Working Together to Crack Down on Anti-social Behaviour: A Look at How Wakefield’s Taskforce Is Making Communities Safer

Ever get fed up with thoughtless behaviour that spoils things for everyone? Whether it's rubbish dumped in a beauty spot, dangerously fast driving on local roads, or just general trouble in the town centre, it can really get you down. It’s the sort of thing that makes you feel less safe in your own community. But across the Wakefield district, a big push is underway to tackle this exact problem. Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police have teamed up through a special group, the Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce, to show that this kind of behaviour won’t be tolerated. They’re using some serious tools to make sure the district remains a clean, safe, and welcoming place for all the communities living there.

So, what's actually being done about it?

It’s all well and good to talk about cracking down on bad behaviour, but what does that mean in practice? It means real, solid action. This isn't just about a slap on the wrist. Over the last year, in 2025, the partnership working between the council and the police has led to some serious consequences for those causing trouble. In total, they issued 154 Fixed Penalty Notices. Think of these as on-the-spot fines for things like fly tipping or causing a drunken ruckus. They also secured 31 Criminal Behaviour Orders, which are a much bigger deal. A Criminal Behaviour Order, or CBO, is a court order given to persistent troublemakers that bans them from doing specific things or going to certain places. Breaching one can land you in prison.

And it’s not just an empty threat. One of the most significant results of this crackdown involved a case of persistent theft, where someone repeatedly went shoplifting. This individual was handed a five-year CBO and a prison sentence of over two years. This sends a clear message that repeated anti-social behaviour and targeting local businesses with theft will not be ignored. It's all part of a bigger strategy to handle the most prolific offenders who cause the most disruption. The entire effort is a great example of successful partnerships between local authorities and the police, with the enforcement team playing a crucial role in keeping people safe. This targeted approach aims to reduce the overall fear of crime by dealing with its root causes directly.

Cllr Daniel Wilton, who is Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, commented on the ongoing efforts:

“We’re determined to make sure our district is a safe and welcoming place for everyone. And we know that, for residents and businesses, tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority.

“That’s why we’ll continue working closely with partners to prevent anti-social behaviour and to take firm action against those who harm our communities and undermine the quality of life for others. I’m pleased we’re able to use our enforcement team to be able to keep residents and businesses safe.”

New rules to protect our public spaces

Part of making an area feel safe is making sure the public spaces—the parks, the streets, the city centre—are pleasant places to be. To help with this, the council uses something called a Public Spaces Protection Order, or PSPO for short. Basically, a PSPO sets out rules for a specific area to prevent certain kinds of nuisance behaviour. In November, the existing Public Spaces Protection Order for Wakefield city centre was extended and strengthened. This gives the police and council officers more power to step in when they see behaviour that’s having a bad effect on others. It's a proactive way to stop problems before they escalate.

But the efforts don't stop at the city centre. A brand-new district-wide PSPO came into force on 1 December to tackle another common problem: anti-social use of vehicles. This is aimed squarely at what's often called ‘car cruising’—think of cars racing, performing stunts, or gathering in large groups with loud music blaring late at night. This new rule covers the entire district, making it clear that using a car to intimidate or annoy others is not acceptable. These PSPOs are key tools in the fight against anti-social behaviour, helping to keep our shared spaces clean and enjoyable. The success of these measures in the city centre has been noted, and there are plans to review the PSPOs in both Castleford and Pontefract later in the year to see if similar improvements can be made there.

Getting tough on fly tipping

There's nothing more frustrating than seeing bags of rubbish or old furniture dumped by the side of the road or in a quiet lane. This problem, known as fly tipping, is not only ugly but can also be dangerous and expensive to clear up. The authorities are taking this seriously across the district. In the Eastmoor area, for example, there's been a concentrated effort to stop persistent fly tipping. This has involved sending out 138 enforcement letters, which are official warnings to people suspected of dumping rubbish, telling them to stop. Alongside these warnings, two Fixed Penalty Notices were issued, hitting offenders in the pocket. This shows a commitment to using every available tool, from warnings to fines, to tackle the problem and hold people accountable for their actions. It’s a vital part of keeping the local environment safe and clean for all communities.

The view from the top

The success of these initiatives relies heavily on strong partnership working and a clear strategy. The Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce was created with a specific goal in mind. Chief Inspector Emma Hooks, who is a leader in partnerships and community policing in the Wakefield District, explained the thinking behind it.

“The ASB Taskforce was set up to address the rising fear of crime by adopting robust measures to manage prolific offenders and those causing the most harm. This has resulted in significant reductions of crime within the city centre, most notably theft from shops, and has made visitors to the city feel safe.”

The results speak for themselves. With crime dropping, especially theft, the city centre is becoming a safer place for shoppers and visitors. Chief Inspector Emma Hooks is optimistic that this success can be built upon.

“There has been some good enforcement of the new PSPO in the city centre despite only being recently implemented and it is hoped that this can be replicated elsewhere in the Wakefield district following the impending review of PSPOs in Castleford and Pontefract later in the year.”

This ongoing work, from issuing Criminal Behaviour Orders and Fixed Penalty Notices to implementing new PSPOs, shows a real dedication from both Wakefield Council and West Yorkshire Police. Cllr Wilton added a final thought on the new rules for public spaces:

“The extension of the city centre PSPO and the new PSPO for car cruising across the district will help us keep our public spaces clean and safe for everyone to enjoy.”

It's clear that by working together, the authorities are making a tangible difference, tackling anti-social behaviour head-on to build stronger, safer communities across the entire district. This announcement, made on 29 January 2026, highlights a sustained and effective campaign that benefits everyone who lives and works in Wakefield.