Shoppers ‘too scared’ to go into Castleford due to anti-social behaviour and drug taking

Urgent talks are to be held between traders and West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime over concerns that the issue is damaging local businesses.

Wakefield Council Leader Denise Jeffery revealed today (September 27) how she had also felt frightened during a visit to Castleford earlier this year.

Coun Jeffery called for greater police involvement to stamp out the problem and help residents feel safer.

The Council Leader was asked about the problem of anti-social behaviour in Castleford by a member of the public during a Facebook Live question and answer session.

She said: “The council doesn’t control the police. I wish we did in some ways so we could direct operations where they are needed.

“What concerns me is that there is so much investment coming into Castleford.

“The Picture House in Castleford is going to be turned into luxury apartments.

“But yet we have drug taking across the road from there.

“I worry that if we don’t sort this out, people won’t want to come and live in these apartments.

“So we have to tackle it, and we have to tackle it together.

“Please be assured we are dealing with it and pulling together to try to resolve this.”

Coun Jeffery said the problem was brought to her attention in April when she witnessed anti-social behaviour first hand.

She said traders have rallied since then by setting up a shop watch scheme.

Street marshals have also been deployed in the town centre in an effort to make shoppers feel safer.

Coun Jeffery added: “It has been at the forefront of mind all year.

“Things have got worse in Castleford.

“I experienced a very bad situation myself on a Friday afternoon in April.

“We put street marshals in straight away because people were concerned about drug taking and anti-social behaviour.

“Traders were very concerned about loss of business because people were too frightened to come into Castleford.

“That afternoon I felt very unsafe myself.

“We can’t do it on our own. We have to have help.”

Around 40 traders are to meet with Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, at the Glasshoughton Centre this Monday (October 3) to raise their concerns.

Coun Jeffery also said that the Marks & Spencer store in Castleford had been targeted by criminals in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

She explained: “The police were there very quickly and by lunchtime the shop was up and running again.

“We are starting on Monday with the Crime Commissioner coming so we can tell her, and the businesses can tell her, first hand about how it happened.

“We are also looking at legislation.

“There is a building in Castleford – I won’t single them out – where drug taking seems to be allegedly rife, and that is going to be tackled as well.

“We really do need help from the police.

“Communities are fighting back but we all need to pull together on this.”

Earlier this year, traders told the Express that were losing trade due to the number of street drinkers intimidating customers.Phil Dobson of Four Seasons Pet Supplies has had a stall on Castleford market for almost 30 years and said his takings had been down in recent months.

He added: “On a daily basis we have trouble in the town due to excessive drinking.

“A group of men and women sit on the benches outside from early afternoon drinking, swearing and fighting among themselves.

“The majority of the trouble tends to build up about 2.30pm when the police are on a shift change. The drinkers know this so that’s when they start congregating. It’s putting people off from shopping.”