'We must do more to improve bus station safety'

Authorities must "pull a plan together" to tackle safety fears around Leeds City Bus Station, according to West Yorkshire's deputy mayor for policing and crime.

Alison Lowe spoke as women in the city centre said they felt "unsafe" because of anti-social behaviour at the station.

Lowe noted "safe zones" had been set up by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority at stations in the region, with specially trained personnel to help those who felt "at risk of harm".

But she conceded there was more to do, "especially ahead of the darker months", to ensure passengers feel safe.

"I actually am aware of the problems at the bus station," Lowe said.

"[West Yorkshire Mayor] Tracy Brabin was at the bus station during summer and reported back that she felt unsafe.

"It was hot, people were sitting outside, some were begging, she felt it was intimidating, [there were] groups of men, some she felt were taking drugs."

Lauren Butler said anti-social behaviour around the bus station was getting worse

Despite the safe zones, Lauren Butler was among those sharing concerns about her daily commute to the city centre.

While waiting for a bus adjacent to the station entrance, Ms Butler said the anti-social behaviour was not only "constant" but intensifying.

"It makes me feel unsafe", she said.

"In the last three years, anti-social behaviour has skyrocketed - it has never been this bad."

The 30-year-old now refuses to come to the area with her young son because of the "apparent drug use".

"There is a complete lack of police presence which is really worrying," she said.

"I cannot bring my child because of what I am seeing on a daily basis - being shouted at and heckled.

"It has become unlivable."

Sam Hesling would like to see police take more action on anti-social behaviour

The introduction of safe zones followed a £1m scheme which put 15 police community support officers on full-time patrol across stations and buses.

Waiting for a bus opposite the station, Sam Hesling said she would like to see more enforcement.

The 53-year-old described her exasperation at seeing "gangs and groups of children shouting" through the station.

"You can hardly get an officer to come to your house when you are having trouble with a neighbour that is being anti-social, so how do you expect them to deal with people out and about?"

Christine Barrass and Janet Hodson usually drive into Leeds, but this time decided to take a bus into the city centre.

Rather than enforcement, the pair want to see more support for those accused of anti-social behaviour.

"People are sleeping and begging - it should not be happening," said Ms Barrass.

"The elderly should not be frightened of going out, it is intimidating when you see someone coming up to you - but that is all they know.

"If you have nothing, what else do you do? You beg don't you?"

Christine Barrass and Janet Hodson said there had been an increase in the number of homeless people around the bus station

Ms Hodson echoed her friend's comments, adding homeless people congregating around the bus station had received abuse from passers-by.

"The public can be nasty - I once witnessed someone urinate on a person laying rough," she said.

"I tried to have a word but you get verbal abuse."

Lowe admitted ahead of the colder months authorities "need to be pulling a plan together again" to tackle concerns.

She said with more people moving into the station for shelter, "we need to work better with the local authority responsible for homelessness, drug and alcohol services and understand what more we can do".

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