'Why Leeds is becoming the UK’s boldest city in its fight back against tackling crime' - Leeds BID
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Leeds BID issues ‘watch out’ warning to criminals as city centre teams up to unite in fight against tackling crime
Business crime, anti-social behaviour, shop theft and perceptions of safety are prevalent in all city centres in the UK.
This topic is regularly used as a political football with aspirations to make things better for all.
But what we are witnessing in Leeds is a new, fresh and innovative approach to tackling issues of business crime and anti social behaviour, a recognition that it is only through true collaboration that we can deter this negative behaviour and make the city centre a safer place for all.
In 2024 businesses in the heart of Leeds stated quite clearly that Leeds Business Improvement District should take an active role in the challenges of safety and crime reduction.
In response to this, during 2025 it rose to the challenge taking on the old ‘Business Crime Partnership’ known to many as BACIL and breathed new life and investment into it.
With a quarter of a million pounds worth of investment into new technology and new staff - business, bars, venues, shopping centres, office blocks and council amenities in the centre of Leeds have a ‘new’ state of the art well connected system to the police and CCTV which is operated by Leeds City Council and to each other which creates a network of communication and action to deter city centre crime, shop theft and anti-social behaviour.
According to the British Retail Consortium’s Retail Crime Survey in 2025, retailers spent a staggering £1.8bn on Crime Prevention measures just in one year. This is a massive sum which ultimately is a cost passed onto the consumer, but it highlights the challenge that faces all town and cities across the UK.
Police too have invested in new facial recognition technology or as I call it ‘ANPR for scallies’ - identifying known offenders who come into Leeds only to create a negative experience. Known faces are quickly challenged if they up to no good.
The council too have ambitions to improve the pedestrian core through their ‘Briggate Action Plan’ and creating public protection orders.
These statutory measures are a welcome accompaniment alongside the investment and participation of the business community through the new Leeds business Crime Reduction Partnership or LeedsBCRP to give its more snappy title.
Crime Partnerships in the UK are established models of collaboration to reduce crime, shop theft and ASB with many partnerships led by the Business Improvement District who has only one objective - to see ‘improvement’ and work for the good of all.
In Leeds the message that we are sending out to those wishing to come to city centre for all the wrong reasons, is simple - “watch out” - the city centre has come together and is stepping up its game significantly.
With the police, shopping centres, leisure venues, the night time economy and statutory services coming together there is a new momentum in Leeds to create a safer experience for everyone.
So, welcome to Leeds!