Fly-tipping, fights and people having sex in cars are among a catalogue of problems blighting a Bradford village, it has been claimed.

Residents in Cottingley say they have been plagued with anti-social behaviour for several years, with little being done to tackle the problems – although police say they are working to address those concerns.

The village’s Lee Lane has been hit with ‘year-round’ anti-social behaviour, with its quiet country lanes being fly-tipped and used as a race track by nuisance drivers late at night and in the early hours of the morning.

Locals say they have been kept up at night by the roaring engines of cars ‘speeding’ – with fears that the village is being used as a meet-up point for gangs between Bradford and Keighley.

One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “We don’t know what more to do.

“We’ve reported the incidents to the police, but this isn’t something new, it’s been happening for years, and we aren’t seeing any more patrols in the area.”

Councillor Paul Sullivan (Conservative, Bingley Rural) has also raised concerns with West Yorkshire Police about the anti-social behaviour, highlighting residents’ issues.

He said: “I have been working with the neighbours for years, trying to get the police to do some patrolling of the area.

“Residents have had to deal with drugs, people having sex in their cars, fly-tipping and fights.

“I’m pro-police being a former police officer, but you can’t get away from the fact that police aren’t dealing with it, going back years.”

The resident’s main concern was over how many incidents had been reported to the police, yet they weren’t seeing an increased police presence or patrols.

They said: “Why aren’t there police cameras or anything to stop these people from tearing our streets up?

“We’re a quiet village and it’s being used as a rat run for drug dealers between Keighley and Bradford.

“Every day we find laughing gas canisters, empty take-out boxes and it’s not fair.

“We’ve been raising our concerns, but it doesn’t seem like anything’s being done.”

Dangerous driving has also been listed as one of the many issues the village has been blighted by, with a horse rider nearly killed and a dead deer was found on the side of the road.

Local MP, Phillip Davies, is aware of the situation and has raised it with Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Police.

Inspector Craig Stothers of Shipley Neighbourhood Policing team said: “Neighbourhood policing officers continue to work closely with partners, councillors, the local MP and residents in the area to address concerns about anti-social behaviour.

“We understand the impact anti-social behaviour can have on people’s lives and we take all reports seriously.

“I would continue to urge residents to reports any incidents by calling us on 101 or use the live chat facility at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus.”

In late June, Sgt Terri Green issued a warning to drivers who inhale so-called laughing gas on Lee Lane.

She tweeted: “A driver identified as parking up and doing balloons on Lee Lane in Wilsden last week has been issued with an ASB sanction tonight. 

“Don't come onto my patch and cause ASB - it’s not cool. I police some beautiful areas. Stop spoiling it.”

As far back as 2019, police had been trying to tackle issues in Lee Lane.

In late 2019, police tweeted: “Officers attended an address this evening following a vehicle seen on Lee Lane in Bingley engaging in sexual activity.

“A Section 59 warning was issued. Don't come here to have sex. It's not nice for the locals to see.”

The warning sparked an instant response on social media, with one Facebook poster pointing out: “It’s been known as a ‘lovers lane’ since the 60's, so don't buy a house there if you don't want that sort of thing near you! “Snowflakes these days!”