(Image: UGC)
Business owners say they have been left frustrated after youths were reportedly throwing food, including apples and baguettes, at cars, buildings and members of the public.
The incidents are understood to have taken place around Kirkgate in Otley town centre, with one restaurant owner claiming food was left strewn across the road and splattered onto her business.
West Yorkshire Police is investigating.
'Food all over the road'
Bridget Deakin, owner of Tapas & Tunes, said she first became aware of the issue after noticing large quantities of food scattered on the street.
"I went out after work and there was food all over the road," she said.
"It wasn't waste food. It was huge baguettes and things like that. I thought maybe something had fallen from a delivery van."
Ms Deakin later spoke to a local resident who said youths had been throwing food from a nearby churchyard.
Owners say food was repeatedly thrown at businesses, vehicles and passers-by. (Image: UGC)
Vehicles reportedly struck
Ms Deakin said the behaviour escalated days later when food was allegedly thrown at passing vehicles during service hours.
She said staff contacted police after becoming concerned the situation could become dangerous.
Ms Deakin said: "They've done it before, so the police need to come and see if they can try and find them."
Pub staff say issue has been ongoing for months
Staff at the Whitaker Arms say the problem is not new and has been occurring for several months.
One employee told the Telegraph & Argus the incidents initially happened about once a month before becoming increasingly frequent.
"It started a few months ago," they said.
"They used to do it maybe once a month, but they've started doing it more frequently. It's basically every weekend now."
Exterior view of Tapas & Tunes on Kirkgate. (Image: T&A)
The employee said the group had thrown bread, apples and other food items at people, vehicles and the pub itself.
"It's not just bread - Sometimes they're throwing apples and other things as well," they said.
"They throw food at people walking past. They throw it at the pub as well.
"It hits the windows and comes through the front door."
Police called after report of youths in churchyard
West Yorkshire Police confirmed officers were contacted on Saturday evening.
A spokesperson said: "Police were called at about 9.47pm on Saturday 17 October by a resident who supplied intelligence about youths gathering in a graveyard on Kirkgate, Otley and throwing food at passing cars and people.
"The information was recorded for follow-up enquiries by Otley NPT officers."
Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with footage of the incidents to come forward.
Baguettes and other food were left scattered across the road following the incidents. (Image: UGC)
Appeal for information
Officers are asking anyone with information about those involved, or any footage of the reported incidents, to contact West Yorkshire Police via 101 or the force's online Live Chat service.
Anyone contacting police is asked to quote log 1754 of October 17.
Business owners say they hope increased attention on the issue will help prevent further incidents and discourage similar anti-social behaviour in the town.