Action call on drinking and fights in Tyrrel Street, Bradford

An area of Ivegate and Tyrrel Street has become a beacon for daytime alcohol drinking and fighting, business bosses claim.

Drug dealing has also been spotted in the area during the day.

Frustrated businesses say it is a daily problem and have called for bodies, including West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Council, to combat the issue. They would like to see an increase in patrols in the area, particularly from uniformed police officers and council wardens in order to deter such behaviour.

People have also been spotted in the area taking drugs and passing out on the benches.

The area of Tyrrel Street/Ivegate which has been a location for anti-social behaviour, leading to complaints from businesses

West Yorkshire Police says it is aware of the ongoing issues in the Tyrrel Street area of Bradford city centre and is working with the council and district alcohol and drug services to help address the issues.

The police added it is also aware of the impact the behaviour of a minority of individuals is having on others in this area of the city centre.

Firm bosses say it is an ongoing problem which has increased since the pandemic restrictions were lifted last year.

Terence Igbokwe, director of Lefteris Coffee & Tearoom, based on Tyrrel Street, says he cannot put out tables and chairs for customers to use due to the issues, which is denting his trade.

He said: "It's a regular problem.

“It is having a negative impact on the businesses around here.

We can’t put out our seats in front of the shop as what is going on is putting people of

"There is a group that come there from 6am, before my customers do.

"People avoid the area. We are in close proximity to where it is all happening.

"Their behaviour has to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Complaints have been made of groups drinking during the day in Tyrrel Street, Bradford

"We need to dispatch them from there. The presence of the police there would be quite helpful.

“We have contacted police about it and they told us to log any incidents we see, but I have a business to run. I can’t be policing people who are doing anti-social behaviour.

"The local authorities are not looking after the area.

"The police used to patrol this area quite often.”

Emma Burnell, manager of Freddie’s Discount Store, also on Tyrrel Street, says she spots anti-social behaviour at the area.

She said: “Something needs to be done.

“There are a lot of daytime drinkers, fighting and carrying on.

I’m seeing it every day. People are drinking and taking drugs there. They are stumbling around like zombies

“It has been quite bad this past year. They are just sat there all day every day.

“We don’t need the benches there moving, as that would just move the problem to somewhere else like City Park.”

Bike lockers at the spot at Tyrrel Street which has attracted anti-social behaviour

Meanwhile, Philip Taber, managing partner of Simpson Duxbury, a solicitors also based on Tyrrel Street, says staff often have to clean urine and human or dog stools on its office steps.

He said: “The area does have a reputation for people drinking around there.

“The best thing would be more patrols from police officers, council wardens and PCSOs.”

Acting Inspector Claire Stothers, of Bradford City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are very much aware of the ongoing issues in relation to anti-social behaviour in the Tyrrel Street area of Bradford City.

The behaviour of a minority of individuals is not something we want to see in the city and we are aware of the impact this is having on the community

“We are working with our local partners including the council, the homeless outreach team, local drug and alcohol services and council ASB problem solvers to address the issues.

“We continue to carry out joint patrols with the council, who can enforce the Public Space Protection Orders that are in place there.

“We are committed to doing everything we can with our partners to improve the city centre for residents and people visiting the city.”

Anyone who has any concerns about anti-social behaviour in their area is asked to contact your local NPT team via 101 or the live chat facility at westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus