Leeds City Centre’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) is keeping an extra eye on revellers enjoying festivities, with the use of Leeds City Council’s Leedswatch mobile CCTV van over Christmas and New Year.
The Leedswatch van, which is part of the council’s citywide CCTV operation, will be used alongside high-visibility patrols by police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) throughout the city centre to help prevent violent crime and anti-social behaviour.
It will also assist any investigations by filming any incidents, should they occur. West Yorkshire Police say that volent crime has already fallen significantly in the city this year as a result of the Street Marshals scheme, where licensed premises pay for additional registered doorstaff to go out on patrols with NPT officers.
Chief Inspector Vernon Francis, of West Yorkshire Police’s City and Holbeck Division, is responsible for policing in Leeds city centre. Chief Insp Francis said: "Leeds is becoming safer and safer, and with the Christmas and New Year period being the busiest time of the year it’s important to ensure that people coming in the city continue to be safe and feel safe.
"There’s a lot of great initiatives going on which are designed to keep people safe in the city this Christmas, with many partners involved. The Leedswatch mobile van is a great example of this, and we’re grateful for the helping hand as we patrol the city centre throughout the festive period."
Cllr Peter Gruen, chair of Safer Leeds and Leeds city council’s executive member for community safety, said: “Our CCTV vans are central to the council’s city-wide CCTV operation because they are able to provide cover in areas where there are no fixed cameras and respond quickly in the event of any incidents. Working alongside the police, our CCTV operators play a vital role in keeping the city centre safe so people can enjoy a night out in safety.”
