A BRADFORD shopkeeper has expressed concern over alleged anti-social behaviour taking place inside and outside his shop.

Ishwar Patel, who owns Woodside Food & Wine on Trenholme Avenue in Low Moor, says there have been incidents dating back to May this year where teenagers, he claims, have committed "criminal damage" and "theft."

Mr Patel has described the teenagers as being "out of control".

He says he has repeatedly banned them from the shop, although claims they have returned only to damage his windows, shoplift and even try to pay for things with counterfeit money.

He claims that, in August, a teenager was "throwing stones" at his shop. Mr Patel argues that incidents like this deter customers and are "affecting business."

Mr Patel has contacted the police and reported the incidents but argues that "the police don’t always come". On the "rare occasions" where they have responded and investigations have taken place, Mr Patel says they always "fizzle out" and "nothing is done."

Mr. Patel cites "a lack of resources" as the reason for the apparent absence of police intervention. He also described the crime in his area as "worrying" and said "some of the children may grow up to stab someone" if the right measures are not taken.

"Some of the youths act as though they are above the law, but that's because no one does anything about their behaviour."

"A lot of shopkeepers don't report things like this. We have to put up with a lot before we even consider doing so."

Some of the CCTV footage from Woodside Food & Wine, according to Mr Patel, shows teenagers outside the shop kicking his windows.

This is not the first time Mr Patel has voiced concerns over anti-social behaviour - in 2017, he claimed that he had to ban a group of teenagers for shoplifting, only for them to make what he described as an "intimidating" return.

Back then, he was also subjected to racial slurs and insults by youths at his shop: "They call us immigrants and are telling us to 'get out of their country'. It’s a lot worse than it used to be", he said.

Even now, Mr Patel believes some of the incidents may have racial undertones - "They still treat us as if we're foreigners, it's idiotic."

He did, however, stress that he would not let the actions of a "small section" of youths affect his opinion of the majority of "good-willed" people in the local area.

"I don't want all the good people around here to think I'm talking about them. It's only a small minority of people who are exhibiting this moronic behaviour."

Inspector Carl O'Brien, who leads the Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We are aware of the issues involving Mr Patel’s shop and are currently making enquiries into the most recent incident where a window was damaged."

"The Bradford South Neighbourhood Policing Team works closely with partners and the community to identify those involved in crime and anti-social behaviour and will take action against those found to be responsible for offending."