Bradford's Tears Of Despair At Shocking Lockdown Toll

Residents in Bradford broke down in tears yesterday as they spoke of the hell of living in never-ending lockdown – after a poll that found “people in despair” in the city.

- Lucy Thornton And Sam Yule

One gran said the crisis had “sucked the fun” out of her life, while others admitted to skipping meals to make ends meet.

This week chief medical officer Chris Whitty praised the West Yorkshire city’s efforts.

But city leaders are calling for cash help amid growing fears over mental health, with the city now in Tier 2.

Bradford followed Leicester in a local lockdown last month, with people unable to mix in each other’s homes or gardens.

The Born in Bradford report, published recently, said the “most vulnerable in society” were “bearing the brunt”.

One in 10 said they skipped meals to stretch their cash and the same number feared eviction or repossession.

While one in five mums had clinically significant depression and one in six had clinically significant anxiety. Concerns about the mental health of their children were also common.