By VoA Newsdesk –

Unity Shape Up initiative hailed as a success after six months, with 77 arrests, drug seizures and major clean-ups transforming the Huddersfield community

A major police operation targeting organised crime and anti-social behaviour in Huddersfield has led to a dramatic fall in crime, and police say there’s more to come.

The Unity Shape Up initiative, launched in the Ashbrow area by Kirklees District Police in September 2024, has already slashed the crime severity score by 46 per cent in just six months.

The success comes as part of a national framework known as Clear, Hold, Build, which aims to reclaim neighbourhoods from the grip of serious and organised crime.

Significant Results in First Phase

Since the start of the enforcement phase, dubbed ‘Clear’, officers have:

• Made 77 arrests

• Executed 13 warrants

• Seized approximately £165,000 worth of Class A and B drugs

They have also seized 48 vehicles for a range of offences and carried out multiple clean-up operations in key areas such as Ruskin Grove, Sheepridge Road, and Alder Street, including the removal of three vanloads of rubbish.

Community Celebration Marks Progress

To mark the halfway point, partners came together last week at the newly refurbished Top Club in Deighton to celebrate the progress made since the public launch of Unity Shape Up.

The event brought together organisations including Change Grow Live, Locala, Kirklees Council, HM Probation Service, Kirklees Local TV, and Police Crime Reduction Officers, who were on hand to offer advice and services to residents.

Targeted Operations and Partner Support

The six-month period saw a string of targeted operations:

• Two days of action in November led to 11 arrests, including five for drug dealing, and the seizure of Class A drugs.

• An operation in January disrupted criminal activity by seizing £35,000 worth of illicit tobacco and vapes in partnership with West Yorkshire Trading Standards.

• Officers also carried out monitoring visits to known offenders in the area to disrupt potential criminal behaviour.

Ongoing work has included outreach on drug and alcohol misuse, housing visits, and the rejuvenation of three local pocket parks.

“Real Impact” on Organised Crime

Inspector Amanda Holroyd of Kirklees District Police said: “Clear Hold Build is based on the principle of clearing a community of criminal activity before then building on those gains, so we are very pleased to see the results of Unity Shape Up so far.

“Class A and B drugs worth over £165,000 have been taken off the streets of Ashbrow in multiple operations since September last year with 77 arrests made so far.

“A number of criminal investigations remain ongoing to date, and we are confident the action taken will have had a real impact on organised criminality as our crime severity scores suggest.”

Community at the Heart of the Initiative

The Unity Shape Up initiative began in 2024 with local children from North Huddersfield Trust School helping to name the project. Since then, police and council teams have been consulting with residents about the changes they want to see in their neighbourhoods.

Chief Inspector Rebecca Calpin, Neighbourhood Policing Lead for Kirklees Police, added: “I want to thank all the partners who have worked with us as part of Unity Shape Up.

“The support we have had was demonstrated by the fantastic attendance at May’s six-month celebration event at the Top Club.

“Unity Shape Up can only succeed of course with the support of communities, and it has been clear residents really want this initiative to work.

“We look forward to moving on with partners to the hold and build phases of Unity Shape Up to deliver long-term change in the months ahead.”

With its early success, Unity Shape Up is now entering the next phase, aiming to hold the gains made and build a stronger, safer community in Ashbrow for the future.