Multi Agency Operations Target Road Safety in East Leeds

Police in Gipton and Harehills are continuing targeted work to improve road safety across East Leeds, combining enforcement activity with education and partnership operations in response to local concerns.

The Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team has been carrying out a series of road safety deployments across the ward as part of the Vision Zero Strategy, which aims to reduce serious injuries and deaths on the roads.

As part of the initiative, checks were carried out on vehicles and operators. Nine vehicles were inspected by the Serious Environmental Crime Team, resulting in notices being issued to produce waste documentation and waste carrier licences, with one motorist required to purchase a licence at the roadside. Six HGVs were checked by the DVSA, which will take action on operators’ licences due to various offences. Officers issued four traffic offence reports for issues including driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, defective steering and an insecure load.

A further road safety operation took place across Gipton and Harehills in December, again involving partner agencies. During that deployment, two motorists were reported to court for offences including driving while disqualified, no MOT and vehicle defects, with two vehicles seized. Officers also issued four immediate and two delayed prohibition notices for defects such as tyres, brakes and airbag issues, including one overloaded vehicle.

Additional action included dealing with a driver who had insufficient driver records when operating an HGV, issuing two traffic offence reports for insecure loads likely to cause danger, and one report for failing to wear a seatbelt.

More recently, officers and PCSOs worked with Leeds City Council’s Waste Management Team to address vehicles obstructing refuse crews in the area. Several vehicle owners were spoken to, warned and asked to move their vehicles.

The Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team said it will continue to work with partner agencies to respond to community concerns and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists across the ward. Motorists are being urged to drive and park legally and considerately, with enforcement action taken where necessary to reduce the risk of harm.