The new Autumn leaflets for City of York Council’s guided walks, part of the i-Travel programme, are now available to view online or from pick-up points around the city.

Volunteer led walks will take place across York on a regular basis, with walks ranging from 30 minutes to two hours offering up a suitable walk for everyone.

Tasters in Nordic Walking – which uses special poles to enhance walking style, with an upper body technique similar to that of cross country ski-ing – courses and groups are also available. Details can be found in the led walks information leaflets from local libraries, leisure centres, doctor’s surgeries and the Visit York office on the corner of Lendal and Blake Street.

More details about the walks and rides can be found by contacting Sarah Prescott by email on sarah.prescott@york.gov.uk by phone on 01904 553377 or by going to www.york.gov.uk/healthwalks

North Yorkshire Police is urging residents to be vigilant and follow basic home security advice after a series of burglary incidents in the York and Selby areas in recent days.

Homes have been targeted while people are away on holiday, property has been stolen while the owners were at home but have left doors insecure, and an elderly man was targeted by suspected offenders who tricked their way into his house.

As part of Operation Haven, the force’s ongoing burglary reduction campaign which has seen an 18% drop in houses being targeted between April and September 2012 (168 fewer crimes – from 937 incidents in the same period in 2011 to 769 in 2012), police are emphasising the importance for residents to play their part by taking extra measures to secure their homes.

In York, officers are urging residents to lock-up after three burglaries in the city in the past two days.

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City of York Council has teamed up with York St John University and Sport England to offer young people across the city new, subsidised football sessions this autumn.

This new programme will kick off on Thursday 18 October at York St John’s all-weather pitch in Heworth, from 6-7pm. Aimed at young people aged 14 – 25 years old, it includes both boys and girls of all abilities and costs just 30p per session. Run by City of York Council, volunteer coaches are a much-valued part of the sessions.

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Witness appeal following collision near York

Police are appealing for a vital witness to come forward following a road traffic collision near Whixley, York.

It occurred at approximately 6pm on Saturday 6 October 2012, on the B6265 just north of the junction with Station Lane. The collision involved a green Audi TT and a blue Renault Clio, which were both travelling towards Boroughbridge at the time.

As a result of the incident the Clio left the road and ended up in a field upside down. The 38-year-old woman driving the car and a 47-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl who were passengers in the Clio were taken to hospital, where they were treated before being released.

The 21-year-old man driving the Audi was not injured.

Traffic Constable Steve James, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “I am asking anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward and contact the police as soon as possible.
“I am particularly keen to speak with the driver of a small car, believed to be a Honda Jazz which was in the area at the time of the collision.”

Anyone who can help with this enquiry is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, press option 2 and ask for Steve James. Alternatively information can be emailed to steve.james@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk quoting reference number 12120168392.

Police looking for wanted woman

Samantha Barr

York police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a wanted woman.

Samantha Barr, aged 40, who is from the Tang Hall area of the city, is wanted after failing to attend York Crown Court in May after breaching a suspended sentence order.
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North Yorkshire police have issued the following advice

Police in North Yorkshire are supporting National Personal Safety Day 2012 by circulating advice from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s Tech No Chances campaign which offers everybody valuable advice on how to ensure that their technology works to improve their safety not put them at greater risk.

To support the campaign, get involved and receive and share the advice by following the Suzy Lamplugh Trust @live_life_safe or North Yorkshire Police @NYorksPolice on Twittter and retweet to your followers or search for #TechNoChances.

Technology is a wonderful thing that few of us could see ourselves doing without, and when it comes to personal safety, it can be of great benefit. However there can be risks associated with some technology so it pays to take a few simple precautions to ensure that yours works for you, not against you.

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