Halton Moor

Halton Moor is a district of east Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The area is three miles to the east of Leeds City Centre, and is close to the A63 dual carriageway. It is situated between Killingbeck to the north, Temple Newsam to the south, East End Park to the west and Halton and Colton to the east. It is also close to Whitkirk. The area is mainly a council housing estate with approximately 1000 homes, made up of mainly semi-detached houses, with some detached houses, some terraced houses and some high rise blocks.

Throughout the city the area does not have a good reputation and the authorities and local people have found it hard to shake off. The estate suffers serious problems of crime and anti-social behaviour, and has long been considered one of the city's worst estates. In an attempt to combat crime, 40 CCTV cameras have been installed on the relitively compact estate.

Media Perception

CCTV Cities

Halton Moor was recently the focus of television series "CCTV Cities" in which journalist Donal MacIntyre focused on crime and delinquency in the area. The programme showed arson on Bonfire Night (during which police were attacked with fireworks), car theft, joyriding. When the police attempted to sieze a stolen vehicle, they were forced to retreet when missiles were thrown at them, the car was regained by the criminals and later found abandoned after being used in a ram raid robbery. [http://demand.five.tv/Episode.aspx?episodeBaseName=C5137270001] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/31/channelfive.television?gusrc=rss&feed=media]

Yorkshire Evening Post

On 10 September 2008, the "Yorkshire Evening Post" reported that Leeds City Council spent £119,000 each year on employing security guards to patrol the car parks at East Leeds Leisure Centre, to prevent car thefts and vandalism. This has led Leeds City Council to consider moving the facilities to York Road. A Wetherby councillor highlighted other troubled centres cost between £25,000 and £30,000 each year to patrol. [http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-leisure--centre-security.4473904.jp] It was suggested that centres where this issue is not a problem suffered because of this and the YEP stated that Bramley Baths, Aireborough (Guiseley), Pudsey, Scott Hall, Kirkstall, Rothwell and Wetherby leisure centres could all be improved if centres like Halton Moor and Middleton were closed.

Look North

On 25 September 2008, Look North (the local BBC news programme) reported on police raids on the estate that had took place throughout the day during which the cultivation of canabis was discovered in a private residence, a fire arm was found in another private residence and several thousand pounds in laudered cash was recovered. Several residents were arrested during the days raids. However the programme reported on the estate positivley, implying that improvements had been made, stating it was 'ONCE one of Leeds' most deprived estates'. The footage showed boarded up houses on the estate as well as BBC library footage of the estate during the 1980s showing the aftermath of disturbances and burnt out cars. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7636621.stm]

You Tube

Internet site You Tube has had an enormous amount of footage from the estate, showing crimes taking place, including joyriding and arson. [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CAYHqHYIJ34]

Comparison

Halton Moor lies in the LS15 postcode area. Here is a population breakdown of the postcode area in comparison with the UK population.

Location Grid

References