Community safety gets a boost
>>>Posted 01/09/2005
Four Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been appointed to patrol Holbeck Urban Village, increasing saftey and providing reassurance for businesses and people working in the area.
Results of a recent community safety audit show actual levels of crime in the area to be much lower than they are generally perceived to be. They are also lower than the average figures for the rest of Leeds.
Prostitution and drug related crime are seen as the main problems facing the area, but they make up only a small percentage of actual crime. Nevertheless residents and businesses based in Holbeck remain concerned about perceptions of the area and community safety.
The PCSOs have initially been assigned to the area for a two year period, and will provide a visible uniformed presence within Holbeck Urban Village from the beginning of August.
To ensure that crime isn’t displaced into surrounding communities as the regeneration programme gets underway, the officers will also patrol the adjoining community of Holbeck.
The PCSOs are jointly funded by Yorkshire Forward and Leeds City Council, and will be managed by West Yorkshire Police. The PCSOS will be introduced at an event currently being organised for Autumn when they have fully completed their training.
