Peel Park damage: Ten 4x4 cars on rampage in Bradford park

Chairman of the Friends of Peel Park Janet Attwood said residents had been disturbed on Thursday night by the sound of revving engines in the park.

“Various residents made calls to the police but did not get any response. We would like to know why no one came. They were four-wheel drive vehicles and they were driving them around the park for about an hour and a half.

“They have gone the length and breadth of the park and they have churned up all the grass, left clods of mud all over footpaths and caused deep ruts and all sorts of damage. In some places it will need a mechanical digger to sort it out. We are disgusted and horrified by it.

“This park is well used by everyone and is a lovely place to go during lockdown, and so much work has been put into the park by both Bradford Council and our volunteers - it is terrible to think that such a place could be damaged like this, presumably by adults.”

Images and videos shared on social media show areas of the historic park in a state of disrepair, with large tyre tracks visible throughout.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers did attend but the vehicles fled the scene.“Police received a number of calls from members of the public on the evening of Thursday 14 January about some nuisance vehicles in Peel Park, Bradford.

Officers attended the scene and found some vehicles driving around in the area.

The vehicles fled shortly after away from the area.”

Chairman of Bradford Civic Society Si Cunningham has called for more to be done to protect the park after the incident. "I was utterly disgusted when I saw what these selfish idiots have done to our park. It's sadly not the first time it has happened.

He has written to Bradford Council to request security and access arrangements to be stepped up at the park. "I understand that police were called, but unfortunately it appears no action was taken at the time, so I would like the culprits to be tracked down and made to pay for the mess they've made.

"Peel Park is part of Bradford's heritage, and local residents have had enough of this kind of anti-social behaviour ruining it for the vast majority of decent people.

"I've asked Bradford Council to improve security at the park, and would like to see more investment in Peel Park in general, similar to other large parks in Bradford."

He added: “This has come as a bit of a tipping point for me. I come from that area and still go to Peel Park. Children play in it and older people walk in it - it clearly needs better security.

“We have had quad bikes and dirt bikes, and that problem is not going to be solved overnight, but I have never known of 4x4 vehicles like this coming in.”

Padlocks on the gates at Park Cliffe Road were broken by the intruders to gain access.

Bolton and Undercliffe Councillor David Ward (LibDem/Ind) said he had been contacted by Bradford Council about a proposed clean up of the paths and future repairs to the ground when the weather improves.

“The damage - most of which is in the fair field area - is to be tidied up.” He added: “The park is an asset, it is disrespectful that people should come along and trash it like this. It is like a slap in the face for those who look after it.”

Local councillor Rachel Sunderland (Lib Dem/Ind) said the access and how security could be improved was an “ongoing conversation”. “It is already reasonably secure - I don’t think there is any place without a physical barrier. We can seek to make it more secure but as a community we need to condemn these actions.

“The park has been a brilliant resource during lockdown with people like myself walking and exchanging smiles with others. It is heartbreaking that people could do this.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage, or CCTV footage is asked to contact the police via 101 quoting log number 1864 of 14 January.

Information can also be shared with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.