An abandoned building in Harehills has been transformed into a new community hub thanks to money seized from criminals.
The Fusion 8 Community Hub, on Bexley Road, will act as a safe space for residents to meet local police officers while also offering practical support, including a food and hygiene bank and a school uniform exchange.
The project has been funded largely through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), which redistributes cash taken from criminals to fund community initiatives.
Developed in partnership with Places for People (PfP), one of the UK’s leading social enterprises, the
It will open three days a week for two-hour sessions.
The centre celebrates the area’s diversity, with a world map decorating the interior wall and a new garden planted with flora from across the globe.
Inspector Richard Neeves, from East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“Since March 2023 we have disrupted organised criminality in Harehills, taking millions of pounds worth of drugs off the streets. This hub creates a space for people to talk to officers and get practical support, helping us build stronger ties with the community.”
The project forms part of the national ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ strategy, which sees police clear serious organised crime groups from an area, stabilise it, then focus on building long-term improvements with local people. Harehills is now entering the “Build” phase.
Councillor Salma Arif, Chair of the CommUnity Harehills Partnership, welcomed the hub:
“This is what Clear Hold Build is all about – tangible results. Local residents now have access three days a week to police support, a foodbank and uniform exchange. It’s real partnership in the making.”
Judy Hardy, Chief Risk Officer and Market President for West Yorkshire at PfP, added:
“This hub is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, public services, and partners come together. Fusion 8 reflects our mission to empower people and create thriving communities.”
With its doors now open, Fusion 8 is set to become a focal point for Harehills – a symbol of positive change built from the very money once linked to crime.
