Imagine having to literally step over someone unconscious on the street just to get to your destination. That’s the stark reality some residents and visitors face in Bradford, a UK city currently basking in the spotlight as the City of Culture. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the city boasts gleaming new developments, fresh flower beds, and pedestrianized squares, a darker underbelly persists—one of drug use, homelessness, and antisocial behavior that’s hard to ignore.
Right outside Bradford’s City of Culture booking office, a man lies slumped on the steps, seemingly unconscious from what locals believe to be the drug known as spice. Councillor Rebecca Poulsen paints a vivid picture of this jarring contrast: ‘People have had to step over them just to get inside,’ she told the Express. ‘It’s an unpleasant welcome for visitors, especially when it happens right outside a place meant to showcase Bradford’s transformation.’
Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture is undoubtedly a source of pride, but residents and officials alike admit that beneath the polished surface, deep-rooted social issues remain. Drug use and antisocial behavior, particularly in the city centre, continue to cast a shadow over its cultural achievements.
And this is the part most people miss: Longtime residents like Simon Cope, 64, who has lived in Bradford his entire life, argue that the city has ‘gone downhill.’ He recalls a time when things weren’t so dire. ‘There used to be more jobs,’ he says. ‘Now, with fewer opportunities and low incomes, people are turning to drugs. At night, you see users wandering the streets or sleeping rough. It’s heartbreaking.’ Simon believes the decline in employment and visible poverty have left indelible scars on the community. ‘Not everyone in tough situations is on drugs,’ he adds. ‘I once spoke to a young man sleeping rough who had a university degree. It’s worse now than it’s ever been.’
For Shumaila Murthza, an eight-year resident of Bradford, safety is the primary concern. ‘There are areas with high crime levels, and you often see drug users on the streets,’ she says while walking through the city centre with her young son. ‘I don’t feel safe here at night and avoid it whenever possible. I wouldn’t let my son walk around alone, even if he were older.’ Her sentiments echo those of other parents who carefully plan their routes, especially after dark.
But here’s the twist: Not everyone agrees that Bradford is in decline. Elizabeth Lephard, 47, an NHS worker living just outside the city, sees a different picture. ‘I think it’s a lovely place,’ she says. ‘The council has put in so much effort to improve its appearance. Bradford gets a bad reputation, but it’s surrounded by beautiful countryside.’
Councillor Poulsen acknowledges the city’s aesthetic improvements but argues that the real issue lies deeper. ‘The city centre looks beautiful now, with green spaces and pedestrianized streets,’ she says. ‘But drugs remain a major problem. You could be enjoying your lunch in a newly renovated park, only to see someone comatose on the bench next to you. It’s not a great look.’ She points to deprivation as the root cause, noting Bradford’s high poverty index, low income levels, and lack of high-quality jobs. ‘There’s a massive skills issue, and it all feeds into the problem,’ she explains.
Here’s where it gets even more contentious: Councillor Poulsen also highlights the rise of illegal e-scooters, which are banned from public roads but frequently seen speeding through City Park. ‘They’re dangerous and intimidating,’ she says. ‘I’ve had to physically stand in front of them to make them stop.’
Matt Edwards, a local councillor and Green Party group leader, argues that while Bradford’s issues aren’t unique, they feel more pronounced here. ‘Drug and alcohol dependency is a major reason people avoid the city centre,’ he explains. ‘Some of it’s linked to homelessness, some to other issues, but it’s a barrier, just like in other major cities. What makes Bradford feel worse is that the city centre is quieter. In Leeds or Manchester, similar issues blend into the crowd, but here, a few people in distress stand out more.’
Edwards traces the city’s crisis to austerity and years of cuts to local government funding. ‘It stems from a whole host of things,’ he says, ‘but most of them track back to austerity under the coalition government. Millions were stripped from local councils and support services for the most vulnerable. Adult social care budgets were slashed, leaving people with high needs but no legal threshold for support to fall through the cracks. The same goes for police, charities, and other vital services.’
Noreen Akhtar, assistant director for neighbourhoods and communities at Bradford Council, defends the authority’s efforts, emphasizing that drug and alcohol issues are treated as public health challenges rather than mere policing matters. ‘Bradford isn’t an outlier when it comes to drug dependency,’ she says. ‘These are vulnerable individuals who need long-term support. Addiction often stems from years of trauma, and it’s not easy to overcome.’
Akhtar highlights the council’s Drug and Alcohol Partnership, which works with community groups and health providers to support individuals, whether they’re seeking formal treatment or just day-to-day help. ‘The goal is to support people, not isolate them,’ she says. She also notes recent increases in city centre policing, improved lighting, and safety initiatives, particularly for women and girls. ‘We’ve been working with the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Office and police to make the city centre both safe and feel safe,’ she explains. One such initiative, Jog On, has won awards for protecting female runners by using undercover officers to intercept harassers.
But here’s the question that divides opinions: Are things as bad as they seem? Shaz J, 25, who has lived in Bradford for a decade, thinks not. ‘Yes, there are many drug users around, but I don’t feel they pose more of a problem than in any other city,’ she says. ‘They keep to themselves and are usually unconscious. I don’t feel unsafe around them, but I see why others might.’
The portrait of Bradford that emerges is one of duality: a city of rich cultural heritage and ambitious redevelopment, yet shadowed by poverty and public drug use that continues to tarnish its reputation. Being the UK’s City of Culture could help change perceptions, but for now, scenes like those outside the booking office serve as an uncomfortable reminder of the work still to be done.
What do you think? Is Bradford’s reputation unfairly maligned, or does it need to address its deeper issues more urgently? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
