“HOTSPOTS” for dangerous driving across Bradford have been revealed, as police figures show that the number of incidents and arrests are on the increase.

A Freedom of Information request by the Telegraph & Argus found that between April 1, 2012, and May 22 this year, 452 dangerous driving-related offences were recorded across the district.

Of these incidents, 334 led to those involved being arrested or voluntarily attending a police station.

The offences covered by the figures include dangerous driving, causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

In 2014/15, police recorded 89 offences across the district, with 69 leading to arrests or people voluntarily speaking to officers. In 2015/16, recorded offences rose by 47 per cent to 132, with 101 resulting in arrests or voluntary attendances.

The number of incidents from April 1 to May 22 this year was recorded as 22, which if continued at the same average rate across the year, would lead to a total of 163 offences for 2016/17.

The area with the highest number of offences was the City ward with 38, including one incident which is being investigated as a death by dangerous driving case, one of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, and 36 dangerous driving incidents.

The second highest was Bowling and Barkerend with 35, all dangerous driving incidents, with Manningham third-highest with 34, including two offences of causing death by dangerous driving and one of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The highest figure outside Bradford was the Keighley Central ward with 14 offences, including one of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and two of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Eight offences were recorded in Keighley East, four in Keighley West, six in Shipley, and five in the Bingley and Bingley Rural wards.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The upturn in figures coincided with the establishment of ‘Operation Steerside’ by West Yorkshire Police - inspired by the T&A’s ‘Stop the Danger Drivers Campaign’ - both designed to encourage a crackdown on dangerous driving across the Bradford district.

Figures released last week showed that 3,455 drivers had been caught for a variety of reasons by Steerside officers since the operation began in February.

Commenting on the figures, Sergeant Cameron Buchan, who is leading Steerside, said: “The top three areas were on our radar when we set up Operation Steerside, and they are certainly still on that radar.

“The numbers going up isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I actually find it encouraging. Offences of dangerous driving are only recorded when we’ve got someone to charge. So, if the numbers are going up, it means more people are being charged and dealt with. It means we are catching more people. Steerside will certainly have had an impact, as we have caught people driving dangerously under the law.

“What the T&A and police campaigns have done is raise the profile of these offences, and empowered the public to feel that they can report these matters.”

Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City) said he wasn’t surprised the city ward had the highest number of offences due to its high volume of traffic. He said: “Dangerous driving is a problem, there’s no denying it. I am not shocked that the figures are highest in the city ward, as it includes the city centre and people from all over the district use the roads. But, the amount of offences is certainly very concerning. The fact is that these crimes are committed by a small minority, and the police and yourselves are doing a good job in trying to crack down on the issue.”

Councillor Hassan Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) described incident numbers in his ward as “ridiculous.”

“I see it with my own eyes,” he said. “Young lads in expensive cars, they just don’t care. Where do they get money for these cars? How can they afford them?

“They don’t care for the law, they are wild. We can’t tolerate it.”

Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) said the worst “hotspot” in his ward was Manningham Lane, but also highlighted Lumb Lane and North Park Road as problem areas.

“Driving standards in Bradford have definitely got worse,” he said.