Harehills ❤️ Love

During the pandemic, and especially towards the end of 2022, and into 2023, a lot of troubling news came up about police conduct, from the Met in London, to local police forces across the country. For many years, people from minority communities, especially those from BAME communities, have reported of the inequity of community policing.

This isn’t an easy subject for me to cover, I’m a middle aged white man, and my experience of the police is inherently skewed. I have never been stop and searched. Nearly all my interactions with the police have been as a result of phoning in trouble, or attending community meetings. Other people’s experiences are very different.

How is this good news?

Well the good news is people from our community and from other areas around, along with organisers Chijioke Ojukwu, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds Church Institute (LCI) and the David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA), representatives from the police, including Steve Dobbs Chief Super Intendant for West Yorkshire Police, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Alison Lowe.

Truth, trust, music, food, and culture were the order of the day, we collectively delved into the complexities of public policy and policing.

As mentioned the event was held in the Compton Centre, was wonderfully well attended.

After talks, and conversation with speakers up front, challenging questions from people on the stage and in the audience, there were breakouts to talk about various aspects of community policy, policing and safety.

• Some of the subjects covered by the breakout were:
• Dealing with Trust and Authority
• Care, Community Rights and Responsibility
• The Use of Force and Public Safety
• Fear and Perception of the Inner City

West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor Alison Lowe is quoted as saying, in response to challenges about trust in the police:

“West Yorkshire police needs to understand the needs of Harehills, the needs of all the different people. Harehills is multicultural, beautiful and diverse. However, it is not just about Harehills. It’s about all of us being able to trust policing. I believe in a system where working together works for everyone. Let’s put that mirror up and use the processes that are in place.”

West Yorkshire Deputy for Policing and Crime Mayor Alison Lowe, January 2023

I believe those in authority heard us, though there will always be more to do. I’m hugely enthusiastic for people from our community to stand up and speak, whenever there is the opportunity for people that can make a difference to listen, which is why this amazing events was one of my highlights of the year.