Burglaries, graffiti and domestic violence: North Leeds councillors share concerns as new figures reveal most common crimes

New police data, obtained by the Yorkshire Evening Post under the Freedom of Information (FOI) ACT, shows a total of 20,350 crimes recorded in north Leeds between April 2019 and March 2020.

The most commonly recorded crime type across the north of the city was violence without injury, followed by residential burglaries, public order offences and criminal damage crimes.

The three north Leeds wards closest to the city centre, Chapel Allerton, Headingley and Hyde Park and Roundhay, all recorded the highest number of crimes in the last financial year.

Meanwhile Harewood, Adel and Wharfedale and Horsforth recorded the some of the lowest crime figures across the whole city.

The latest analysis comes as the YEP is shining a light on statistics, bringing you the numbers from behind the scenes as part of our Your Right To Know campaign.

Two north Leeds councillors have spoken out on the crime of most concern to residents within their wards - Adel and Wharfedale and Headingley and Hyde Park.

Adel and Wharfedale recorded just 1,222 crimes in the last financial year, the third lowest figure of all Leeds wards.

The most commonly recorded crimes were violence without injury and residential burglaries, in line with the trend for north Leeds.

Councillor Barry Anderson reported a spike in burglaries in the ward, particularly in Adel, from around November 2019 to the beginning of lockdown.

After concerns were raised by residents, a WhatsApp group was set up to report suspicious behaviour to a local PSCO.

Cllr Anderson told the YEP: "It is an area where you see the same people and the streets are relatively quiet - so if someone is out and about, it is quite noticeable.

"What we needed was more visible policing. Undercover PSCOs were set up and they noticed a number of gangs coming up from the Bradford area making a few hits. The police presence had a big impact.

“Of course it is all relative, in some parts of the city you see more crime in a day than our ward does in a month, for various reasons.

“There has been a massive increase in the fear of crime and that concerns me more than anything else.

“The fear of crime is very real for older people living on their own who may be scared to go out, or people scared to come back late at night."

More than double the number of crimes were recorded in Headingley and Hyde Park during the same period.

There were 2,821 recorded crimes in the last financial year and the ward saw higher numbers of residential burglaries and violent crimes without injury, the two most commonly recorded crimes in the ward.

Vehicle offences, criminal damage crimes and public order offences were also commonly recorded in the area.

Hyde Park and Headingley Councillor Al Garthwaite said burglars target the area because they can often find open windows and unlocked doors, particularly in shared student houses.

Cllr Garthwaite said: "It's a big problem. Police and the universities give a lot of advice to students, particularly in second year when students are moving into private rented accommodation from halls.

"But it's easy, when there is a lot of you in the house, to not realise you're the only one in and leave for the shops, or leave a window open downstairs when the only person is up in the attic."

As well as burglaries, Cllr Garthwaite said criminal damage such as graffiti is a real concern for the ward.

She also reported a rise in scams during the period of lockdown and rising calls reporting domestic violence.

Cllr Garthwaite added: "Often students don't relate to the term domestic violence, as it sounds like a martial or cohabiting couple, which is not the way that they see their relationships.

"Partner abuse is a better term and it's very common both in terms of physical violence and also coercive control.

"Young people and older people are as vulnerable as anyone else and it also occurs in same-sex relationships. Victims may think they won't be able to leave during lockdown, but refuge accommodation is still there.

"I would urge anyone who needs the help to call the Leeds Domestic Violence Service on 0113 246 0401."

The Yorkshire Evening Post's Your Right to Know campaign is using Freedom of Information legislation and official data to take a closer look at how your taxes are spent and how the city's public organisations are performing. Email [email protected] to tell us about any issues you would like us to investigate.

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