Ash Razzaq, (CATCH’s co-founder) at the time worked for the Gipton & Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team. On one of his foot patrols he came across some wasteland in Harehills next to Hovingham Primary School and Hovingham Park. Over the years this land had been neglected, attracted crime, anti-social behaviour, environmental issues including drug use and fly-tipping.
Ash kick started conversations about the land and campaigned for its development, this led to several community clean-ups taking place over a two year period. Ash galvanised support from his policing colleagues, the fire service, local schools, members of the community, young people and businesses. It soon became apparent at the scale of fly-tipping and drug use which had taken place due to all the discarded items left under the overgrown vegetation.
Watch the development of the land in its early stages by clicking the play button above.