BRADFORD’S City Park is a fantastic public space that has showcased many fine events since it opened.

But concerns remain about the number of groups of people who are congregating in the area and effectively using it as an open-air drinking den.

It is reassuring that police have cracked down on the problem, with officers confiscating alcohol 300 times and making 126 arrests in the area.

Too many traders, though, say the problem has not gone away yet, and that the anti-social behaviour is ruining what should be a showpiece attraction for families.

There are complaints of regular drunken behaviour including public urination putting people off bringing families into the park.

It is undoubtedly a difficult problem for the police and council to deal with. A public open space like this will attract all strata of society, and the fine weather we have had this year will have exacerbated the public drinking problem.

And no-one wants to stop people from having a good time, which can sometimes involve boisterous behaviour and having a drink or two.

But the sort of behaviour being complained about here clearly goes well beyond that.

The recent police action is extremely welcome, but it needs to go beyond a single crackdown, and remain as a tough no-tolerance policy that sees anyone breaching the rules and regulations on alcohol and behaviour removed and, if necessary, arrested and dragged through the courts.