A troubled UK seaside town that was once one of Yorkshire’s finest has a band of fans who are loyally sticking by it despite its challenges.

Bridlington in East Yorkshire has a glorious past having drawn in scores of tourists since Victorian times.

Now, however, like many coastal resorts, that former shine is rusting and the town is now beset with social issues – including a high crime rate, drug use and homelessness.

But when Express.co.uk visited tourists fiercely defended a town they choose to return to again and again.

Bridlington was named the worst seaside town in Yorkshire in one Which? poll and, according to official figures, is also among the 10 “most dangerous places” in East Riding of Yorkshire’s 171 towns, villages and cities.

The overall crime rate in Bridlington in 2023 was 125 crimes per 1,000 people according to CrimeRate.co.uk, which compares poorly to a UK average of 82 crimes per 1,000 people.

Locals also point to drug issues, with one insisting heroin was being sold for £5 a bag while £320,00 worth of cocaine was seized in the town earlier this year. Long NHS waiting lists also worry many in the town.

However, Peter Luty, 72, and his wife Linda, 74, just can’t keep away from the coastal location. Peter, who is retired, and a carer for Linda, were visiting Bridlington from Cleckheaton, in West Yorkshire, which is around a two-hour drive away.

Peter said: “We have come for a week’s holiday. We also came in June for two weeks.

“It’s nice and level for [my wife’s] scooter. The beaches are also nice and clean. We both feel safe walking about.”

Had either of them been put off by crime being so rife in the town?

“You get that everywhere – you even get that in our little village,” said Peter.

Linda added: “If we won the lottery the first thing we would do is move here.”

“We’d move here tomorrow,” Peter agreed.

It’s not hard to see (or hear) the town’s rough edges. A local makes himself heard on the way into the town centre, screaming to his pal on the other end of the phone: “I’m in f****** town, you prick.”

But it doesn’t take long to find another Bridlington fanatic among those milling around the town’s shops.

Irena Gorbun, 67, a retired civil servant, is visiting with some friends – a couple of whom she has left having fun on the sand. They have travelled from Leeds, which is around a two-hour drive away.

She said: “I come here with my family every year. We came for a week in July. I have been coming for a lot of years – since I was a teenager and I know it well. I know the shops and the people. I like the feel of the place and the nostalgia and we always stay where there’s a lovely sea view and nice restaurants and bars.”

On the topic of crime and safety, Irena says they rarely venture into the town centre and that they “don’t see any of that”.

Jon Gardner, 61, is a scaffolder and is visiting for the day with wife Dawn from nearby Filey where they are currently holidaying from Preston.

Jon said: “The parking is cheap. I feel like it’s safe and very friendly indeed. Although we both like Scarborough better – it’s a lot better – but all in all Bridlington is lovely.”

After sharing their thoughts, a young lad gleefully runs past with his dad declaring that Bridlington “absolutely p****s on Newquay” – perhaps in part due to the fluorescent funfair which is packed with rides, candyfloss and sparkling amusement arcades overlooking the beach.

Another man, who is busy pulling steel shutters into place on a storefront, says he hasn’t got time to speak as going through the list of the town’s pros and cons is “too much to talk about” and instead he “needs to get to the pub”.

A more menacing sight is a man shouting at his XL Bully-type dog without a lead as it tries to help itself to the leftovers outside a seafront chippy. In a nearby park, several drunk natives get into a scuffle outside the public toilets – but visitors in the park carry on enjoying their ice creams regardless.

The happy tourists include Vincent Gibbons, 58, an accountant, and wife Elisha, a hairdresser. The couple are visiting from Chesterfield, which is around two hours away.

Elisha explained: “We have always walked along the front and come for fish and chips. It’s the closest bit of coast to us.”

“It’s pretty dog-friendly and the tide goes out for miles,” Vincent added, with enthusiasm.

Locals who are prepared to chat are thin on the ground, but born and bred Bridlington boy Andrew Pinder, who owns Arnold’s Fisheries – and whose family has run it for four generations – does give his view.

He said: “[I don’t think] crime is going up but drugs are a problem. People are selling drugs for £5 a bag.”

Andrew says that when it’s £5 for a pint, it’s understandable why some get hooked on the cheap heroin.

He said: “You see them all day long going into the toilet, straight under the CCTV [cameras]. I have reported it lots of times. It must be awful for them. As soon as they get their stuff they’re gone.”

However, Andrew says despite this his business is booming with tourists who are keen to buy his fresh cockles, prawns and lobster tails.

He said: “It’s still really busy in the summer holidays. [There’s also] more and more people coming to live here – in the last three to four years I’ve seen more new faces. [House] prices have gone up but it’s still relatively cheap. I’d never move. It’s a good place.”

He added: “Business is doing well and I am taking a bit more each year.”

Nigel Brignall, manager of the anti-social behaviour team at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, says the council is doing everything in its power to control crime and disorder.

He said: “The council continues to work very closely with Humberside Police to take action against those involved in crime, although incidents reported to the council are low.

“The council has obtained a number of Closure Orders on homes used by offenders and is working with local neighbourhood watch coordinators and other local stakeholders to make Bridlington an even safer, better, place in the future as part of a Clear, Hold Build project taking place in the town.”

Humberside Police also insist they are doing everything they can to help Bridlington be a safe and welcoming place.

Community policing inspector Andy Beadman said: “Over the last few months, our Neighbourhood Policing Team has been working relentlessly in Bridlington to build relationships with the community and tackle anyone who has been causing harm to the area.

“Throughout the year, we have been taking part in the multi-agency Home Office Clear Hold Build Initiative, which has involved large scale disruption of those involved in organised crime through warrants, arrests and charges.

“Since the initiative launched, we have had over 60 arrests in Bridlington, the vast majority of which have resulted in suspects being remanded in custody whilst investigations continue.”

Police say tackling organised crime within the Humberside force remains a priority.

Insp Beadman added: “Bridlington is a fantastic place to live, work and visit and we are proud to be part of the community here.”