Elderly people are afraid to enter Saltaire's historic park because of intimidating behaviour and under age drinking it has been claimed.

The Friends of Roberts Park and Shipley MP Philip Davies have urged police to use tough measures - including ASBOs - against gangs who intimidate passers-by, damage flower beds and drop litter.

But West Yorkshire Police said action was being taken with increased patrols and the issuing of acceptable behaviour contracts to some troublemakers.

And they have also handed out Section 59 final warnings to off-road motorcyclists, with the threat that bikes will be confiscated.

Insp Nigel Cawthorne said: "We have taken action to confront the problems, with some degree of success.

"We will continue to carry out high visibility patrols and use the anti-social behaviour legislation, although we don't have any ASBOs on people down there at the moment."

The police are working with trading standards officers to prevent underage drinkers getting hold of alcohol.

Sharon Ashton, chairman of Friends of Roberts Park, said: "We have been looking into getting an order to prevent people drinking in the park and we would urge more police patrols.

"We are still getting a lot of horror stories about people's experiences in the park.

"A lot of older people are reluctant to walk through when it gets dusk because of young people hanging around drinking beer and breaking bottles.

"I walked through the park last week and there were two kids having a full-on boxing match. What must people think when they see that?"

A recent litter pick in the park produced three truck-loads of rubbish, including beer bottles and cans.

Gardeners are said to be reluctant to plant new flowers because they are ripped up soon after, while the cricket pitch has also been vandalised.

In one incident earlier in the year, a girl was hit on the head by a stone while visiting the park.

Mr Davies says the park problems have been raised during his surgeries and he has written to the police expressing constituents' concerns and encouraging more action.

He added: "There are a number of weapons at the police's disposal and I would support any tough action that's necessary."