On The Beat: Stay safe during darker nights

I have now been writing this column for nearly 18 months and I just wanted to introduce myself again to anyone that is new to South Leeds Life.

I am the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector (NPT) for South Leeds and lead a team of Sergeants, police officers and Police Community Support Officers who work hard to problem solve issues in your area, engage with residents and businesses, conduct early intervention and prevention of problems and strive to make South Leeds a safer place to live and be.

The summer holidays seem like a distant memory and we are now into our planning for the next period which includes the darker nights and bonfire period. I have recently chaired a bonfire planning meeting with a number of key partners and elected members from south Leeds to discuss this period and how we can reduce the anti-social behaviour that we often find increases around this time of year.

Bonfire night will feel very different this year with the Covid restrictions however, we are working in partnership to ensure that residents do not suffer anti-social behaviour and issues with fireworks as we have seen in previous years.

As the nights get longer, we move into our ‘darker nights’ period. This can often see an increase in offences such as burglary and theft from motor vehicles. Please help us by target hardening your vehicle and premises and reducing the opportunity for you to become a victim.

Crime prevention doesn’t have to cost a lot of money – here’s a few simple steps that everyone can take to improve their home security :

• Always lock your doors and windows even when you’re at home
• Always take keys out of locks and keep them in a safe place
• Don’t leave keys in reach of the letterbox or cat flap, or on view through a window
• Make sure items such as car keys, laptops, tablets, phones and cash cannot be seen through a window
• Don’t leave power cables or charger units for laptops and tablets plugged in and on show
• If you’re out, try to make your home look occupied by using a timer switch to control lights
• Make sure Euro cylinder locks have achieved – TS 007 (3 star rating) or Sold Secure Diamond Standard for lock cylinders (SS312)
• If you have a burglar alarm always remember to switch it on when you leave the house or when you go to bed
• Why not start a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area? (If you would like further information on this please contact our NPT).

As part of my team we have a very experienced Crime Prevention Officer who is able to give detailed advice to you. Should you wish to discuss your home or vehicle security then please contact us via our email address InnerSouth@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

There is also a wealth of information on our West Yorkshire Police website including a ‘minute on a Monday’ Crime Prevention video – www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/our-services/minute-monday-crime-prevention-advice/minute-monday-crime-prevention-advice

We continue to tackle the illegal supply of drugs around the Inner South area and this is something that is often flagged to me at community meetings. This month I was very grateful to receive a phone call from a resident in Holbeck who wanted to pass on their thanks to my team.

They had reported concerns about drug dealing and my team responded quickly and were able to take positive action which identified a cannabis farm. Tackling the supply of drugs is a priority for each of the inner south wards and as I have said previously we rely on community information that we can develop into intelligence so please report your suspicions or concerns.

I am very proud of my team and the work that they deliver day in and day out. We are experiencing a really challenging time in policing at the moment and this period is unlike anything I have dealt with in my 17 years’ service. Despite these challenges and the risks that officers face every day they, and I, are still passionate and committed to delivering the best service we can to you.

Please stay safe and look after yourself, your loved ones and the wider community.

This post was written by Insp Lucy Leadbeater

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