City centre alleyway could be shut to tackle crime

A city centre alleyway that has been linked to drug dealing and serious crime could be gated off over claims it creates issues "well beyond typical anti-social behaviour."

The passage that links Bradford's historic Ivegate to New Market Place has become infamous in recent years as a hotspot for criminal activity.

Bradford Council has submitted plans to gate it off in a bid to tackle the issue, saying the problems are "hindering business growth" in the area.

But this could set a "concerning precedent" and lead to other public areas being closed off, according to Bradford Civic Society.

Police have been called for drug dealing, assaults and a rape in the alley in recent years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The planning application said this level of attendance was "unsustainable" and the increase in crime was "hindering business growth" in the area.

"The issues at this site [are] well beyond typical anti-social behaviour issues experienced by city centres," it stated.

The application seeks for black wrought iron gates in an Art Nouveau style to be fitted at each side of the passage.

Ivegate is one of Bradford's oldest streets and was once one of the city's main shopping destinations.

It lies within the City Centre Conservation Area and is part of the £2m Heritage Action Zone, aimed at improving the appearance of city centre buildings.

A spokesperson for Bradford Civic Society said closing the route "may help reduce some ongoing criminal activities".

"It does risk setting a concerning precedent around the removal of access to some of Bradford's more interesting and historic streets," they added.

The society said the practice of "designing out crime", known as hostile design, was under review nationally and may impact future plans around the issue.

A decision on the planning application is expected in June.

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