New concern over violence in town’s ‘Pigeon Park’
Police and council pledge to act on fears
TOWN centre business owners are reporting growing problems with drinking and anti-social behaviour in St Peter’s Gardens that is leading to new levels of violence.
An Examiner reporter spent the day in the gardens – also known as Pigeon Park – and saw first-hand the escalating level of anti-social behaviour.
Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Police both see St Peter’s Gardens as key to combating crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.
Insp Graham Dyson, of Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, described the park as “the centre of all operations for day time anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield town centre.”
Meanwhile, Kirklees Cabinet member for Learning Aspiration and Communities, Clr Carole Pattison, said the area is “a priority for us and we are holding regular meetings with partners to try and stop some of the problem individuals.”
She added: “These people suffer with complex issues and at all times we try to support them the best we can.”
The partnership addressing these problems is formed of Kirklees Council, West Yorkshire Police, Kirklees Housing, Kirklees Youth Intervention Team and Huddersfield Mission.
Some of the people involved in the problems in St Peter’s Gardens regularly visit the Huddersfield Mission cafe, which looks out onto the Gardens from Lord Street.
Paul Bridges, the Mission manager, said: “Any behaviour that is problematic for the person themselves or for anyone else is clearly not acceptable.
“We would always say it’s important to look at the immediate issue but also at the underlying issues. We need to look at why this is happening.
“That’s how you solve it longterm. Moving people on is not solving the problem, it is moving it.”
While looking at root causes is part of the partnership’s approach, the council and police are also seeking to remove key individuals from the equation through banning orders and arrests.
Clr Pattison said: “Police have been running an operation in the town centre recently and have given people direction to leave and made arrests, all of whom have been charged in court with conditional bail not to enter Huddersfield town centre.
“This has been for the individuals that cause issues daily despite being offered regular support by our town centre community safety officer and other partners.”
She added: “We are attempting to take enforcement action against the 12 most prolific people when it comes to anti-social behaviour in the town centre and are looking at Criminal Behaviour Orders or other enforcement measures.”
Insp Dyson said: “In order to continue to work to tackle this issue and behaviour, we need local businesses, residents and members of the public to contact us and report any incidents as they are happening.
“The more intelligence and information we receive, enables us to react positively to any issues and resolve them.
“I would encourage anyone who experiences or sees any anti-social behaviour or people drinking within the park area to contact police. If there is an ongoing crime, always call 999.”