Police pledge to tighten resources as figures reveal crime is up 15% in Leeds city centre

The numbers from West Yorkshire Police - which cover the year to August 2017 - show that there has been a rise in public order offences and assaults.

Briggate, Call Lane, Albion Street and Woodhouse Lane remain the busiest trouble hotspots at night time.

The streets are currently designated as “red zones” under the “cumulative impact policy” system, which helps allocate police resources.

A brand new updated policy is due to be formalised later this year.

A report to be considered by Leeds City Council’s licensing bosses says: “The Call Lane red area remains the predominant crime hot spot area.

“Despite the worrying increase in the number of assaults in the red areas, it is recommended that the city centre red zone boundaries remain the same with the guidance updated to include the latest statistics but no other changes made.”

Previous research has shown that last year, Briggate and Call Lane accounted for more than a third of the total crime in the city centre, with Albion Street and Woodhouse Lane responsible for 16 per cent.

Cross Belgrave Street and Merrion Street were also noted as “emerging areas of concern”, however police say that overall, “there are no

new areas of concern”.

The highest rise was in assaults and thefts, which continue to dominate the crime tables both during the day and at night time. Assaults continue to be the highest alcohol related crime, followed by drunk and disorderly offences, but the latter are down overall.