BRADFORD’S multi-million pound City Park development and one of the city’s historic buildings are being blighted by rough sleepers and drug users whose numbers in the city are on the increase.

The council says it knows of 16 people sleeping rough in the city though the unofficial numbers could be much higher.

The rise in homeless people has been acknowledged by some councillors.

Their presence is a thorn in the side of the council which has been instrumental in encouraging the redevelopment of the city.

When the Telegraph & Argus recently visited Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court, makeshift beds and food packets were discovered beneath a low wall only yards from the mirror pool.

There has also been evidence of drug use and rough-sleeping at the front of St George’s Hall, which is closed for a major refurbishment.

Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, said she and others had noticed an increase in homelessness, though stressed Bradford did not have as big a problem as other cities.

“We have noticed a rise - in rough sleeping - but the question which needs asking is why?

“There has to be a reason. It could be that a facility has closed or that more people are being drawn to the centre because more charities are giving out free food.

“On a human level people do not want to see homelessness. It is upsetting. I will be speaking to our chief executive about it.

“We are nowhere near as bad as say Leeds, Manchester or Birmingham, but we have to get to the bottom of what’s changed in our city.”

Val Summerscales, for Bradford Chamber of Trade, said: “We are obviously aware that reports show there are concerns about the apparent increase in rough sleepers and drug-takers in key areas of the city centre, such as near City Park and Centenary Square.

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“This is a worry as that particular area is the catalyst of all our regeneration hopes for the city centre,” she said.

Visitors are also drawn to the city by the thriving Broadway centre and the current redevelopment of Xchange - formerly Arndale House - as well as plans for a new cinema on Broadway itself likely to attract more people.

Mrs Summerscales added: “Businesses rely on visitors and City Park has been created as a family-friendly open space environment for everyone to enjoy. It would be a great shame if all the hard work undertaken and still being undertaken by so many people to promote Bradford is undermined by a few people who seem unable to turn their lives around.”

Evidence drug use was on the increase had been noted by a charity which helps users to recover.

A spokesman for the Piccadilly Project, which helps addicts through referrals and drop-ins, said the centre was at its busiest.

“There are definitely more incidents of drugs use. We are the busiest we have ever been,” she said.

A spokesman for the magistrates’ court said it had been made aware of the rough sleepers on the property. Police confirmed an incident was lodged with them.

Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City), said he was aware of the problem and it was not the image the council wanted to portray. He said the council was working alongside the police to tackle it.

“There is no quick fix for the problem,” said Cllr Azam. “We need to find a solution but we have to be careful we don’t just move the problem on to someone else.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “When we are made aware of any rough sleepers we inform our outreach teams so they can put them in touch with those who can help.”

“We are constantly working with other agencies to try to help people who end up living on the streets.”

Jabaar Asal, project manager of Bradford No Second Night Out, said: “The project has an outreach team that both supports those rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping and completes street based outreach activity regularly, and, often in partnership with the police and other local providers.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman added: “Partnership work is ongoing in Bradford city centre to make sure that people sleeping rough are identified and referred to services for further assistance.

“Drug use in Bradford city centre will not be tolerated.”