Friday 16th October 2025

Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) continue to use all available powers and legislation to tackle and disrupt organised crime, illegal activities, anti-social behaviour and roads related offences that cause harm to communities in Harehills, Leeds as part of CommUnity Harehills.

This week officers have disrupted and arrested offenders, seized large quantities of Class B drugs namely Cannabis, recovered a machete and conducted a Partnership Road Safety Operation, in response to community concerns and our ongoing commitment to keep communities safe and feeling safe.

On Monday 12th May 2025, officers were conducting proactive patrols on the Bexley’s which resulted in an adult male being arrested for possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and over thirty bags of Cannabis were seized.

A multi-agency operation was held on the same day alongside the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Leeds City Council Taxi and Private Licensing Team, Leeds City Council Serious Environmental Crime Team and supported by colleagues from the Roads Policing Unit.

Multiple checks were conducted on vehicles in Harehills, during the operation by Police and Partners which resulted in the following:

1. Seven vehicles were immediately prohibited by the DVSA for identified faults including defective brakes, dangerous load, window wipers not working and missing seatbelts.

2. One motorist was issued with a graduated fixed penalty notice of £200 for being 15% over its gross vehicle weight.

3. One vehicle seized for the driver reported to the courts for driving without insurance.

4. Four motorists were issued with traffic offence reports, for road related offences.

5. A total of twenty-two taxi’s and private hire vehicles were stopped and checked, with three licenses immediately suspended and one deferred suspension.

The proactive police patrols resumed on Tuesday 13th May 2025, with officers locating and recovering a machete, and two adult males were arrested one on Harehills Road on suspicion of Robbery and one on Harehills Lane for possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. The adult male arrested for drugs offences, was subsequently released on bail with conditions not to return to Harehills.

In addition, NPT officers were conducted high visibility foot patrols on Wednesday 14th May 2025, conducting proactive patrols following community intelligence received. As a result of the patrols officers located a significant quantity of cannabis on the Bayswater’s, which was seized, and the investigation remains ongoing.

We hope the actions taken as part of CommUnity Harehills, reassures the local communities we serve that Police and Partners are tackling and disrupting organised criminality, illegal activities and anti-social behaviour, pursuing those who choose to be involved in such activity and ensuring communities and roads are kept safe for all.

If you have any information or concerns about organised crime activity, illegal activities or anti-social behaviour please contact West Yorkshire Police. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.