New powers set to tackle trouble at riverside site

Council acts over beauty spot crowds

NEW POWERS to tackle the anti social behaviour, drug taking and “tomb-stoning” around a beauty spot could be approved.

In recent years warm weather has brought crowds of people to the Ilkley Riverside area,

which police say has created an “unprecedented demand” for the service.

Last summer despite Covid restrictions, huge crowds came to the Riverside area, many bringing alcohol, and the surge in visitors requires up to 20 officers to be diverted from other duties to tackle the crowds.

And the bridge across the river had to be closed on numerous occasions due to young people gathering to jump off the bridge and into the shallow river.

The repeated incidents brought the town unwelcome attention as the disorder and Covid breaches were featured in the national press.

Now Bradford Council has prowill

posed introducing a Public Space Protection Order, which would give council wardens the power to hand out large fines to people who drink, are under the influence of drugs or cause anti-social behaviour in the area.

At a meeting of the Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee next Thursday members decide whether to begin a six-week public consultation which would lead to the new order.

If implemented, people in the Riverside area could be fined up to £100 for acting in a threatening manner, drunken behaviour, littering, camping, lighting barbecues and “causing an obstruction or jumping from the footbridge over the River Wharfe connecting Ilkley with Denton Road and Middleton Woods”.

Failing to hand alcohol over to police could lead to a fine.

Members of the Committee will hear evidence from police and the Friends of Ilkley Riverside Park, who say they have “spent countless hours cleaning up the alcohol, food and drug litter day after day.”

A statement from the Friends of Ilkley Riverside said: “Activities continue often late into the night at which point the drinking is often accompanied by legal and illegal drugs.

“It has effectively become a “no go” area for residents during periods of hot weather.”