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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Serious and Organised Crime, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Teams continue to work with partner agencies, to pursue and take action against criminals, that cause harm in the communities we serve in order to build safer and stronger communities for all.
A series of multi-agency operations and proactive deployments were held across Gipton and Harehills, between the 17th September 2025 and 27th October 2025, to address community concerns raised.
On the 17th September 2025, officers from Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) executed warrants at two neighbouring properties on South Farm Road in Gipton, Leeds. A quantity of Class A and B drugs and a number of vehicles were seized, during the deployments with two adults arrested.
As part of Operation Jetshot a city-wide operation held across Leeds District on the 18th September 2025, as part of the Safer Streets commitment to tackle neighbourhood crime a vehicle was stopped and seized in Harehills for motoring offences. You can read more about the city-wide operation at: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/news-appeals/neighbourhood-policing-showcased-during-operation-jetshot-leeds
PC Rawson was conducting patrols across the Strathmore’s on Tuesday 4th October 2025, when a vehicle was found containing illegal nonduty paid cigarettes and tobacco. Over 32,000 cigarettes were contained in the vehicle and 198 pouches of 50g hand rolling tobacco, with an estimated total value of £28,000.
The tobacco products were seized by PC Rawson, on behalf of West Yorkshire Trading Standards who will lead in the investigation.
Officers were conducting proactive patrols in Harehills on the 6th October 2025, when an adult male was stopped and searched. The male was found in possession of Class A drugs and attempted to provide false details to officers. However, officers conducted a series of checks which highlighted the male was wanted for a serious assault that occurred some fifteen years ago. The male was subsequently arrested by officers and remanded to prison, pending a court appearance.
A multi-agency operation was also held on the 16th October 2025, with NPT officers and West Yorkshire Roads Policing Unit, working in partnership with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Leeds City Council Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Team and Leeds City Council Serious and Environmental Crime Team.
As a result of the deployments thirty-five vehicles were brought through a check point, with six being immediately prohibited by the DVSA following the checks, for faults such as:
• Loose axels
• No brake lights
• Cords exposed on tyres
• Fuel leaks
Roads Policing and NPT officers issued several traffic offence reports to motorists for:
• Using a mobile phone whilst driving
• Motorists driving otherwise in accordance with a licence
• Failure to wear a seatbelt
• Insufficient tyre tread
• Overweight vehicles
A total of thirty-three individuals were also checked by the DWP of which nineteen were found not to be claiming benefits, fourteen were found to be in receipt of benefits of which six will be investigated. One motorist stopped who was claiming a range of benefits, had their benefits immediately suspended.
In addition to the above a misuse of drugs warrant was executed on the 27th October 2025, on Ashton Road in Harehills, whereby a large quantity of Class A and B drugs were seized. A total of seven individuals were arrested, for the following offences:
• Four arrests for possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs
• One arrest for possession of drugs
• One arrest for immigration offences
• One arrested for the individual being wanted on warrant
One individual has been charged to date and the investigation remains ongoing. A full premise closure order was also granted on the property at Court, which will remain in place until the 7th February 2026.
Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team lead Sergeant Jordan Gittins said:
“West Yorkshire Police and partners continue to tackle criminality within local communities and will utilise all powers available to them to prevent criminality, offending in the community in order to reassure the communities we serve, that action is and will be taken.
“Protecting our communities is a priority and we continue to actively work alongside partner agencies, third sector agencies and communities, to keep communities safe for all.
“None of us want to see organised crime in our neighbourhoods and I encourage residents to keep contacting us via 101 or our online reporting methods with any information which can help us disrupt criminal activity and the sale of illegal goods. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
 If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Get Involved Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
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