Life in one of Yorkshire’s most violent boroughs, where ‘if you pick on someone, they won’t back down’

Locals in one of Yorkshire’s most violent boroughs have spoken of the ‘no go’ park, the fear of going out at night and the terror of young people and their wild dogs.

Buttershaw in Bradford is one of the most deprived areas in the country according to the English Indices of Deprivation, placing it in the bottom ten per cent. The neighborhood, known for its towering blocks of flats and 1940s-style housing, was the setting for the 1980s cult film Rita, Sue and Bob Too.

Residents say the culture hasn’t changed much since then. Between February 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024 alone, 383 violent and sexual crimes were reported in the residential area.

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West Yorkshire Police say the figures are an improvement on previous years. Bradford Council has described it as “one of the most deprived areas in the borough” but says it is working hard to make it “safer and better”.

A macho look can still serve as an advantage when walking the streets, according to Ian Judson’s grandfather, who has tattoos all over his body. There is one of Marilyn Monroe, which he had sketched himself, a broken chain with the name of an ex-girlfriend, altered after they broke up, and a raised Yorkshire with the legend of Ian’s home town, ‘Keighley’.

Asked about the violent statistics, Ian, a retired machinist, said: “It surprises me. I feel safe, but I don’t go out after midnight.

“It’s pretty tough. If you choose someone, they won’t back down. A bit like Rita, Sue and Bob Too. They are motorcycles that go up and down, do wheelies and everything. I never catch them!

“I never had any problems. I think it’s because of the way I look.”

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“Fight and Robbery”

In the past, it had a much worse culture of “fighting and looting,” according to another local. He described it as a “nursery” compared to how it was in the past.

Danny Shields, 62, an ex-army marksman and retired demolitions expert, said: “A lot of people give it a bad name. It used to be rough, mean, fighting and looting, everything. It’s a nursery now compared to what it was.”

Asked why there was such a culture of violence in the neighborhood, the grandfather-of-three remarked: “Boredom. People just wanted a fight. Lack of work.”

Mother-of-two Jane Smithe makes her living transporting drugs around the borough for Swift Buttershaw Pharmacy in Reevy Road. She argued that there is a culture of disrespect for the police that has permeated the neighborhood.

Jane said: “My friend was a police officer and he left because he was ill and they had no control. There is no respect for the police.

“But anywhere you’re going to have problems with young people, I think it has a bad rep. I think the police here in Buttershaw are rolling their eyes, I don’t think they’re the police they used to be.”

“Don’t go to the park”

Jane went on to describe the local park and Premier store in Reevy Road as no-go areas after dark. Locals said the shop is regularly targeted by thieves

Jane added: ‘You don’t let them into the park after dark. Wibsy Park is not great, kids throwing bottles at other kids, dogs on leads attacking other dogs. And my daughter, who is 26, will not go into that store at night.”

The pharmacy worker described youths on motorbikes as a “massive” problem and said she regularly saw high-speed chases through the area. She believes the criminals are people from outside the area who come to Buttershaw to wreak havoc.

Jane said: “A lot of the murders that happen here are not from Buttershaw. They come to Buttershaw to do it. They rob stores and steal cars.”

Jane added that balloons had to be deployed between the large courtyard outside the pharmacy and Ridings Way as people were running away from police using it as an escape route from Reevy Road.

Operation Steerside

West Yorkshire Police said the area has “socio-economic challenges” related to crime and anti-social behaviour. The force has detailed what it has been doing to tackle crime.

Inspector Adam Beecroft from Bradford South Neighborhood Policing Team said: “We are aware of residents’ concerns about crime and anti-social behavior in the area.

“Over the last few years, we’ve actually seen a reduction in calls for ASB and violent crime. As a neighborhood policing team we have dedicated officers led by a sergeant who are committed to policing the Buttershaw area and carrying out regular proactive patrols and will continue to do so.

“My team is working with a range of partners to address the socio-economic challenges that have been identified in the area and are commonly linked to crime and anti-social behaviour.

“We are working closely with our colleagues at Operation Steerside to tackle the issue of young people on motorbikes, with regular operations targeting naughty bikes and anti-social driving.

“Wibsey Park is regularly patrolled with PCSOs and the off-road bike team. We also work in partnership with the council who have rangers in the park. Positive lines of inquiry are taking place in relation to thefts and vehicle offenses in the area.”

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “We recognize that Buttershaw is one of the most deprived areas in the borough. Various services across Bradford Council are working hard with many other partners and residents to make the area safer and a better place to live for everyone.”

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