IT is important for Leeds people to understand that, whatever the impression sometimes given, gun and knife crime is not something likely to come knocking on their door.
Most people will go through life completely unaffected by such horror and will live their lives peacefully.
Violent crime tends to be concentrated within certain sectors of society – but occasionally it does spill onto our suburban streets.
Suc
h is the case in Leeds at the moment. In one night this week a man was shot in Chapeltown and another man was shot in Roundhay Crescent, Harehills.
Community leaders fear the shootings could be a return to the drugs turf wars that saw several killings in the city about five years ago.
At such times as this we need to remember that we do not currently live in a gang-infested city, but nor do we want to.
So let us hope that the perpetrators of these crimes are quickly caught.
Equally important is to tackle the problem at source: violence is a cultural problem and the work that is now being put into educating young people about its true nature needs to continue.
Joy for CryptST George's Crypt is on the move – and that is marvellous news. The institution which has been helping the homeless, destitute and disadvantaged since 1930 is moving temporarily to Hyde Park.
And the move is for the best of reasons, made necessary because its normal base is being given a facelift.
The refurbishment, which starts in November, will transform the important work of the charity, giving it 15 bedrooms to house those without other shelter, instead of the three with which it has operated until now
In the meantime the crypt will operate from its temporary base for two years – and the only note of caution is to hope that the move is sensitively handled.
It is important that the Crypt fits into its new base at the former St Michael's School without having any major impact or causing disruption to the community there.
With that proviso, we wish the crypt and its staff all the best in its new location.
Monkey magicLEEDS woman Rosalind Wilson entered a competition to create a cute character and won £200 with her drawing of Mo Monkey – which was nice.
But even nicer is the news that her creation is going to be used on cards and gift wrap to be sold by retail giant Marks & Spencer.
It seems that Rosalind's cute character has proved to be a cute move for her career too, and we hope Mo Monkey takes her far.
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