Outraged Leeds residents have hit back after their neighbourhood was branded “scary” and plagued with drug wars and knife crime.
Their undying sentiment is that Armley folk are “beautiful salt of the earth” people, who will move mountains to give each other a helping hand. The crime rates are undeniable – but crime happens everywhere, “it’s a national issue!” was the empathic response.
Armley and New Wortley was the Leeds suburb (or district) with the highest crime rates in 2022, outside of the city centre, with a crime count of 2,722, meaning 309 crimes per 1,000 people, according to Crimerate.co.uk.
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In response, a portion of Armley residents said they “stay up at night worrying” about gang-related violence, their heart-wrenching accounts created a harrowing and bleak image of the West Leeds district. But members of the community have since reached out, stating that this doesn’t paint the whole picture – demanding to be heard above the gloom-ridden sirens of iniquity.
Léon Awane, who runs Léon’s Café in Town Street, was thunderous in his support for Armley, feeling his neighbourhood had been disproportionately maligned.
The 59-year-old, who’s originally from Algeria, said: “The Armley people are the salt of the earth, absolutely! All of them, they are very sociable families and family orientated.
“It’s not Armley people that do the crime. It’s the people who come here. They are not from here.
“Armley is Armley. Crime can happen anywhere else. It’s the people who come here and make a bad reputation. Armley is full of beautiful people.”
His café was once burgled in the middle of the night. Fortunately, nothing of value was taken but the thieves caused a fair amount of criminal damage. Léon was overwhelmed by the support of the community, who came together to raise more than £1,200 to help him. He spoke of how he swells up with “pride” when he thinks about being a part of the Armley community.
'You get crime everywhere'
Londoner Philip Cave, 58, is another who was welcomed to community with open arms and a hearty embrace. He’s become heavily involved in the upkeep of the community since moving to Armley five years ago. The web designer currently sits as Chair of Trustees of the Armley Common Right Trust.
Philip, who’s fiery in his passion about Armley’s open spaces, said: “You get crime everywhere and if you choose to concentrate on problems, then you’re going to see problems. But if you choose to concentrate on all the good stuff that’s happening then that’s what balances out Armley.
“The fact people are working really hard to make something good of a tough area. I don’t think you’re ever going to get an area which is free from problems.
“I don’t think there is a youth problem in Armley. I don’t think there is a problem with guns, drugs or knives, or whatever. I think there are problems everywhere and they’re happening here too.”
Phil was eager to mention that he’ll be giving away 250 plant hanging baskets to residents in a bid to brighten up the neighbourhood. “I'm going to beat you to death if you don't mention it,” he jokes if we don’t publicise the fact the handout event will be held at Moor Top/Little Moor on June 3, from 10am, exemplifying the dark but well-meaning sense of humour rushing through the veins of this animated community.
'Tight-knit family'
Armley has a number of community groups and projects underway supporting the community (which we’ve listed below). A well-known figure is the one and only former-councillor Lou Cunningham, who works as a- nurse and spends her free time as an activist for the community, involved with numerous projects.
She “loves” the sense of community, and the fact the high street in Armley has retained a host of traditional shops, like a bank, post office, baker, butchers and a library – which also offers a helping hand to the community, she’s keen to add.
Lou, who’s lived in Leeds since the 1980s after moving from Doncaster, said: “I love Armley. It’s the best place I’ve ever lived and it’s my community and my family.
“There are challenges in our community but that doesn’t mean to say that’s at the forefront of our community – because it absolutely isn’t. Armley is like a family, you can slag off members of your own family but no one else comes in and does it without knowing your family. That’s how I genuinely feel about it. Some people have never been but somehow know what it’s like.
“We live here. I’m in Armley everyday and I love it, warts and all. Where is perfect? “
Her rhetorical statement offers us a moment of reflection, which neighbourhoods, however virtuous are free of crime and anti-social behaviour? And if so, do they also display the camaraderie and “genuine warmth” echoed in the testimonials of Léon, Phil and Lou?
'People's fears are valid'
People’s fears in the area are “valid” and “need to be taken seriously,” assures Fran Graham, an interim project manager on Armley Action Team. But she added: “There’s problems and there’s also an amazing community spirit, guts and determination here to try and work together and make life better for everybody.”
Armley boast a wealth of local organisations and initiatives designed to raise up the community, these include: Bundles, Armley Action Team, Armley Helping Hands, The Common Right Trust, Keep Armley Tidy, Armley In Bloom, The Armley Festival, community litter picks, Friends of Armley Parks and New Wortley Community Centre.
What are your thoughts on Armley? Be sure to comment below.
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