PENNY POCKET PARK UPDATE

As you will know, there are significant issues of crime and antisocial behaviour, and six weeks ago, following my request for action, a multi-agency problem-solving group (PSG) was established. Since then, significant work has taken place.

West Yorkshire Police are actively patrolling the park and enforcing the city centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). This has led to a large number of arrests for issues related to the park, in particular around drug offences, but also resulted in a number of wanted persons being arrested. Pro-active patrols will continue.

Working with Forward Leeds and St Anne's (who are nearby), they are supporting their clients about the PSPO and what activity is acceptable in the park.

£20,000 has been secured to fund initial security improvements to the park. Following a detailed crime reduction visit by West Yorkshire Police, most of this initial funding will be used to remove excessive tree growth and other vegetation that is blocking natural surveillance and creating hidden areas.

The rest will be used to commission a high-level re-design to the park, created by Groundwork Yorkshire, subject to agreement. The information from the audit and the feedback of residents, Leeds Minster, and local businesses, as well as the PSG, will feed into this redesign. Once agreed, costs will be assessed, and work will start to obtain funding for the works.

Contact has been made with the local businesses and Leeds Minster to assess what work is needed to improve their security in relation to the site.

Network Rail is being contacted to take steps to provide a better boundary fence to the railway line and to request property lighting on the under the arch that links Kirkgate and New York street.

We’re aware of some youth-related antisocial behaviour and other issues of concern, and youth workers will also be working in the area.

Working is also taking place to secure several abandoned buildings nearby that are being used for drug taking. These sites are due redevelopment, and so steps are being taken to ask them to property secure these sites.

I hope this shows we are taking these issues seriously, and although there is still much to do, work is progressing at speed.