute.”

It adds: “City Centre Beat welcomes the extension of the PSPO to challenge anti-social drinking in the city centre.

“However, they were also keen that the order needs greater resourcing to have an impact on the problems, particularly associated with street drinkers.

“Bradford BID (Business Improvement District) fully support the extension of the PSPO and recognise that it has had an impact on tackling anti-social behaviour.

“However, in doing so, they also would like to place on record their view that the current order lacks effectiveness and request the Council to strengthen its resources for enforcement of the order, particularly with regard to street drinking.”

“West Yorkshire Police support the extension of the order. Neighbourhood Policing Inspectors for Keighley and Bradford Central feel that the current PSPO would be more effective with greater resourcing and that the current wording in the order could be amended to allow the officers to better respond to anti-social behaviour.”

Alison Lowe, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, back the extension of the PSPO and said: “Through our engagement with communities, statutory partners and third sector we know the impact of ASB from regular users of alcohol in our town and city centres.

“I also know many of those who will be impacted by the PSPO may have multiple and complex needs, so I do support their need for referral for additional support.

“Taking this into account I am supportive of the PSPO which will help us reduce alcohol-related crime and ASB and support our joint vision across Bradford district.”

Councillors will be told that to respond to concerns, there is a proposal to amend the order to “allow us to better respond to incidents of anti-social behaviour”.

The report says: “This will enable us to tackle and take action against the more persistent offenders.

“The new wording is proposed to include in the revised order adds to the list of behaviours that constitute a breach of the order: repeated drunken and anti-social behaviour is such which includes but is not restricted to shouting; swearing; intimidating others; harassing others; urinating in a public place.”

The meeting will be held on Thursday in City Hall.