Anger over 'anti-social' dune buggies in the city centre

Witnesses say on a daily basis the vehicles can be seen causing a nuisance by driving in an anti-social manner.

Police are aware of the buggies and say they have issued fixed penalty notices for excessive noise in the past.

Dune buggies are causing a nuisance in Bradford city centre

Keith Wildman, owner of The Record Café on North Parade, is sick to death with the issue and wants it resolved.

He said: "For the last 18 months ago, it has been the same two or three vehicles. Customers and nearby residents are complaining too.

"If customers are sitting outside in the sun, you can see their eyes roll, they can hear the loud engine and music. 

"Sometimes they even drive on the pavements. It is purely done to be anti-social.

Another day of beach buggies antisocial behaviour. Noise. Uturns. Dangerous driving. All day. Shouting over them at work. How can 2 or 3 young lads hold a city centre hostage like this? @NazShahBfd @WYP_RPU @bradfordmdc @SHinchcliffe @KerstenEngland Please help with this.

— Keith Wildman (@KeithWildman) July 5, 2022

"It is such a visible issue and it has become draining. It’s a constant irritant. 

"I have spoken to police on a few occasions but there is nothing they can do."

Mr Wildman feels the issue is dragging the city centre down, at the worst time possible.

He added: "They must think they are the coolest kids on the block when they are just bringing down Bradford.

Keith Wildman criticised the 'anti-social' dune buggies

"The city centre has got a lot better in recent years and there are a lot of hard-working people running good businesses.

"We can’t afford to have a negative image now we know we are going to become UK City of Culture in 2025."

Inspector Richard Baildon, of the Bradford City Neighbourhood Policing team, encouraged more people to report crime.

He said: “We are aware of residents’ concerns involving anti-social driving in and around Bradford City Centre. 

“We work closely with colleagues for the Roads Policing Unit and Operation Steerside to target this issue. 

Cheers to @WYP_BradfordC for coming to chat this morning about the beach buggy / quad bikes. It’s on their radar. Hopefully something can be done. It’s been worse than ever today with music blasting out and laps every 30 mins or so. Maybe it needs new legislation from above.

— Keith Wildman (@KeithWildman) July 7, 2022

“When we see these dune buggies we check that they are fully licenced and have an MOT certificate. We have issued fixed penalty notices for some vehicles causing excessive noise. 

“I am acutely aware that anti-social driving is an issue for residents but we don’t actually receive many calls for service. 

“We would urge residents to report issues of anti-social driving to us, so we can deal with this and take robust action. 

“You can report this online via the report it options at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus or via 101 or via you local PCSO."