'Tents are being used to disguise dealing': Police crack down on anti-social behaviour and crime in Leeds Dock

Encampments of tents have been cropping up along the banks of the River Aire and near the Royal Armouries, while nuisance behaviour has been reported at various sites and along the bridges.

Councillor Paul Wray, who represents the Hunslet and Riverside Ward, has said that some of the tents are being used to disguise drug dealing, while there have also been issues with graffiti, public urination and anti-social behaviour.

West Yorkshire Police has said it has increased patrols in the area and has been removing tents and encampments associated with criminality.

Last week, the force reported discovering a hidden encampment of multiple tents near the River Aire as well as cannabis and distribution bags, while searching for a man wanted over a reported sexual assault on Call Lane.

The man was identified, arrested at the encampment, and has been charged with sexual assault.

‘People don’t think twice to throw a bottle at you’

It is the most serious example of the increase in criminality in the area, with local residents Merwyn Time and Yvonne Garbutt saying that they have witnessed more disruption while walking their dog along the waterways, with groups on bikes using them and going “really fast”.

Merwyn said: “It happens regularly and you think ‘you should not be on the canal’.”

He also said that he has noticed a general increase in brazen criminality and lack of care for the consequences from people in Leeds and across the country, saying: “I used to live in London and now people don’t think twice to throw a bottle at you or cause something even if you are not looking at them.”

Yvonne expressed sympathy for those who have found themselves homeless along the banks, saying: “There’s definitely a trend happening with the cost of living crisis and a lack of support.

“It’s difficult for everyone these days. We work and still find it difficult. You try and imagine how it is for those who don’t work. It’s not easy.”

‘All of us can be in that position’

Another local resident expressed a similar sentiment, saying: “I feel a bit sad, really. It’s not their choice to not have a house and it’s a failure of the system that there’s more and more people.

“All of us can be in that position. If you lose your job and don’t have a family then you’re out on the street.”

She also said that she had noticed an increase in the amount of graffiti by Brewery Wharf and drug dealing taking place.

She said: “It just feels like it’s a place where people gather now. It seems to be a bit dodgy.”

Coun Wray, Labour and Co-operative, described the matters of drug dealing, antisocial behaviour and graffiti as “quality of life crimes”, and added that drug dealers are taking advantage of the situation.

He said: “The organised drug trade have caught on to the idea of selling drugs from tents by mixing in with the homeless population, which is making it very difficult for us to do our engagement work and also for the police to do operational work because we have to make sure we are working with those who are genuinely vulnerable as well as dealing with those doing criminality.”

He said that operations alongside West Yorkshire Police and other partners have led to drug tents being removed and arrests made.

Coun Wray added: “There’s an ongoing police presence alongside our partners in Safer Leeds and other agencies to really focus on making them safe, attractive spots for residents to go about their business in the day.

“We’re also looking at how to clean up the bridges to make them a safer and more attractive location for residents and visitors to our wonderful city.

“There’s a lot of effort going into the area now for the benefit of the city and thousands of local residents that live nearby and we’re really focused on making sure we deal with the organised drug trade that’s in the area.”

Inspector Chris Craven, of the Leeds City Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said that the force is aware of the concerns in the area and is working with elected members, the city council and partner agencies to take action.

He said: “This includes increased foot patrols from both uniformed and plain-clothed officers, officers on mountain bikes and officers from the Leeds Off-Road Bike Team.

“We have also worked with partners to target and remove tents and encampments in the area which have been identified as a source of criminality. This resulted in a number of drug seizures.

“Increased patrols have led to a number of arrests for street-crime offences including supplying drugs, while people were also provided with support from partners, including accommodation and health referrals.

“We are committed to engaging with the community and have established contact points for residents to meet and discuss issues which affect them. These take place at The Fearns.

“Consultation is also taking place to increase CCTV coverage in the area.”