JohnMoney seized from criminals has been used to transform an abandoned building into a vibrant community hub in Harehills.
The Fusion 8 Community Hub on Bexley Road will provide a safe and neutral space for residents to speak with their local police officers, whilst also serving as a food and hygiene bank and school uniform exchange.
The project has been largely funded with money from the ARIS fund (Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme) which takes cash seized from criminals and distributes it to police forces.
Working with Places for People (PfP), the UK’s leading social enterprise who provided the commercial unit, local PCSOs, councillors and PfP staff have volunteered their time to help transform the building into a welcoming space which will be open three days a week for two hours at a time.
The site celebrates the diverse communities of Harehills, with a garden area filled with plants from around the world and a large world map decorating the inside wall.
It all forms part of our ongoing ‘CommUnity Harehills’ project, focusing the work of the police and partner agencies under the Home Office’s Clear, Hold, Build tactic.
Clear, Hold, Build involves a sustained campaign of action to relentlessly target serious and organised crime in a specific area so that lasting improvements can be made.
We are now transitioning into the ‘Build’ phase, with a focus on long-term community development and crime prevention by addressing root causes and fostering local resilience.
Inspector Richard Neeves from the East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Since March 2023 we have been carrying out a proactive campaign of action to disrupt and dismantle organised criminality in the Harehills area, taking millions of pounds worth of drugs off the streets.
“We continue to work closely with our partner agencies to disrupt criminality, whilst also engaging and empowering the local community to help build lasting improvements.
“By creating a space for people to talk to officers and get practical, everyday support we hope to continue building our relationship with the local community. Their support is vital to the success of Clear, Hold, Build and I encourage people to get involved to make use of this new resource.”
Cllr Salma Arif, who chairs the CommUnity Harehills Partnership, said: “It is absolutely magnificent to see this building open in the heart of Harehills. This is what we wanted to achieve with Clear Hold Build, we wanted tangible results and this building means that local residents have access three days a week to local police as well as a foodbank, kit exchange and hopefully more will follow.
“This is what Clear Hold Build is all about and it is real partnership in the making.”
Places for People Chief Risk Officer and Market President for West Yorkshire, Judy Hardy said: “This hub is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, public services, and partners come together. It’s about creating a space that meets real needs and helps build trust and resilience in the community.
“At Places for People, we’re committed to creating thriving communities and supporting our customers in every aspect of their lives, not just through housing, but through meaningful social impact. Fusion 8 reflects our mission to invest in places and partnerships that empower people, and we’re proud to be part of something that will make a lasting difference in Harehills.”
