Police have had a crackdown on alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield town centre.

Officers from the Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership Team and British Transport Police carried out a joint operation on Wednesday. Police made arrests, seized alcohol and removed people from the town centre.

A Section 35 Direction to Leave order is in place until Friday (June 17) which means officers can order people behaving in an anti-social way to leave a designated area. If they refuse they can be arrested.

The operation was centred around Huddersfield Railway Station and surrounding streets. During the day a man was arrested for possession of Class A drugs while another was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.

Three people were ordered to leave the area and two cans of alcohol were seized. Police jointly made seven stop searches for drugs and received a number of intelligence reports from members of the public. That intelligence will now be analysed to help plan future police activity.

Insp Graham Dyson, of the Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are aware of residents and retailers’ concerns regarding street drinking and related anti-social behaviour in the town centre and have been planning this operation with our colleagues.

“I hope Wednesday’s action and the Section 35 order will make it very clear to those who think it is acceptable to behave in this fashion that people in the town will not stand for it and neither will the police.

“The recent arrest and charging of a man for offences at the bus station and an attempted robbery in the town should also demonstrate how seriously we take these issues.”

Insp Dyson added: “Officers are monitoring anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield and will not hesitate to enforce the Section 35 order while it is in place.

“None of those who were directed to leave during the operation have returned to the centre which would be a criminal offence and result in arrest.

“We are now developing the intelligence we received to plan future activity and I would ask anyone who has information about street drinking and associated crime to contact the Huddersfield NPT on 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat

“Information can also always be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 or online via their website.”

Clr Carole Pattison

Clr Carole Pattison, Kirklees Council’s Cabinet member for learning, aspiration and communities, said: “When people visit Huddersfield town centre I want them to be safe and feel safe.

“Unfortunately, those who choose to drink alcohol in the street and commit anti-social behaviour are intimidating to our residents, visitors and business owners.

“We know that during the summer months we often see a spike in this behaviour and that is why Wednesday’s operation was so crucial. We have set out early that this behaviour is not acceptable and that action will be taken against those who continue to behave inappropriately.

“My thanks go to West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police and everyone involved in making our town centres safe for everyone all year round.”