Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team granted new powers to extend drinking ban in Harehills

Leeds City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Team have been granted a three-month extension to powers to tackle street drinking In Harehills
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The extension to a partial Closure Order was granted at Leeds Magistrates Court on Thursday under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

It applies to Harehills Lane and the immediate surrounding area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The order designates the specified area closed to anyone in possession of an open container of alcohol, unless they are on licensed or residential premises.

The extension to a partial Closure Order applies to Harehills Lane and the immediate surrounding area.The extension to a partial Closure Order applies to Harehills Lane and the immediate surrounding area.
The extension to a partial Closure Order applies to Harehills Lane and the immediate surrounding area.

Anyone who breaches the order commits a criminal offence and is liable to arrest and prosecution.

The terms of the order, first granted in December 2021, remain unchanged.

The penalty on conviction is a prison sentence of up to six months, a fine or both.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team said it welcomed the extension and will continue to work with Leeds City Council Anti-Social Behaviour Team to address reports of street drinking, anti-social behaviour and associated criminality in the locality.

Breaches can be reported to West Yorkshire Police on 101, via the West Yorkshire Police website.

Read More
Three men taken to hospital after suffering injuries during attack by man in ear...

The power was granted following joint work by the police and council.

The move followed months of evidence gathering by officers from Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team’s Operation Leodis, in support of continued work by the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The area is already covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order, under which people can be fined for anti-social drinking, but the new closure order significantly strengthens the restrictions.

A similar order was put in place in Armley Town Street in July last year resulting in several prosecutions and warnings, which have helped to reduce street drinking and associated crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Those who breach the order will initially be given a warning but repeat offenders will face prosecution.

A consultation process was carried out with residents and businesses in the area which saw widespread support for the new measures.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Inspector Chantel Patrick, who heads the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Street drinking and the crime and anti-social behaviour it fuels are completely unacceptable and have a really negative impact on the lives of residents and on businesses in the area.

“We have been working alongside our partner agencies to address the issues around street drinking in the Harehills Lane area for some time now and this order will really strengthen those efforts.

“This latest move supports our ongoing partnership strategy aimed at bringing long-term improvements to the area, and we hope people will start to see positive results soon.

“We will be targeting the area with increased patrols and enforcement operations and will take firm action against those who repeatedly breach the order.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources said: “Anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated in our communities and I very much welcome these orders which will give police the powers to tackle on-street drinking on Harehills Lane and in the surrounding areas.

“Similar orders have recently successfully been introduced in Armley and residents can rest assured knowing that we will continue to work alongside West Yorkshire Police to use every tool at our disposal to put a stop to it in Harehills.

“Through these orders, we will be able to take tougher action against repeat offenders, creating a more positive environment in the community.”