Huddersfield Town Centre

We are delivering an increased ‘Christmas presence’ in Huddersfield this December in an ongoing drive to make Kirklees town centres safer.

Your Huddersfield Town Centre Team officers and NPT colleagues have been stepping up operations over the winter months to target repeat offenders, keep businesses safer and reassure persons using the town centre.

That means more high visibility patrols and more operations to catch suspects.

During November officers made 65 arrests across Huddersfield and Dewsbury, prosecuted 15 people for breach of Community Protection Notices, and confiscated alcohol from street drinkers on 13 occasions.

Activity included increased patrols in both town’s bus stations, with high visibility drugs dog operations in Dewsbury to deter offending, and plain clothes activity in Huddersfield to catch out and arrest wanted offenders.

To further support those enjoying a night out, the ‘Night Safety Bus’ will also continue to be deployed at key points in Huddersfield Town Centre during evenings to provide support to those who want it on a night out.

The bus is on hand to help people report sexual harassment and provide a safe space if people feel threatened.

We also continue to support initiatives to make the town centres safer for those using the night time economy, including licencing checks at bars and pubs, support the Ask for Angela initiative and work with Kirklees Council licensing partners to monitor private and hackney taxis.

Meanwhile, Kirklees Police continues to actively support its Safe Zone scheme and the free downloadable Walk Safe app which already allows users to pinpoint locations of a number of Safe Zones on their smart phones. Safe Zones are areas where a woman, or child could step off the street if they feel they are being followed until the risk has passed, or they might wish to charge their phone and call a friend or parent.

Existing locations include retailers, bars, cafes, sports centres, public buildings and bus stations.

Inspector Mark Pattinson of Kirklees Police, said: “Our winter operations in Dewsbury and Huddersfield have been ongoing for a number of weeks now and, as Christmas draws closer, we want to reassure residents they are very much continuing.

“We want people using the town centres this festive season to feel safe and we also want to do all we can to help retailers make the most of the Christmas shopping period.

“Enhanced patrols and plains clothes operations continue and I can promise we are keeping a focus on bus stations following our recent work there, to help persons out have a safer journey.

“Officers will be keeping an eye out for known suspects for theft and disorderly behaviour, and I would encourage anyone who sees or has information about such offending to contact us.

He added: “We do hope those out using the town centres for a Christmas meal or drink enjoy themselves safely and urge them to seek a police officer, member of door staff or support services such as the Night Safety Bus, if they are in any need of support.”