A NEW cycle park and shelter in Ilkley town centre is acting as a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

Residents say they are being plagued by anti-social behaviour including excessive alcohol intake, smoking of drugs, urinating in the open areas, littering and loud noise.

One resident who lives in a nearby apartment said: "It is a nightmare, it is a bad idea, it is a monstrosity and it needs to go."

Since the construction of the shelter in Back Grove Road the resident says she has lost her privacy and been subject to a raft of anti social behaviour and abuse. She can't visit her bins without being abused and her buzzer has been pressed.

"I have photos where a girl is urinating," she said. "I see them using drugs and drinking alcohol and they leave it in a mess - just feral behaviour."

The resident has met with Cllr Kyle Green and police in a bid to resolve the situation but she has been advised it could get worse when pubs reopen.

Councillor Kyle Green (Con, Ilkley) said: "While I welcome measures to promote active travel such as the installation of more places to safely secure bikes, it is clear that the decision to build the covered seating area has clearly created anti social behaviour in this area where there wasn't an issue previously. It is hugely frustrating that Bradford Council did not discuss this installation with the police before installing it. I hope that Bradford Council now listen to the concerns that residents and the police have over this and remove the sheltered seating area which is already a magnet for people who I have had reports of taking drugs, urinating against the structure and creating litter issues."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) who has raised the issue with Bradford Council said: "Producing meeting spaces - badly lit and secluded - without consideration of safety aspects is not a good idea.

"It is proved repeatedly that skateboard parks etc tend to attract loiterers after hours producing anti social behaviour at times. More thought should have been put into this shelter.

"Currently as we know there is no CCTV. We need to be more conscious of safety. The police - admittedly we need more - cannot be everywhere."

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “The Ilkley cycle hub has been delivered through the Emergency Active Travel funding to improve cycling and walking throughout the district.

“The bench and shelter have been installed by a local business, Cycle Commute Café, which is offering to maintain and look after the site once it is completed.

“We’re aware there have been some complaints about anti-social behaviour in the area and of course sympathise with anyone suffering problems with such issues. We have been liaising with the police and with Bradford Council’s Youth Service about doing some engagement work in the area.

“It is very early days to assess the impact of any new installation, especially in the middle of a lockdown we are only just starting to come out of, which will naturally increase footfall and activity in the area and provide more oversight.

“We will of course monitor the situation and look to address any issues in the area, whether they take place at the cycle hub or elsewhere.”

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "Over the weekend, police received reports of anti-social behaviour in Ilkley town centre.

"Incidents of criminal damage and public order were reported on Saturday 13 March. Officers were deployed to the area but the suspects had fled the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing to identify the perpetrators including examining CCTV in the vicinity."

Sergeant Richard Lloyd, of Keighley NPT, added: “Anti-social behaviour and associated crime will not be tolerated and we understand the impact these types of incidents can have on local residents.

“We are working closely with the local authority and Bradford BID around the issues of anti-social behaviour in this area.

“I would urge anyone with any information about anti-social behaviour or crime in the area to come forward and speak to the police. Any intelligence we receive from the public is investigated and can sometimes prove vital.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Keighley NPT via 101 quoting log number 1430 of 13 March or online. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”