Crime-hit city centre alley to be gated off

Plans to gate off a notorious city centre alleyway that has become a hotspot for crime and anti-social behaviour have been approved.

Police call-outs to the 11m (36ft) alleyway, which links Ivegate and Tyrell Street in Bradford, have become "unsustainable", according to a council report.

In one of the latest incidents last week, West Yorkshire Police said an 18-year-old man had been stabbed in the alley.

However, because the alley is still a public right of way, the council must go through a legal process to formally close the route before gates can be installed.

Efforts to close the alley date back to 2021 when police suggested the route could be closed off to the public in a bid to stop crime.

But there was a backlash to the plan, with concerns over blocking off a section of a historic public street.

Bradford Council then submitted a new planning application in April to install art nouveau-style wrought iron gates at either side of the passage, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The application said: "Over recent years the alleyway has attracted a significant amount of anti-social behaviour and serious criminal activity.

"Many of the crimes reported have been of a serious nature and have resulted in a significant number of visits by the police.

"This level of attendance is considered to be unsustainable given limited resources.

"The increase in crime has had a negative impact on the area and is considered to be hindering business growth in the area."

Conservation officers noted the alleyway appears on mid-19th Century maps and is part of the historic street pattern.

However, they concluded the public benefit of reducing crime outweighed the impact on the historic route.

Planning officers said pedestrians would be able to use alternative routes via Ivegate, Tyrrel Street and Queensgate - a diversion of about 100m (328ft).

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