Anti-social driving a big concern - police say

Anti-social car use, including drivers revving their engines or catcalling from their vehicles, is a significant concern for residents in Bradford, police have said.

The council is considering plans to extend a public space protection order (PSPO) to clamp down on driver behaviour that causes a nuisance, but is not necessarily illegal.

The order was first introduced by Bradford Council in 2019 and more than 400 motorists have been fined since then.

Ch Supt Richard Padwell from West Yorkshire Police said the anti-social use of vehicles "continues to be one of the most significant concerns for our communities, as is frequently evidenced in community safety meetings and surveys".

He said the existing PSPO, which also targets car meets, "significantly contributes to maintaining public safety, reducing anti-social behaviour and ensuring that the communities of Bradford are safe from this type of activity."

Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire's deputy mayor for policing and crime, said officers found that "anti-social behaviour related to driving disproportionately impacted women and girls".

Lowe said she believed the PSPO would "support our targeted work" to tackle issues around women's safety.

Bradford Council asked the public for its views on the proposed extension earlier this year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A total of 942 people responded, of which 97% said anti-social vehicle use was "a big problem" or "a fairly big problem".

Most people supported the PSPO.

Councillors will discuss the proposed extension at a meeting on Thursday.

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