Additional powers granted to tackle anti-social behaviour at 13 high rise blocks in east Leeds

A court order which will provide additional powers to tackle a variety of anti-social behaviour at over a dozen high rise blocks in east Leeds has been secured by Leeds City Council.

This follows action taken by the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team (LASBT) at Leeds Magistrates Court, which has resulted in 13 high rise blocks residing in the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward of the city now subject to an initial three-month Partial Closure Order. Buildings featuring in the Partial Closure Order include; Cherry Court; Marston Mount; Lincoln Towers; Ferriby Towers; Spalding Towers; Grantham Towers; Naseby Grange; Roxby Close; Boston Towers; Lindsey Mount and Cromwell Heights (blocks 1,2 & 3).

As part of the terms of the Partial Closure Order, no visitor will be allowed to access the high rise block during the three-month period, without express permission by the council or a resident. Incorporated in the order are all areas of the buildings including the foyer, lifts and stairwells. Any visitor not given permission that attempts to access any of the high rise blocks could face further action, including through the courts. The decision to seek a Partial Closure Order is in response to concerns raised by residents regarding anti-social behaviour experienced at each high rise block. Examples have included drug dealing, continued vandalism and drug paraphernalia, excrement and blood found in stairwells. 

 Any residents suffering from anti-social behaviour can get in touch with LASBT in the following ways: To report in the daytime call 0113 222 4402 or out of hours on 0113 376 0337 (between 6pm and 3.30am).

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member with responsibility for Safer Leeds, said:

 “We will not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour in our communities and residents can be assured that every tool at our disposal will be used with our partners at West Yorkshire Police to put a stop to it as soon as possible.

“The types of behaviour that we have seen from some regular visitors at each of these 13 tower blocks in east Leeds was completely unacceptable and having a terrible impact on many residents living in each of the buildings. That is why we took the decision having listened to concerns from residents, to seek a Partial Closure Order through the courts for all of the blocks in one action, and I am pleased that it has been granted.

“We will be monitoring each block to ensure the Partial Closure Order is properly adhered to. I would like to make it clear that anyone who thinks they can just ignore the order, further action will be taken if they continue to try to access any of the buildings without permission.

 “I would urge anyone who is experiencing any anti-social behaviour issues to please not suffer in silence but to contact our dedicated LASBT team as soon as possible.”

Superintendent Jackie Marsh, West Yorkshire Police strategic partnership lead for Safer Leeds, said:

“We are working closely alongside our partners in the council to tackle the completely unacceptable criminality and anti-social behaviour that has been impacting on the lives of the residents.

“We hope residents will begin to see some significant improvements as a result of this latest action, which should demonstrate our continued commitment to using all available measures to target the problems that affects people’s lives.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be actively enforcing the order and we encourage people to report any incidents or breaches so that further action can be taken.”