Council and police work to make community a better place to live

Court action and partnership working have made a positive difference to life in a Leeds community where crime and antisocial behaviour issues were causing concern for residents.

- by Charles Brown

Partial closure orders covering five blocks of flats near Hunslet Moor Park were granted to Leeds City Council earlier this year by magistrates following an investigation by West Yorkshire Police into local drug-dealing activity.

The terms of the three-month orders meant it temporarily became an arrestable offence for unauthorised visitors to the flats to be present in communal spaces such as foyers, landings, stairwells and lifts.

This, it was hoped, would act as a deterrent to people who - by gaining entry to the buildings for the purpose of buying or selling drugs - had left many residents feeling distressed and intimidated.

It was also hoped that the threat of arrest would put a stop to youths hanging around the flats - despite living elsewhere - and making a general nuisance of themselves.