As you may know, tackling the negative impacts of the Otley Run is a big priority for us and we regularly post updates about our work with council officers, venues, and the police.
Today Councillors from Weetwood and Headingley & Hyde Park wards, as well as Alex Sobel's office manager, had a really useful meeting to get a progress update on the work we've initiated and plans for the near future.
We've already changed the rules locally, so you can now be fined for lots of the bad behaviour including public urination.
That was really important, because the fines and prosecutions made the case to the police that this is a major problem - without these powers to enforce the problem was 'hidden' in the data.
We have now set up a Safer Leeds Partnership focused on preventing the behaviour in the first place. Here's some of what we discussed, in addition to the work already happening:
Funding for a Community Safety Warden and patrols - Otley Run has been prioritised for this funding from projects across the city. No more warnings, straight to a fine for bad behaviour!
Working to get very obvious cameras at the beginning of the Otley Run to show people they can be caught for bad behaviour, and to help us monitor when large groups come off the coaches. Also tapping into FirstBus cameras (each bus has cameras on it)
Communications support for a counter-narrative on social media
Action Week to coincide with the Violent Against Women and Girls action week, starting on International Women's Day
More information to come!