Woman ‘harassed and abused’ by youths at Calderdale market site

The resident, who did not wish to be named, says incidents began when Hebden Bridge’s market was relocated in 2017 to Old Lees Yard but problems have been exacerbated by stalls being permanently erected because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This has had made the market a magnet for young people gathering because they can shelter there and led to incidents of drinking, drug dealing with paraphernalia being left behind, and anti-social behaviour which has included urinating on her door.

When she has confronted them, she has received homophobic abuse and harrassment, she said.

“I have been asking them to put safety gates up. The problem is getting worse.

“It’s a constant thing. The slightest noise and I am looking out of the window,” she said.

The stress badly impacts on her mental health and has forced her to live away from her flat at times as a result, with the police aware of safeguarding issues.

The woman said she often has to call police numerous times before they attend

“The police move them on but they don’t arrest them – after the police move them on, they just come back,” she said.

Both the council and West Yorkshire Police said action was being taken.

Coun Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategy, said the council took all complaints and reports of anti-social behaviour very seriously.

“We are thoroughly looking into the resident’s concerns about issues at Hebden Bridge Market, in partnership with the police.

“We remain in contact with the resident and have offered our support.

“We have placed barriers around the market to prevent access outside opening hours, and our community safety wardens are regularly patrolling the area.

“It is necessary to leave the market stalls up at all times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The stalls are heavy and need several staff to put them up and take them down, which would be unsafe at the moment as it wouldn’t be possible for them to stay two metres apart whilst doing so,” she said.

Inspector Ben Doughty from the Calderdale Valleys Neighbourhood Policing Team, said the police were aware that the complainant has ongoing concerns about issues at the Hebden Bridge Market site.

“We are working closely with the individual and our partners at Calderdale Council to find a lasting solution.

“Officers are paying regular attention to the site in question to engage with people congregating at the site and enforcing the law where necessary.

“We are also investigating allegations of hate crimes having been committed and are working closely with the victim to offer safeguarding assistance.

“All reports of a hate crime are investigated by the NPT,” he said.