RESIDENTS of a housing complex are calling on Bradford Council to block off a walkway near their homes after claiming it has become a “dangerous” hotspot for drug use and anti-social behaviour.

More than 60 people have signed a petition to block the right of way through Regency Court in Girlington, a path that links Whetley Lane and Walker Drive.

They say the path is plagued by groups of youths who “bully and intimidate” passers-by, and is a haven for drinking, drug use, and prostitution. Staff tasked with maintaining the site claim they are constantly having to clear the walkway of drinks cans, litter, and discarded syringes.

The petition reads: “The quality of life and safety is being compromised for people who live in the area. The walkway has attracted undesirables who are intent on causing a nuisance and we, the local residents, would like to see it closed.”

Lee Williams, director of Venture Block Management, which manages the site, said: “People working here shouldn’t be expected to deal with this on a day-to-day basis. We’ve got responsibility from a health and safety point of view for anyone who visits the site, and I can’t say that no-one is going to get injured or infected by using that right of way.

“In an ideal world we would close it and then put electronic gates at the front, making it a gated development. Our caretaker shouldn’t have to go and tackle groups of youths at 11 o’clock at night on his own, that’s not safe. We have had pitched battles on here with groups of ten or 20 individuals throwing sticks, bats, and god knows what about. But, they just shoot off down the walkway, and they’re gone.”

Gerry Stringer, director of Regency Court Management Bradford Ltd, and a resident at the site, added: “If we could get it blocked off, people would have piece of mind living here. It’s dangerous.

“Young children, out of pure curiosity, could be touching those needles and getting infected.”

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, paid a visit to the site and agreed to submit the petition on the residents’ behalf to the Council and West Yorkshire Police.

She said: “On a positive note, we've actually got less young people coming into drugs than ever before, and we've done a lot of preventative work that has been amazing.

"I have spoken to police about the wider problem of anti-social behaviour and drug use, and as people have been moved out of the city centre they have gone into residential areas.

"We have had so many cuts to front-line policing, and this is a prime example of that, when PCSO's who used to come here are just not there anymore.

“This is being left to residents to deal with, and that shouldn’t happen. It is absolutely not right, there are young children who shouldn’t have to be exposed to areas where there are needles, it is completely unacceptable.”

Staff at the site said they used to have a positive relationship with local PCSO’s, but had lost contact since they were transferred elsewhere, leading to a reduced visible police presence in the area.

Despite their claims of regular illegal and anti-social incidents, Inspector Tom Casey, who leads the Bradford West Area Neighbourhood Team, said: “We are not aware of any recent anti-social behaviour or crime issues involving this location and would ask anyone with concerns to speak with our local officers so we can work with our partner agencies to address these.”

Ms Shah said she had forwarded the petition to Council leaders on Friday, but a spokesman for the authority said it was yet to be received.

They simply said: “When we receive the petition it will be fully considered and we will be in touch with the lead petitioner.”

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