Hunslet Retailers See ASB Drop After Team Leodis Focus 2026

Key Points

• Retailers in the Hunslet area of Leeds have reported real improvements in anti-social behaviour (ASB) following targeted policing efforts.
• Team Leodis, a specialist police team expert in court orders and injunctions, was deployed to Hunslet since September 2025.
• The team surveyed retail and fast-food outlets at The Penny Hill Centre, Tulip Retail Park, and on Low Road.
• Partners consulted included Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Youth Justice Service, Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team, and local youth provisions.
• Identified issues comprised youths riding bikes along shopping parades, assaults on staff, criminal damage to businesses and stock, low-level thefts, verbal abuse to staff and customers, and general nuisances like running in stores, swearing, shouting, and throwing items at windows.
• Retailers admitted not reporting all incidents due to low confidence that police would attend and address them.

Hunslet (The Leeds Times) February 14, 2026 – Retailers in the Hunslet area have reported a noticeable drop in anti-social behaviour around local retail parks, crediting intensified policing efforts led by Team Leodis since September 2025. This specialist team, comprising police officers with expertise in deploying court orders and injunctions, has collaborated with local partners to tackle longstanding issues plaguing businesses. The improvements come after surveys revealed under-reporting of crimes due to eroded trust in police response times.

What Triggered the Deployment of Team Leodis to Hunslet?

Team Leodis was specifically deployed to the Hunslet area starting in September 2025 to address rising concerns over anti-social behaviour. This multi-agency specialist unit focuses on leveraging court orders and injunctions to prevent crime and ASB effectively.

As part of their initial strategy, the team conducted comprehensive surveys of retail and fast-food outlets situated at key locations including The Penny Hill Centre, Tulip Retail Park, and along Low Road.

These surveys were not conducted in isolation. Team Leodis engaged with a range of partners to gain a full picture of local challenges. These included the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team, the Youth Justice Service, Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team, and various local youth provisions. This collaborative approach ensured that the intervention was informed by on-the-ground intelligence from those directly affected.

Which Specific Issues Were Identified in Hunslet Retail Parks?

The surveys uncovered a pattern of disruptive behaviours severely impacting retailers. Youths were frequently observed riding bikes up and down shopping parades, creating hazards and deterring customers. More serious incidents involved assaults on staff members, which heightened fears among workers.

Criminal damage emerged as another major concern, with businesses and their stock repeatedly targeted. Low-level thefts were commonplace, alongside verbal abuse directed at both staff and customers. Additionally, individuals caused general nuisances by running around inside stores, swearing, shouting, and even throwing objects at windows.

These cumulative issues painted a picture of an area struggling with persistent low-level disorder.

Why Were Retailers Not Reporting All Incidents?

A critical revelation from the surveys was the extent of under-reporting by retailers. Businesses confirmed they were not notifying police of every incident due to a profound lack of confidence in response effectiveness. Retailers expressed scepticism that officers would attend promptly or take meaningful action to resolve the problems.

This distrust had fostered a culture of resignation among shop owners and managers. Many felt that previous reports had yielded little tangible change, leading them to handle disturbances internally where possible. Such under-reporting masked the true scale of ASB, complicating efforts to allocate resources appropriately.

How Has Team Leodis’ Intervention Led to Improvements?

Retailers have now voiced satisfaction with the progress achieved. They describe the changes as “real improvements,” signalling a shift in the area’s atmosphere around retail parks.

The deployment of Team Leodis’ specialised tactics, including the strategic use of court orders and injunctions, appears to have disrupted patterns of repeat offending.

The multi-partner engagement played a pivotal role. By pooling expertise from the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Youth Justice Service, Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team, and youth provisions, interventions were tailored to root causes.

This holistic method addressed not only symptoms but also underlying factors such as youth disengagement.

What Role Did Surveys Play in the Strategy?

The initial surveys at The Penny Hill Centre, Tulip Retail Park, and Low Road were foundational. They provided actionable data on the nature and frequency of ASB. Retailers and fast-food outlets offered firsthand accounts, highlighting the bike-riding disruptions, staff assaults, criminal damage, thefts, verbal abuse, and nuisance behaviours.

These insights directly informed targeted actions. For instance, injunctions could be pursued against persistent bike riders or individuals known for verbal abuse. The surveys also rebuilt some trust, as retailers saw their concerns being taken seriously and acted upon.

Who Are the Key Partners Involved?

Collaboration was central to the operation. The Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team contributed local knowledge on persistent hotspots. The Youth Justice Service focused on interventions for young offenders, potentially diverting them from escalation.

Leeds South Neighbourhood Policing Team provided broader policing support, while local youth provisions offered community-based alternatives to street activity. Team Leodis coordinated these efforts, ensuring court tools were applied judiciously. This partnership model exemplifies integrated policing in urban retail zones.

What Specific Behaviours Have Declined Most Noticeably?

Retailers highlight reductions in several key areas. Bike-riding by youths along parades has diminished, reducing hazards near entrances. Assaults on staff, once a regular threat, have become rarer, boosting worker morale.

Criminal damage to premises and stock has fallen, preserving business viability. Low-level thefts and verbal abuse incidents targeting staff and customers have also decreased. Even spontaneous nuisances—running through stores, swearing, shouting, and window-throwing—have waned, creating a calmer trading environment.

How Does Under-Reporting Affect Policing Efforts?

Under-reporting distorts crime statistics and hampers resource allocation. In Hunslet, retailers’ reluctance stemmed from perceived inefficacy of past police attendance. This cycle perpetuated ASB, as unreported patterns evaded scrutiny.

Team Leodis broke this loop by prioritising visibility and follow-through. Their presence signalled commitment, encouraging fuller reporting. Accurate data now supports sustained interventions, preventing resurgence.

What Lessons Can Other Areas Learn from Hunslet?

Hunslet’s experience underscores the value of specialist teams like Team Leodis. Expertise in legal tools such as injunctions allows precise targeting of prolific offenders. Early surveys ensure interventions match local realities.

Partnering across services amplifies impact, addressing youth involvement holistically. Rebuilding retailer confidence through demonstrable action is crucial for long-term reporting compliance. Retail parks elsewhere facing similar ASB could replicate this blueprint.

Is the Drop in ASB Sustainable?

Retailers’ positive feedback is encouraging, but sustainability depends on continued resourcing. Team Leodis’ ongoing presence since September 2025 has yielded results, yet vigilance is required. Monitoring via partners will detect any upticks early.

Youth-focused initiatives from the Youth Justice Service and local provisions may prevent recidivism. Retailers’ renewed trust could sustain reporting, aiding proactive policing. Authorities must balance this success with broader demands.

Broader Context of ASB in Leeds Retail Areas

Hunslet’s gains contrast with challenges elsewhere in Leeds. Retail parks often grapple with similar issues due to high footfall and evening trading. Team Leodis’ model could expand, leveraging proven tactics.

The focus on court orders innovates beyond traditional patrols. By deterring through legal consequences, it offers efficiency. Retailers’ endorsements validate this shift, potentially influencing policy.