MORE COPS TO FIGHT TOWN CENTRE CRIME
COUNCIL FUNDS NEW INITIATIVE FOR HUDDERSFIELD AND DEWSBURY
THE police presence in Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres is now being boosted by the council.
Kirklees Council has announced that on July 1 it began funding additional West Yorkshire Police resources to patrol its two main shopping and business areas.
It revealed five new police officers were being paid for by the council and said it was financially contributing towards a police sergeant’s position to manage the new multi-agency town centre enforcement team.
Four local authority enforcement officers have joined the police team who are tasked with cracking down on crime and anti-social behaviour in the two town centres.
The council has vowed the new team is in addition to existing police resources.
The move to boost policing is part of the council’s Blueprint vision to improve the two towns.
Chief Superintendent Julie Sykes, District Commander of Kirklees Police, said: “This significant new investment in policing in Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres by Kirklees Council, through Safer Kirklees, is clearly excellent news and will benefit communities and traders.
“The police officers and local authority enforcement officers will work alongside the existing town centre PCSOs in Dewsbury and Huddersfield to provide an enhanced police and local authority warden presence, deter criminals and problem-solve issues such as retail crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
“Their presence will help build on initiatives already under way by our neighbourhood policing teams and West Yorkshire Police colleagues, such as Operation Jemlock, to reduce crime in town centres.
“These have included numerous high-visibility operations by the Huddersfield NPT with Safer Kirklees to tackle drug crime, knife crime and ASB over the past twelve months producing significant drops in offending such as retail crime.
“We recognise that traders and shoppers need town centres to be safe and inviting places to work and shop in, and are fully committed to the council’s ten-year plan to bring investment into Huddersfield and Dewsbury.”
Clr Carole Pattison, cabinet member for learning, aspiration and communities, said: “Anyone who lives, works, studies, or visits Huddersfield and Dewsbury should feel safe and be safe.
“I believe visible community policing will provide confidence to residents and business owners that anti-social behaviour and theft will not be tolerated.
“I look forward to welcoming the town centre team and working with them and Safer Kirklees to resolve immediate issues and long-term problem solving so that everyone can be proud of our historic town centres.”
Cilr Peter Mcbride, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Our Blueprint plan has been developed in consultation with local people and businesses who highlighted the significance of town centre safety as a priority.
“That’s why we are investing in the multi-agency town centre enforcement team who will provide vital reassurance to residents, visitors and local businesses that our town centres are exceptional places to live and work.’’
Cllr Mcbride added: “I’m hugely encouraged that the team will be active in time to help us through our recovery journey from the coronavirus outbreak but also they will be with us through the regeneration of our town centres. This is another significant milestone which highlights our commitment as a council to delivering on our Blueprint vision.”
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said of the announcement: “It’s good to see these additional resources being targeted locally to addressing community safety issues which I really welcome, and complements the annual grant funding I provide to Kirklees each year for partnership working.”