I would like to start this month’s column with a few updates on some recently shared news.
I am glad to announce that PCSO Nick Smith was successful at the Leeds District Awards as PCSO of the year. Nick was joined by a colleague from Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team who was awarded in the Partner of the Year category for his work in targeting dangerous offenders in the Holbeck area. I am also able to confirm that the On-Street Sex Working Team were winners of the ‘Admired Ally’ category at the Safer/Stronger Community Awards. The citation read:
“The on-street sex worker policing team were nominated for their continued hard work and dedication in managing, supporting and protecting one of the most vulnerable cohorts in the city.
“The team work tirelessly to be a presence on the streets, building relationships with those who at times are desperately in need, supporting them with mental health, addiction and as victims of crime and facilitating them access to specialised services.
“As a whole the team go above and beyond to protect and serve the women sex working on our streets and ensure that they get the most from the partnerships available to them.
“The partnership together as a whole have some massively life changing results and for that they deserve the recognition.”
Members of your local Neighbourhood Policing Team collated the donations for the Friends of Hunslet Moor Santa Toy appeal and enjoyed delivering them to the group. The gifts were prepared by the Friends of Hunslet Moor for gifting at their Christmas Grotto on 19 December.
My primary message this month is around drinking and driving. The New Year period is a time for celebration and enjoyment. If you plan to drink alcohol, please think about your journey home and remember that you could still be over the legal limit the next morning. Being convicted of drink or drug driving can lead to a substantial fine, losing your licence, New Year in a cell or worst of all, living in the knowledge that you have seriously injured or killed someone.
Last year West Yorkshire Police arrested 221 people for drink driving and 95 people for drug driving.
Throughout the New Year period, there will be increased enforcement in support of a national drive to reduce these offences at this time of year.
I wish you and your communities a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year.
This post was written by Inspector Tom Perry, Leeds south Neighbourhood Policing Team
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