By John Greenwood, local democracy reporter
Each of West Yorkshire’s council areas saw a fall in anti-social behaviour over last year’s Bonfire Night period – except for Leeds, where incidents rose.
According to West Yorkshire Policing figures for the November 1 to November 8, 2025, period, the region as a whole saw a 4.9 per cent reduction in the number of such incidents, compared to the same period in 2024.
The figures were among statistics presented to Calderdale scrutiny councillors, who had asked for feedback following preparations undertaken last November to help reduce anti-social behaviour around the period.
There were 20 more incidents in Leeds, up to 364 from 345 in 2024, according to the neighbourhood policing team figures, an increase of 5.8 per cent.
The discussion comes a fortnight after Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards supported petitions limiting fireworks usage in a Parliamentary debate, which followed complaints from constituents, including in Farnley and Wortley.
Bradford saw a reduction in number of incidents from 298 to 280, down 18, a six per cent fall.
In Kirklees, there were 17 less incidents, down to 137 from 154, an 11 per cent drop.
Wakefield saw 20 fewer incidents, down to 111 from 2024’s 131, a 15.3 per cent reduction.
And Calderdale itself saw a 17.5 per cent reduction in incidents of bonfire period related anti-social behaviour, down 14 from 80 to 66, according to the statistics.
Calderdale Council’s Place Scrutiny Board members heard late last year that measures over the period included partnership pro-active working, particularly between council community safety staff and police and volunteers including youth groups and council neighbourhood officers talking to people about potential dangers.
The aim, particularly around central Halifax areas to “engage, educate, deter and gather intelligence,” councillors heard.
