ACTION is being demanded to stamp out anti-social behaviour in Keighley town centre.

Several attacks and incidents of intimidation have been reported.

And it's claimed many people are frightened to venture into the area around the bus station.

Town mayor, Councillor John Kirby, says he has been raising concerns with the authorities about anti-social behaviour for some time – and has now taken the matter to West Yorkshire's mayor, and deputy mayor for policing and crime.

"I've told them that if we don't get a grip of this problem someone will be badly injured or even killed," he says.

"A security guard at the bus station has been kicked in the head and a bus manager punched in the face.

"When I walk through the town, residents tell me they are afraid to come out after teatime.

"I have a meeting arranged with the deputy mayor for policing and crime to discuss the issues.

"The police have their hands full and I support them 100 per cent, but residents are losing faith."

Keighley MP Robbie Moore says incidents reported to him have included a mother who described how her 13-year-old son had been attacked by a group of boys and was now scared to go into the town centre.

Mr Moore has raised the issue in the Commons and called on West Yorkshire's combined authority and mayor, Tracy Brabin, to get "laser-focused" on anti-social behaviour in Keighley.

He said: "Unfortunately within the centre of Keighley, particularly around the bus station, police and local residents are constantly having to deal with reports of anti-social behaviour.

"The Government has given extra resources to our West Yorkshire mayor, who is responsible for policing in Keighley, to implement the Government's tough new anti-social behaviour measures, which should see offenders cleaning up in jumpsuits within 48 hours of their offences.

"But in the run-up to these new measures being introduced, the West Yorkshire mayor has been wasting valuable time and resources on buying new buildings and hybrid working schemes, at a time when local residents want to see real action on issues like anti-social behaviour.

"It’s time for our West Yorkshire mayor to get laser-focused on this issue."

But West Yorkshire Combined Authority describes Mr Moore's comments as "inaccurate and misleading".

"The decision to consolidate combined authority staff at one office in Leeds offered the best value for taxpayers’ money," says a spokesperson.

"Despite a decade of significant Government cuts to policing budgets, the mayor has put anti-social behaviour at the centre of her Police and Crime Plan and is taking action as we create a safer, fairer region.

"We have secured £1 million for a new anti-social behaviour pilot, almost £500,000 for new anti-social behaviour measures including at Keighley Bus Station, and funding for 15 new safer travel PCSOs across West Yorkshire’s transport network."