Safer Travel Operations in Leeds

On Thursday 30 August officers in Leeds were involved in an Operation to make travelling in Leeds by public transport safe and problem free.

Eight officers in plain clothes rode a specially modified First bus around the Leeds district, visiting Pudsey, Leeds centre , Armley, Bramley, Beeston and Middleton throughout the course of five hours. The bus is equipped with cameras to record instances of anti-social behaviour, vandalism or graffiti.

The officers spent some time in Leeds Bus Station where distracted parents were spoken to about letting their children run wild within the bus station and the impact this was having on other passengers as well as the potential for them getting injured.  Two of the regular street drinkers were also removed from the Bus Station and it was made clear to them that they were not welcome there and would be arrested if they returned.

12 youths were stopped by officers in Pudsey bus station. One male was spoken to for his vulgar language and lack of respect. A further three youths were stopped for vandalism to a bus shelter on Bramley Town Street.

A vehicle that was not roadworthy was identified parked outside Tesco Supermarket in Bramley and the driver was dealt with for having no insurance and no MOT. The driver’s mother was offered some advice when she tried to object to officers’ intervention and saw the other perspective after protracted conversations.

On Town Street in Armley a male was advised regarding personal safety after he was seen riding a pedal cycle on the road without lights during the hours of darkness.

Later in the evening officers moved onto the Parkwood area of Beeston. A 10 year old boy was taken home to his parents due to being out unaccompanied after dark.

On the Ring Road in Middleton two young males were stopped and checked after being seen hiding in bushes, no offences were disclosed but both were already known to Police for anti-social behaviour. On Bodmin Road, a further five youngsters were spoken to and two more males were stopped on Bodmin Crescent. A cannabis warning  was issued on Sissons Road.

Officers felt that this was a very productive tour of duty and similar Operations will be run across the Leeds area.