Friday June 30, 2023

An array of crime fighting measures to protect women enjoying a night out in Huddersfield has resulted in a substantial fall in offences, according to new figures.

Cutting edge preventative policing, drugs dogs, more night marshals and a dedicated safety bus have all been credited with making Huddersfield town centre safer for women and girls over the winter. 

Kirklees District Police has pledged to continue the crime prevention work to protect females after data showed a 41 per cent reduction in violent offending against women.  

Police recorded 43 offences classed as violence against women in 2022/2023 compared to 73 in 2021/22.     

The reduction has come in the wake of a huge package of measures implemented through the Safer Kirklees partnership and with funding and support from the Mayor of West Yorkshire and 3rd party agencies.    

Women from across Kirklees have also joined officers to form an Independent Advisory Group to suggest improvements to the District’s response to tackling violence against women and girls. 

DCI Marie Bulmer of Kirklees District CID, said: “Reducing offending against women and girls has been a key priority for Kirklees District, and a significant part of that work has been lowering offending in the night time economy.
“Huddersfield remains a popular night out in West Yorkshire and we have worked hard with our partners in force, at Safer Kirklees and third party groups, to deliver this package of safety measures.
“The feedback we’ve had to initiatives such as Spotlight and drugs dogs patrols has been really positive at all levels.”

Key initiatives launched in Huddersfield since winter 2022 have included the force’s cutting edge Project Spotlight developed to identify potential criminality and prevent it from ever taking place.

Spotlight has seen officers patrol at key times in uniform and plain clothes on busy streets to look out for those who are in the space for a criminal purpose.

Officers intervened early in situations where it looked like criminal behaviour could take place, resulting in a notable fall in offending in the first three months of 2023 compared to the last three months of 22.

The use of Spotlight in Kirklees followed its pilot in Leeds before Christmas where it was credited with lowering offending in the city centre night time economy.

Other activity has included regular patrols using passive drugs dogs in streets, bars and pubs in the town centre.  

These patrols resulting in the detection of Class A drugs on persons in the town, with subsequent searching of those stopped leading to the detection of weapons in some cases, with arrests then made. 

Preventative programmes also included the continued operation of Ask For Angela campaign in which victims can ask for assistance from bar staff if they feel at risk, and the deployment of the night safety bus.

The bus and its team of trained staff from Change Grow Live’s CHART Kirklees drug and alcohol service and Locala have been on hand to help people report sexual harassment and provide a safe space if someone is feeling threatened.

Finally, significant collaboration work has been ongoing with Huddersfield University to raise awareness among students about how they can stay safer.

“I want to thank all those who have collaborated with us in delivering this really important work,” DCI Bulmer added. “We’ve seen some real innovation in the crime prevention work which has been delivered and residents and licencees have really come on board with what we’ve been trying to achieve.
“Our new independent advisory group is also already suggesting new approaches which are helping improve the district’s approach when dealing with violence against women and girls.
“Women should feel safe to go out and enjoy a drink, dance or a meal in Huddersfield town centre, and we intend to keep up our joint work to ensure they can.”

Cllr Carole Pattison, Kirklees Cabinet Lead for Community safety said: “We want people to be able to enjoy out town centres during the day and into the evening. We have some fantastic bars, and restaurants within the town centre and I am delighted that so many are taking part in the Ask for Angela scheme.  
 
“In an ideal world we wouldn’t need schemes like this, but we know that situations occur where people are made to feel unsafe and that’s where this scheme comes in.  Whether it’s a date gone wrong, or you are feeling threatened by another person’s behaviour – Ask for Angela. A member of staff will help move you away from the situation and get you the help you need.  
 
“When combined with the night bus and Project Spotlight we hope that no matter what the situation you will feel safe to enjoy a night out in Huddersfield.”

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, said: “The Mayor and I want to build a safer, fairer West Yorkshire for everyone, wherever they go, day or night. 
 
“This vision is shared across the region and demonstrated by the readiness of so many venues to sign up to the Ask for Angela scheme, and to help anyone in need. 
 
“West Yorkshire has a fantastic and diverse night-time economy, and we will continue to work with partners, local authorities, and the police, to make sure everybody can feel safe and enjoy it to the full.”

See more detail about Ask for Angela and crime prevention in Kirklees at https://kirkleestogether.co.uk/2023/06/29/mystery-shopping-shows-ask-for-angela-helps-to-keep-people-safe/