Bradford Council waives fines for drunken people on the banks of the Ilkley River

An order fining people for anti-social behavior such as drunkenness and drug use in areas of Ilkley has been dropped.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering the Ilkley Riverfront was implemented in May 2021 to reduce the increase in reports of anti-social behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Bradford Council spokesman said conditions had changed to such an extent that the order was no longer necessary after it expired at the end of May.

Councilor Andrew Loy said it was “extremely disappointing news” and was “a step backwards”, despite only two people being fined in three years.

Mr Loy, who is councilor for the Ilkley and Ben Rhydding ward, said: “The PSPO was the right approach to tackle anti-social behavior on our riverside, but it needed more resources to enforce it properly.”

He added: “Now we get the bombshell news that the PSPO has expired and the council has chosen not to extend it without even consulting ward councillors.

“This is a step backwards and seems to be more about cutting costs than doing what is right for Ilkley.

“We will continue to push for much more action on this issue.”

The order was initially implemented to address a reported increase in anti-social behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bradford Council surveyed 571 people before implementing the order, which found 82% of people supported the proposals.

The order prohibited behaviors including drunkenness or refusal to stop drinking, being under the influence of controlled drugs, lighting fires, littering and sleeping outdoors overnight.

Mr Loy added: “The timing of this couldn’t be worse, coming just before the summer months when we are likely to see the worst problems.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council added: “Levels of anti-social behavior have fallen over the past three years as the number of gatherings in the area has fallen since the end of the pandemic, meaning actions can be reduced.

“Furthermore, parts of the order duplicated police powers, blurring the lines of jurisdiction.

“We will continue to work with the police to tackle any anti-social behaviour.”

Since the order was implemented, only two tickets have been issued, with the council spokesman saying “most people responded well when police or council officers engaged with them and gave them advice”.