Uninvited visitors to tower blocks face court action as part of Leeds Council crackdown

Leeds City Council's Anti-social Behaviour Team (LASBT) has secured a court order after instances of drug dealing, continued vandalism, excrement and blood found in stairwells at the tower blocks.

The three month Partial Closure Orders are for blocks in the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill wards of Leeds.

They are:

Cherry Court

Marston Mount

Lincoln Towers

Ferriby Towers

Spalding Towers

Grantham Towers

Naseby Grange

Roxby Close

Boston Towers

Lindsey Mount

Cromwell Heights (blocks one, two and three).

No visitors will be allowed to enter any of the blocks during this period, unless they have express permission from the council or a resident.

All areas of the buildings, including the foyer, lifts and stairwells, are included.

Any visitor not given permission that tries to enter could face further action, including through the courts.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for Safer Leeds, said: "The types of behaviour that we have seen from some regular visitors at each of these 13 tower blocks in east Leeds was completely unacceptable and having a terrible impact on many residents living in each of the buildings.

"That is why we took the decision having listened to concerns from residents, to seek a Partial Closure Order through the courts for all of the blocks in one action, and I am pleased that it has been granted.

“We will be monitoring each block to ensure the Partial Closure Order is properly adhered to.

"I would like to make it clear that anyone who thinks they can just ignore the order, further action will be taken if they continue to try to access any of the buildings without permission.

“I would urge anyone who is experiencing any anti-social behaviour issues to please not suffer in silence but to contact our dedicated LASBT team as soon as possible.”

Superintendent Jackie Marsh, West Yorkshire Police strategic partnership lead for Safer Leeds, said: “We are working closely alongside our partners in the council to tackle the completely unacceptable criminality and anti-social behaviour that has been impacting on the lives of the residents.

“We hope residents will begin to see some significant improvements as a result of this latest action, which should demonstrate our continued commitment to using all available measures to target the problems that affect people’s lives.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be actively enforcing the order and we encourage people to report any incidents or breaches so that further action can be taken.”

Any residents suffering from anti-social behaviour can call LASBT during the daytime on 0113 222 4402, or out of hours on 0113 376 0337 (between 6pm and 3.30am).