Thursday, 5 November, 2009
Leeds city centre is to be made the subject of a Dispersal Order to curb potential anti-social behaviour during the Bonfire, Christmas and New Year period.
The City and Holbeck Division and Safer Leeds, the city's crime and disorder reduction partnership, have secured the order, which will run from Sunday, 1 November, 2009, until Sunday, 31 January, 2010, and is aimed at ensuring the city centre remains a safe place to be.
The order covers the whole of the city centre bordered by and including the A58 Inner Ring Road, the A64 New York Road, Marsh Lane, the A61, The Calls, Swinegate, New Station Street, Wellington Street, King Street, East Parade, and Westgate.
As part of the order, police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) can instruct groups of people or individuals who are under the influence of alcohol or involved in anti-social behaviour to leave the area for up to 24 hours.
Anyone who remains in the area or returns having been told to leave could receive a fine of up to £5,000 and possibly a maximum of three months' imprisonment.
Inspector Mark Jessop of the City Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said: "Leeds is a safe city where people can enjoy nights out, and one of the main reasons for this is the work our officers and partner agencies including Safer Leeds do here to ensure we don't have major issues with violence or disorder.
"But there has traditionally been a rise in incidents of anti-social behaviour and other crimes in the run up to the festive period, and introducing a Dispersal Order is just one of many ways we intend to tackle any issues in the city centre before they become bigger problems and spoil people's enjoyment of our city."
Leeds city centre was previously subject of a Dispersal Order four years ago, and follows other major cities including Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh in introducing such legislation.
Councillor Les Carter, executive board member for community safety and chair of Safer Leeds said: "This is a sensible precaution, which will allow the police to take swift and effective action if a small, rowdy minority try to spoil the enjoyment of the city centre for the many people visiting at this busy time of year."
Leeds city centre is to be made the subject of a Dispersal Order to curb potential anti-social behaviour during the Bonfire, Christmas and New Year period.
The City and Holbeck Division and Safer Leeds, the city's crime and disorder reduction partnership, have secured the order, which will run from Sunday, 1 November, 2009, until Sunday, 31 January, 2010, and is aimed at ensuring the city centre remains a safe place to be.
The order covers the whole of the city centre bordered by and including the A58 Inner Ring Road, the A64 New York Road, Marsh Lane, the A61, The Calls, Swinegate, New Station Street, Wellington Street, King Street, East Parade, and Westgate.
As part of the order, police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) can instruct groups of people or individuals who are under the influence of alcohol or involved in anti-social behaviour to leave the area for up to 24 hours.
Anyone who remains in the area or returns having been told to leave could receive a fine of up to £5,000 and possibly a maximum of three months' imprisonment.
Inspector Mark Jessop of the City Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said: "Leeds is a safe city where people can enjoy nights out, and one of the main reasons for this is the work our officers and partner agencies including Safer Leeds do here to ensure we don't have major issues with violence or disorder.
"But there has traditionally been a rise in incidents of anti-social behaviour and other crimes in the run up to the festive period, and introducing a Dispersal Order is just one of many ways we intend to tackle any issues in the city centre before they become bigger problems and spoil people's enjoyment of our city."
Leeds city centre was previously subject of a Dispersal Order four years ago, and follows other major cities including Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh in introducing such legislation.
Councillor Les Carter, executive board member for community safety and chair of Safer Leeds said: "This is a sensible precaution, which will allow the police to take swift and effective action if a small, rowdy minority try to spoil the enjoyment of the city centre for the many people visiting at this busy time of year."
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