A Bradford councillor is calling for the demolition of an empty mill after an 11-year-old boy fell through its roof.

Councillor Keith Dredge revealed that he and his Council colleagues has been concerned about the state of the building and problems of anti-social behaviour at the mill, off Wirefield Road, Ingrow , Keighley .

They have spent months working with police and Bradford Council to trace its owner.

Coun Dredge (Lab, Keighley West) said he and his colleagues Councillors Jan Smithies and Andrew Farley were “well aware” of problems on the site, which have included children sneaking into the building.

He said: “The building has been a problem for a while and it’s a mess. It’s taking valuable time away from the fire service.

“To be fair to the owners they could make the place like Fort Knox and people would still get in. The only solution is to get the building demolished.”

Coun Smithies said Council officers were exploring what legal powers they had to force the owners to either make the building secure or demolish it.

The 11-year-old boy was taken to hospital with head injuries after he fell through the building’s roof on Tuesday, August 28.

Bradford Council has inspected the building and discovered it was not in danger of collapse.

Tony Raby, the Council’s principal building control surveyor, said: “It has been boarded up against unauthorised entry at ground level although, as with any building, if people are determined to gain access – especially by climbing onto the roof – they will be able to.

“There are also warning signs stating that the roof is fragile and telling people to keep out of the building.

“Although the Council has limited powers, the owners of private property remain responsible for the maintenance and safety of their buildings.”

Coun Val Slater, the Council’s executive member for housing, planning and transport, said: “We recognise the concerns of local people about the site being used for anti-social behaviour and know that local councillors are working with the police to guard against this.”

It was the home of joinery firm Broster and Smith but the company sold the site 17 years ago, and it has changed ownership at least three times since.