More police will be on the streets after dark in Huddersfield town centre in the run-up to Christmas.

The Huddersfield town centre policing team has launched a series of extra patrols from this week to help keep people safe during the festive period.

The high-visibility patrols, which will run into Christmas week, will also involve officers watching out for known shoplifters or those banned from the town centre.

There will also be a continuing focus on Huddersfield Bus Station which has been subject to anti-social behaviour reports.

The extra patrols are just one part of a range of measures which have been underway in Huddersfield to help residents, particularly women, stay safer.

To support those enjoying a night out, the ‘Night Safety Bus’ will 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.

 

 

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.

A total of 288 Safe Zones operate in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Mirfield and more and promote themselves with the specially designed Safe Zone sticker.

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.

Sgt Graham Watson, of the Huddersfield Town Centre Team, said: “As Christmas draws nearer, officers from the team are once again stepping up our high visibility operations to reassure shoppers, retailers and revellers.

“This will see more patrols on key dates, targeted around late night shopping and residents out and about going for a Christmas drink or meal.

“We will also be keeping a focus on the bus station following our recent work there.”

Sgt Watson added: “We want people using the town centre 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.

“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.”

Information about suspected offending in Huddersfield town centre can be reported to the Huddersfield Town Centre Team via https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat or anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

 

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