Tackling the impact of the Otley Run: What we're doing together

Following the recent public meeting in Headingley, we want to update residents on what has already been achieved and what we are doing next to reduce the impact of the Otley Run on our communities.

We know this issue causes real disruption. There is no quick fix, but we are making progress and we are not slowing down.

Central to all of this work going forward is the new Otley Run Problem Solving Group which brings together police, council officers, councillors, MP, other experts, and community reps. This group will last for three years, providing long term focus on specific issues.

We held the first of these meetings on Wednesday 14th May.

What We’ve Already Achieved

1. Increased police presence and a Zero Tolerance approach

There are now 4 to 6 dedicated police officers patrolling the Otley Run every Saturday afternoon, unless they are called away to an emergency. This visible presence has had some impact on the worst behaviour.

We have also:

• Introduced a zero tolerance approach. If you break the rules under the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), you will be fined

• As councillors we're funding extra police patrols over the summer

• Organised joint action days with police, licensing, and the anti-social behaviour team, including:

  • Surprise pub inspections

  • Taxi licence checks

  • High-visibility patrols on days like bank holiday weekends

2. New Public Space Protection Order with real enforcement

We rewrote the PSPO to include fines for:

• Public urination

• Blocking pavements

• Harassment and intimidation

• Other anti-social behaviour on the street

  
  

Police are now actively using these powers on the Otley Run. For the first time, there is real enforcement, not just encouragement or warnings.

We know it can be frustrating to report things. Often, by the time police or council staff arrive, the situation has moved on. But reporting is still essential.

The truth is, very few people report what they see, and that makes it harder for us to justify stronger enforcement, more staffing, or licence reviews. Even if it feels like nothing will happen immediately, your reports build the case for action.

How to report:

• Call 101 or use the West Yorkshire Police online reporting tool for ease

• For street issues like litter use the council website or email us

Every report matters. It helps build the pressure for change.

3. Dedicated Otley Run Problem Solving Group

We set up a regular working group of council officers and police to focus specifically on the Otley Run. A few years ago, this was not being treated as a serious issue. Now it is a key priority for both the council and the police.

4. Stopping expansion through Licensing powers

We expanded the Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) to cover the entire Otley Run, including the first three pubs in Weetwood. This means we can:

• Refuse new licence applications

• Apply strict conditions to changes requested by venues

• Help prevent the route from growing even further

5. Better Door Staff at many venues

Thanks to pressure and engagement, most venues have improved how they manage their doors. Door staff are now better trained and entry is more carefully managed. There is still more to do, but it is a step forward.

What We’re Doing Next

6. Listening to you and pushing for new powers

The government is considering allowing councils to request new powers through a formal process under its devolution plans. We want to be ready with a strong, community-backed case.

This could include:

• A daytime levy on bars and pubs to help pay for street cleaning, enforcement and public safety

• More flexibility to regulate local venues

• Stronger enforcement options for premises that cause repeated problems

We want your ideas and will be going out with a survey on this shortly. In the meantime, remember to sign our petition to increase fines from £100 to £500.

7. Tackling misogyny

We are launching new work to challenge the misogynistic behaviour that often appears on and around the Otley Run. This includes:

• Supporting and training local men to speak out when they see harmful behaviour

• Creating opportunities for men to reflect on attitudes and take part in positive change

• Working with venues to do more to prevent and challenge unacceptable conduct

8. Continued Engagement with Pubs and Bars

We are planning a new round of engagement with Otley Run venues to raise expectations and agree clear actions. This includes:

• Building on previous improvements in door supervision and queue management

• Asking venues to take more responsibility for behaviour inside and outside their premises

• Encouraging participation in wider community safety and training initiatives

We know some venues are trying to do the right thing, and we want to support those efforts.

9. Taking action on problem premises

We are exploring licence reviews for certain venues where serious or repeated concerns have been raised. This is a formal process and must be based on evidence. We will continue working with police and council officers to monitor behaviour and take action where needed.

10. Exploring a Business Improvement District (BID)

We are looking at whether a BID covering the Otley Run could help bring in additional funding and coordination. This could:

• Support more local services like street cleaning and wardens

• Encourage more responsible business practices

• Give residents and the council a stronger voice in how the area is run

And a quick note on Prevent

Some residents asked about Prevent, the national programme aimed at tackling radicalisation. While not directly related to the Otley Run, we continue to support training and awareness in local services and schools.

Final word

We’ve made real progress and we are committed to doing much more. Your Labour councillors and local MP all live in the area. We see and experience these issues too. That is why we are absolutely committed to tackling them for the long term.

We work hard on this every week and we hope this briefing shows the progress that is being made.

Want to share an idea or get involved? Please contact us.