TEENAGERS have been causing "horrendous" antisocial behaviour for months outside Keighley Bus Station, according to a councillor.

Town councillor John Kirby, who welcomed news that this bus station is in line for improved CCTV coverage, said rowdy youths had intimidated passengers, been abusive to staff and made people scared to walk in and out of the building.

He said the trouble's main focal point is the paved area with seating between the bus station and the Airedale Shopping Centre.

"It's been horrendous every night for months," he said.

"This has been between about 4.30pm and 8pm or 9pm, and I'm not just talking about two or three kids, it's been groups of up to 15 or 20 of them, aged 13 up to 18.

"It has quietened down a bit over the last week now that banning letters have been handed to some of the kids. I know more banning letters are due to be sent out."

Mr Kirby, who works as a bus driver, said he felt boredom was a major contributor.

"I spoke to one or two of the kids and asked them why they were hanging around there, and they said they've got nothing else to do," he said.

"In some respects I feel a bit sorry for them. Maybe we need to be getting Youth Services down there to work with them and get them off the streets?

"Because otherwise they'll get arrested and end up in court. I'd much rather see them kept on the straight and narrow."

He was supported by Cllr Michael Westerman, chairman of Keighley Town Council's watch and transport committee, who said: "This is the same group of young people who've been moved on so many times before.

"They disappear for a couple of days, maybe to hang around Morrisons for a bit, then they're back outside the bus station.

"It goes on and on. And as they get older there are younger kids replacing them.

"They are bored. There's lots going on for the little ones, but nothing for these teenagers. I think the cuts to children's services is part of the problem."

Airedale Shopping Centre manager Steve Seymour said: "We are aware of this. It's a small group of individuals involved, most of whom are already excluded from the shopping centre because of their behaviour.

"We've dealt with them as best we can and we're looking to support West Yorkshire Police to take further action.

"This antisocial behaviour is a deterrent for people, especially for older shoppers walking along the front of the Airedale Centre.

"The police do know about it and are committed 100 per cent to dealing with the issue."

Keighley Police inspector Khalid Khan confirmed officers were working with other organisations on issuing criminal behaviour orders against the offenders.

Keighley Bus Company, which manages the bus station, had not responded to a Keighley News request for comment by the time the paper went to print.

But West Yorkshire Combined Authority this week announced it was teaming up with BT to upgrade security camera coverage at more than 25 of its West Yorkshire bus stations – including Keighley's.

New high definition cameras connected to a high-speed CCTV fibre network will replace the existing analogue cameras as part of a five-year, £1.2 million scheme.

The partnership will also see publicly available Wi-Fi installed in public spaces at eight bus stations, including Keighley Bus Station.

Station staff will get new personal radios, and increased capacity for video recording will be created at the Leeds monitoring centre.

Cllr Keith Wakefield, chairman of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “Passengers and staff tell us our CCTV coverage helps them feel more secure when using our Metro Bus Stations, transport hubs and interchanges.

“Although only a tiny number of the three million-plus journeys made though our bus stations each year are affected by anti-social incidents, we take them all very seriously.

"This important scheme will improve the quality of CCTV coverage and the way we can store images and video."