Anti-social behaviour and crime levels down after ‘Winter of Action’

Wakefield Council, West Yorkshire Police and partners have delivered visible, practical action across the Government’s ‘Winter of Action’ to reduce crime and enhance safety during the winter months.

The extension of the city centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), introduced in mid-December to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the city, is already having a positive impact and increasing public confidence.

Through the Winter of Action, police resources were deployed across the district 75 times, 35 arrests took place and 26 tickets issued for breach of the PSPO.

During this period, Wakefield city centre has seen a 10% reduction in shoplifting alone with an overall reduction of theft of 36% when compared to the same period last year.

Enforcement action taken by the Council’s anti-social behaviour team resulted in eight Criminal Behaviour Orders granted between 1 November 2025 and 31 January 2026.

Inspector Paul Fraser, of the Wakefield Central NPT, said: “Driving down crime in Wakefield city centre and ensuring that shoppers, retail staff and residents feel safe in their community has been a clear operational priority for the Wakefield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team throughout our Winter of Action activity.  

“Retail crime has reduced significantly, and the revised City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is already having a very positive impact. It has strengthened our ability to intervene early, disrupt anti-social behaviour and address conduct that undermines public confidence, even where it does not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution.  

“Our neighbourhood officers are proactively enforcing these powers to protect businesses and the wider community.

“We are also continuing our ‘tackle, not tolerate’ approach — combining high-visibility patrols with targeted covert activity to deter offending, identify repeat perpetrators and locate and arrest wanted individuals.

“While we are encouraged by the reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour achieved so far, we recognise there is further work ahead in 2026. We will continue working closely with partners at Wakefield Council and across West Yorkshire to build on this momentum and deliver a safer, stronger city centre for everyone.”

Cllr Daniel Wilton, added: “This work has shown that a targeted partnership operation such as this can deliver results for residents across our district.”

Reductions in retail crime were also recorded in Castleford and Pontefract town centres during the Winter of Action operation.