Joint efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour in Halifax Town Centre has led to over a 10% reduction in shop thefts.
West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, has been working together with the charity Happy Days, Calderdale Council, and West Yorkshire Police to help combat the issues.
It forms part of the Government’s ‘Safer Streets’ initiative, with more neighbourhood policing officers on high streets across the country.
Chief Executive Officer, Ellen Boothe is from Happy Days, a charity which supports homeless people and those in crisis. She said:
“At Happy Days, we take a holistic approach, recognising that many of our service members live with complex needs, from adverse childhood experiences to trauma that affects them well into adulthood. We’re here to offer not just therapy, advocacy, and wraparound support, but also practical help like our community supermarket — all of which helps people rebuild their lives.
“By working closely with our partner agencies, we can respond quickly, making sure people get the right support at the right time. And we’re seeing the results — less harm, reduced anti-social behaviour, and more people finding stability before they ever reach crisis point.”
James Batty is a counsellor at Happy Days whose role has been funded through the West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin’s Safer Communities Fund. Mr Batty added:
“Many of our service users have faced complex challenges from a young age, which has led to addiction and mental health issues, which then can often lead to anti-social behaviour.
“However, this isn’t the life that our users set out to have, or want to have, and that’s why we offer a safe space and practical support to help them, reframe their lives, access rehab, and move towards recovery.”
Working with partners is key to delivering the priorities of the West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin’s Police and Crime Plan.
Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe said:
“Because Happy Days has earned the trust of the community, it’s easier for police and other services to work effectively with those affected by serious crime and exploitation.
“This helps us offer the right support, prevent people from entering the criminal justice system, and provide opportunities for rehabilitation and change.
“Neighbourhood policing is critical to community safety, but it’s not just about reacting to crime, it’s also about preventing it – that’s why these organisations are essential partners in tackling anti-social behaviour and supporting safer communities.”
Chief Inspector May Preston, Neighbourhoods and Partnerships lead at Calderdale District said:
“Officers often come across very vulnerable people in our everyday policing and staff at Happy Days have the expertise to support them.
“Working in partnership with them allows us to take a whole systems approach to dealing with some of these issues, which are more societal rather than simply just about enforcement.
“This partnership approach has already seen results, with over a 10 per cent reduction in shop thefts and a 30 per cent decrease in demand around our night-time economy.”
Calderdale Council Cabinet Member for Ovenden, Danielle Durrans, said:
“As Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, I work closely with partners like Happy Days to ensure vulnerable people receive the support they need.
“Their ability to respond flexibly to complex needs makes them a vital part of our community safety strategy, improving outcomes not just for individuals, but for families and neighbourhoods.
“Through our partnership and the Deputy Mayor’s support, we’re tackling issues like antisocial behaviour and public safety with compassion and collaboration.”