Police step up appeal following four robberies in York

Detectives investigating a hand-bag robbery in York on Thursday (15 December 2011) have stepped up their appeal for information after receiving three more reports of robberies in the city.

At around 6.15pm on Friday 16 December, a 40-year-old man was threatened by a man with a baseball bat at the allotments on Fulford Road in York. He also threatened the man with a knife although he did not produce one. He stole the victim’s wallet.

Between 7.30 and 8.30pm on Friday 16 December, a 15-year-old boy was walking along the side of the River Ouse with a friend when he was approached by a man on a bike. The victim had just walked under Scarborough Bridge when the attacker shouted at him. He then threatened the boy with a knife and stole his wallet and mobile phone. The suspect is described as white, with short blonde hair and was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and was riding a BMX type bike.

At around 11.pm, the same evening, a 24-year-old man was walking along York Road in Acomb and was passing the Blockbusters store when he was threatened by a man who claimed to have a knife. The victim ran off and nothing was stolen. The suspect in this incident is described as having blonde hair, aged in his early twenties and was wearing a black t-shirt with blue writing.

In the previous incident on Thursday 15 December, a 52-year-old woman had her handbag stolen by a man riding a bike on the railway footbridge between Leeman Road and Wilton Rise.

Detective Inspector Ian Dyer of York CID, said: “There are similarities in all of the incidents. However, a baseball bat was seen in just the one incident at Fulford Road allotments.

“We need to catch whoever is responsible for these robberies, they are frightening and cause great distress to the victims.

“Detectives are examining CCTV to try and trace the offender’s movements and identify him. But we also need the public’s help.

“If anyone saw a man matching the suspects description or knows who the offender may be, I urge you to contact us urgently.”

“If members of the public find any discarded wallets or handbags, please call the police straight away.

“Please help us to catch whoever is responsible before they strike again.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for York CID.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Acomb Green planning application misses deadline.

Acomb Green development site

The planning application – to demolish a bungalow and garage at 42A The Green and replace it with 3 x 3 bedroomed houses and a block containing 3 x 1 bedroomed and 3 x 2 bedroomed flats, with 15 car parking spaces (currently 5 spaces exist) – has missed the 16th December deadline for determination.

This means that the Council will be under pressure to make a decision asap in the new year. The next West Area planning committee is scheduled to take place on 12th January.

There have been 2 objections to the development both listing traffic and parking concerns.

Details of this and other planning applications can be viewed on the Councils “web portal”. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications

Recent applications in the Westfield Ward include:

• 42A The Green Acomb York YO26 5LR Demolition of bungalow and garages Ref. No: 11/02713/CAC | Received: Fri 07 Oct 2011 | Validated: Fri 21 Oct 2011 | Status: Pending Consideration

• 169 Askham Lane York YO24 3JA Fell Chestnut (T1) Tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No 60 Ref. No: 11/03080/TPO | Received: Mon 21 Nov 2011 | Validated: Mon 21 Nov 2011 | Status: Pending Consideration

• Quicksilver 7 Acomb Court Front Street York YO24 3BJ Change of use from gaming centre (sui generis) to Licensed Betting office (use class A2) Ref. No: 11/03076/FUL | Received: Tue 15 Nov 2011 | Validated: Wed 16 Nov 2011 | Status: Pending Consideration

• 40 St Stephens Square York YO24 3EJ Formation of off street parking area on land used for recreational purpose (resubmission) Ref. No: 11/02895/FUL | Received: Tue 25 Oct 2011 | Validated: Wed 26 Oct 2011 | Status: Pending Consideration (due for determination next week)

• Lidl Foodstore Thanet Road York YO24 4PE Display of non-illuminated free standing sign Ref. No: 11/02768/ADV | Received: Wed 12 Oct 2011 | Validated: Thu 13 Oct 2011 | Status: Application Refused

• 10 Invicta Court York YO24 3NN Conservatory to rear Ref. No: 11/02728/FUL | Received: Tue 11 Oct 2011 | Validated: Tue 25 Oct 2011 | Status: Householder Approval

Criminals’ cash given away as this year’s Why should they? campaign winners are announced

2 City of York charities and groups are celebrating this week after they were chosen to receive an award from a pot of criminals’ cash.

The money has been seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) by North Yorkshire Police’s Financial Investigation Unit.

Head of the unit, Detective Inspector Ian Wills, said: “Once again, we are extremely impressed at the extent of the fantastic work going on in our communities to improve life for local people.

Last year, the Financial Investigation Unit took £1.3m off North Yorkshire criminals. A percentage of this is given back to the force, which enables North Yorkshire Police to fund the Why should they? campaign.

Members of the public can help the campaign by reporting anyone they suspect of living off illegal earnings. Either call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or you can pass information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and could qualify for a cash reward.

The winning organisations in York for 2011 are:

1. Joseph Trust Wood and Craft Workshop, York – £2,000

The Joseph Trust Wood and Craft Workshop have been awarded £2,000 to upgrade their woodwork shop. The charity, which is based in the village of Melbourne near York, provides training and support for disadvantaged young people.

The trust was established in 2005 after one of the founders, Joyce Dean, began fostering troubled 16-year-olds. She discovered that once they left her home at 8am, they had nothing to do and were left to their own devices until they returned home at 6pm.

The main aim of the project is to provide important life, work and social skills for young people who may find themselves in difficult circumstances. The charity also offers training towards NVQ qualifications.

Previous projects include working with young people from Future Prospects, York, and Leeds Youth Offending Teams, as well as a group of young people with learning difficulties from York. as it was at 2006

The project is currently working with the City of York Council’s Danesgate Student Support Unit in York which provides education for children permanently excluded from school, or unable to attend school. Some students from Fulford School are also benefiting from the trust.

Although a York-based charity, they were unable to find suitable premises for their work in the city.

Approximately four years ago they were offered five acres of land, on which they have built a craft and wood working workshop along with two poly tunnels, a stock of fowl and land for growing crops.

The trust is supported by the Home Office Youth Justice Board, Wetherby Young Offenders Institute and the Learning Skills Council.

The money will be put towards work benches, rewiring, dust extraction and ventilation units and tools.

2. Space 109 Homework and Cooking Club – Walmgate, York – £2,000

Space 109 was founded by a local, single mum to provide activities for residents of all ages in the Walmgate area of York. From toddler groups to music and craft groups, most of the activities are organised by 100 volunteers.

This invaluable community arts centre will receive £2,000 to help towards the expansion of their Homework and Cooking Club which is free to all children aged 8 to 16 in the local area.

A recent survey of community needs identified a demand for projects for young people which would help to steer them away from anti-social behaviour and any temptation to deviate into criminality. 92% of local residents said they would use the facilities, 98% believe young people should have somewhere to go and 88% believe more facilities are needed to keep anti-social behaviour and crime at bay.

By providing a positive and creative outlet, the club gives young people an opportunity to learn valuable life and social skills.

The homework club also means that children keep up with their school work, giving them a sense of achievement and reinforces the importance of doing well at school. The club also fosters skills in team working, self esteem, community pride and healthy eating with the youngsters obtaining a qualification in basic food hygiene.

The volunteers who work at the centre also benefit by developing their skills, leading to improved employment prospects.