Businesses will clear out of Bradford because there is so much crime and anti-social behaviour, warn company bosses operating on the same street.

The six firms on Tickhill Street, off Leeds Road, have counted "at least 60 incidents" of crime, including ramraiding, burglary, vehicle crime, vandalism and car-burning.

They are now calling on Bradford Council to improve security and tidy up the area and for the police to step up security.

Peter Townend, who owns Peter Townend Advertising Photography in South End Hall, has spent more than £10,000 turning his building into a fortress.

"The 60 incidents are just those we can remember," he said. "There are loads we don't even bother to report now.

"We have suffered numerous attempted break-ins, doors kicked in, ramraiding, burglaries, had two main doors broken and car windows smashed.

"Somebody tried to jack our window security bars open four weeks ago. Over the weekend, somebody ripped an ornamental Victorian lamppost from the building's foundations, then just left it on the floor. How mindless can you get?"

Mr Townend said cars were dumped on the street and set alight daily. He and his staff have blocked the entrance to the side of the building with a container to prevent cars being burned there.

He said fly-tipping was a huge problem on the street and claimed a drinks vending machine languished on the street for six months.

Other companies affected include Kirby Vacuums, haulage company Plantfix and Silver Bells, which hires out wedding cars.

Mike Buckroyd, of Plantfix, said: "It is just unbelievable. I have got 7ft high fencing and have containers broken into constantly.

"My insurance premiums have more than tripled and I am scared to claim in case I can't get insured."

One of his drivers returned in the early hours to find burglars ripping a hole in the wall with a lump hammer.

On Friday afternoon, three lorry windows were destroyed.

Mr Townend added: "We have got to the point where we are so frustrated with it. I pay £12,750 rates and we get no security for that - not even our bins are emptied now.

"We want security cameras and the area cleaning up, or we won't be staying much longer."

Two community beat police officers have been recently appointed for the area.

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of business owners' concerns. There are plans for crime reduction officers to visit the area with a view to setting up a business watch scheme.

"The crime reduction team will also assess the premises and offer practical crime prevention advice."

Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq (Labour, Bradford Moor) said: "I am more than happy to talk to them about these issues and see if it's possible to get funding from Regen 2000 or another agency. We will look at their problems and see what we can do.

"It is very important to keep businesses in Bradford."

A Regen 2000 spokesman said: "A business support project run by the Chamber of Commerce - Business Link - is up and running. Advice on security issues is one of many services it provides.

"A major improvement scheme for the Leeds Road area is also planned over the next three to four years, which will give Leeds Road and surrounding streets a major face lift and include anti-vandalism measures." Company owner Peter Townend is pictured outside his premises.