Council decides not to pursue cases against group of drivers who failed to comply with Public Space Protection Order

Court cases against a number of drivers in Bradford who failed to comply with a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), introduced to take action against anti-social driving, have been dismissed.

The motorists were due to appear at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court to answer charges relating to an unauthorised car meet at the Euroway Trading Estate in Bradford in October 2023.

However, Bradford City Council’s legal team took the decision not to pursue the case.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council's solicitor was asked during the hearing why no evidence was being offered and they responded: “There have been deficiencies with evidence relating to the way police originally handled the matter."

However, the council has since confirmed that West Yorkshire Police “weren’t operationally involved in this particular case” and that the phrase was “used in error”.

The PSPO was introduced in 2019, allowing the council to take action against anti-social driving.

It covers offences such as deliberately revving engines late at night and attending cruises on streets or in car parks.

According to the BBC, the unauthorised car meet was said to have taken place on 15 October 2023 on Wharfedale Road, which is part of the industrial estate.

The defendants had come to the street from Bradford, Wakefield, Ossett, Pontefract, Knottingley and Leeds.

Speaking to the BBC, West Yorkshire Police confirmed that meets on the trading estate had become "regular" and that patrols were conducted at peak times to prevent gatherings.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “PSPOs are a useful piece of legislation which some councils choose to use, without the need for Police input, to prosecute anti-social behaviour. Our council legal team regularly reviews council enforcement powers as well as evidence in preparation for these cases and on this occasion the council legal team took the decision not to pursue the case. This does not change the fact that the council remains proactive on prosecuting PSPOs.”

The council said it had apologised to West Yorkshire Police for the phrase used in error.

West Yorkshire Police has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson