We would like to update residents, businesses and the wider community of Wetherby in relation to the two people who have been encamped in the picnic area of the Wilderness car park, Wetherby for the last few months. The two people are no longer encamped there.

We are aware that information was circulated on social media earlier this month that both the male and female had pleaded guilty to “Individual fail to comply with a community protection notice” and that both were to pay a fine and both were excluded from the Wetherby area for 12 months. Whilst this information did originate from the police, there was a slight error in its content and it had been circulated via social media prior to this error being able to be corrected.

It is the case that both have pleaded guilty to the offence. One has been excluded from the Wetherby area for a period of 12 months and the other has been excluded from the same area, at this time, until January 2025. These are court orders issued by Leeds Magistrates on 5th and 11th November. There is a further court date in January 2025 after which we will update you further. Wetherby NPT are continuing to work to get a more permanent solution to this issue that we do appreciate has caused tremendous distress for residents and businesses of Wetherby. 

We would like to thank those specific residents and businesses who have assisted us enormously in obtaining these court results but ask that people remain vigilant and continue to make reports to the police of allegations of criminal offences or serious anti-social behaviour. We have only been able to take the action we have on this occasion as a result of incidents being reported to us directly, NOT on social media chat groups. Whilst we may not necessarily be able to take action, we need it reported to do something about it.

Wetherby NPT