A BRADFORD MP has urged West Yorkshire Police to deliver a tougher crackdown on anti-social and criminal behaviour in Ravenscliffe.

Imran Hussain, Labour MP for Bradford East, visited the area yesterday and met with residents, who said that their lives were being made a misery.

It comes after buses passing through Ravenscliffe were subject to vandalism, attacks and youths throwing rocks and missiles.

This had led to cancelled and redirected bus services in the area, leaving many people without reliable public transport.

Mr Hussain met with West Yorkshire Police’s Chief Superintendent for Bradford and the Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector immediately after his visit.

He was reassured that the police would be providing “enhanced interventions” in Ravenscliffe over the coming days, alongside a stronger police presence, to deter the violent and anti-social behaviour taking place.

“The anti-social behaviour and violent vandalism that we are seeing in Ravenscliffe is absolutely shocking”, Mr Hussain said.

“Drivers and passengers should be able to undertake their journeys in safety and residents should be able to live in peace, yet the disgraceful actions of a few are threatening this.

“We cannot allow a small number of criminals to run riot any longer.

“We need to tackle the criminal behaviour in Ravenscliffe head-on, and we need to see much tougher police action, with a more determined use of the powers available to the police, and a much stronger frontline and neighbourhood police presence on the streets in the area not just to catch these thugs, but to provide a reassuring presence to local residents too.

“I am therefore pleased that during my meeting with senior police officers, West Yorkshire Police has committed to taking the action needed to make Ravenscliffe safer for residents.

“I remain disappointed that many of the local people I spoke to during my visit told me that the perpetrators are known to the police but that no action has been taken against them, and this must be an immediate priority.”

Earlier this week, a spokesperson from First West Yorkshire said: “The safety of our staff and customers is our highest priority and we are working closely with the police to investigate the incidents.

"Although isolated, such attacks can have very serious consequences and we would encourage anyone with information to contact the police or get in touch with Crimestoppers.

“Every time we have to divert buses or shorten a route it is disrupting the lives of local people in the communities we serve.”