Council set to extend street drinking order

Survey respondents said street drinking was putting them off visiting Bradford city centre

Councillors look set to extend an order aimed at reducing street drinking in Bradford, despite a survey suggesting few residents think it is working.

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which gives police and council officers extra powers to crack down on street drinking, was first introduced in the city centre in 2016, and is reviewed every three years.

But a recent public survey found that just 13% of people believed the existing order had helped to reduce the problem.

A report to Bradford Council recommends that the order, which also applies to the town centres of Keighley, Shipley and Bingley, be extended when the regulatory and appeals committee meets next Thursday.

The PSPO gives police and council officers the power to confiscate alcohol from people drinking in certain areas of the city and fine them up to £1,000.

The current order expires later this month and over the summer Bradford Council held a consultation on whether it should be continued until 2028.

The survey found many residents felt that street drinking was a major issue in all four areas of the district, but particularly in Bradford city centre.

Some respondents said drunken anti-social behaviour in the city centre threatened to undo the success of Bradford's year as City of Culture and regeneration projects like the pedestrianisation of the city centre.

The report to members said more than 180 people responded to the consultation, with 54% saying the level of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour had increased since the order was introduced, and just 13% saying it had reduced.

'Violence and vandalism'

Responding to the consultation, Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: "There have been significant concerns shared by residents, partners and special interest groups linking alcohol and serious violence which included violence against women and girls, criminal damage and vandalism.

"We have seen that Bradford 2025 has brought new life to the city, and we need to do all we can to ensure people feel safe and return.

"We are often approached by Bradfordians and local city-centre businesses about street drinkers and the impact they are having on feelings of safety.

"This was raised recently by the Broadway security team.

"We also know this can also impact on the loss of revenue due to shop theft and can also be linked to violence against shop workers."

Meanwhile Richard Padwell, Bradford district commander for West Yorkshire Police, said he was "all too aware" of the concerns about street drinking and related anti-social behaviour.

He said: "The current PSPO has allowed the partnership to take enforcement action regarding the anti-social behaviour relating to alcohol consumption in our urban centres in the last three years.

"The extension will enable the partnership to continue to take appropriate enforcement action, both enabling effective early intervention and allowing persistent offenders to be prosecuted."

One member of the public who responded said: "People on the streets of Bradford town centre are drinking, openly taking drugs, being aggressive and abusive and fighting openly with each other.

"It scares my seven-year-old daughter when we are out and about."

Another said drinking and drug taking was "very off-putting for people with young children like myself".

Hot-spot areas raised in the consultation include Ivegate, Kirkgate and Centenary Square.

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