A Leeds shopkeeper has spoken out about the “havoc” thugs cause near his shop, fighting, punching cars and dealing drugs.
Harehills Lane has recently had heightened anti-social behaviour laws extended to deal with gangs of street drinkers making trouble.
Street drinkers face up to six months of prison time if they breach the order. This was put in place in December and has this month been extended by a further three months.
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Saad Siddique, 30, who works at his brother’s shop Mobile Shop, has said he does not feel safe "at all" with all the anti-social behaviour occurring.
The father-of-four, who also works as a software engineer for Leeds City Council, worries the unpredictable thugs will pay a visit into his shop.
Saad said: “People at a young age especially cause problems, dealing drugs. Then people between 20 and 30, they cause havoc all the time. Next to the traffic lights, drinking, they’ll start fighting and that’s normal for them.
“A few days ago, there was a big fight and they started punching the cars.
“It makes you think twice, like what’s going to happen next - are they going to come into my shop?
“It does not make me feel safe at all. I would not let my kids near here, no way. Back in the day, four or five years ago, it was quite peaceful but not now.”
The drinking ban is called a Partial Premises Closure Order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The ban prohibits anyone carrying an open container of alcohol, unless it’s in a licensed or residential premises. It covers Harehills Lane and the immediate surrounding area.
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This order is stronger than the already enforced Public Spaces Protection Order which only fines those for anti-social drinking.
First time offenders are given a warning but repeat offenders can face prosecution and jail time.
It has been in force since December 2021 and was extended a further three months at the beginning of March.
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