A businessman today dubbed Bradford's main shopping area 'Harassment Street' as a row erupted over city-centre beggars.

Gary Lorriman, a partner with Bradford Distribution Training Services in Piccadilly, was commenting after Bradford Retail Action Group called for action to move beggars who, it claimed, were frightening customers away.

But John Tempest, founder and director of Bradford Soup Run, which helps homeless people, hit back at traders' views.

He said: "What is needed is jobs, affordable housing and support for those less fortunate than ourselves. Homeless people who beg don't do it for recreational purposes - they do it because they are hungry, which should not be a crime."

But Mr Lorriman said: "You can't walk up and down Darley Street now without being harassed.

"Bradford is a scumbag of a city - I am ashamed to say, because I come from here. These problems are reported to the police and Council, but nobody does anything."

And the chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group, Jeff Frankel, claimed some 'tramps' begged for money, then drove off with it in cars.

The rumpus blew up after BRAG called for action in its response to the Council on the district's community plan which is constantly updated.

But volunteers on the Soup Run, who have been feeding homeless people on Fridays for 14 years, say that the number of people it serves have gone up to about 60 - with a record amount of young people among them.

Mr Tempest said many were victims of family break-ups.

"What they need is support, not castigation. Just because someone is at the foot of the heap doesn't mean they are rubbish.

"By all means clear the streets of litter but even those who believe Bradford Council is rubbish can differentiate between litter and people in need."

Mr Frankel said: "Some people aren't homeless and have been reported as collecting money by begging, then driving off in cars."

He still insisted that vagrants should be moved out of the shopping areas but said social services should be brought in to help people in genuine need.

"People like John do an excellent job in supporting people but social services need to be involved."

Council regeneration committee chairman Councillor Dave Green said he walked along Darley Street six days a week and could see no justification for calling it 'Harassment Street'.

He said the voluntary organisations or the Council's homeless unit helped people on the streets in need.

T&A Opinion

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.