‘Everything possible’ is being done to tackle problems with a spate of vandalism in Pudsey, a local councillor has said.
Cllr Mick Coulson, who chairs the council’s Outer West Community Committee, has been speaking with police and Safer Leeds – a community safety initiative involving Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police and partners – in a bid to tackle problems.
Problems include vandalism to the park gate planters, which have been targeted every day this week but also the brick bed and the treacle mines display next to the library yesterday and today. Much of the work had been carried out by volunteers at Pudsey in Bloom.
Cllr Coulson (Lab, Pudsey), who is the safety champion for the outer west area, said the problems with vandalism spread from the town centre over to the park, Pudsey Cemetery and the vicarage. He said ‘everything we can do at present is being done’ and added:
“I have been working with the partnership on the problems around Pudsey for the last two weeks
“After meeting with the parks department work is to start on the 12th of September to cut back the over grown hedge on the foot path at Meadowhurst, which has been a hiding spot for this gang of youths. Other plans are in place from the police, who we have regular meetings with and have been doing for a long time.”
Cllr Coulson said he had requested a search of CCTV footage retrieved from the camera by the park gates.
Problems have been reported to the police, but Pudsey in Bloom have labelled the problems as ‘heartbreaking’.
The Dispatch reported yesterday about the problems in Pudsey Park, theft from vans and bins being burned out in the middle of Queen’s Park, amongst others.
The problems have been met with anger by residents on social media, with some calling for more CCTV to be installed and a greater police presence in the town. Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew has asked for a meeting with police to tackle the problems.
One Pudsey resident yesterday penned an open letter to the vandals.
