A statement from the local Party on the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections says,

Liberal Democrats have long supported the need for greater transparency and accountability within the police. We believe that policing should have the support of the entire community and be responsive to the communities’ priorities and concerns.

While we believe that the Police Authority membership could have been subject to refinement, we also believe that the PCC elections are an unnecessary diversion for a service that has been generally successful in promoting safe and secure neighbourhoods.

King Lear a production by The Royal Shakespeare Company at York High School on Cornlands Road

Evening performances are open to all and will take place on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st of November, doors open at 6.45pm and the play starts at 7.30pm. There will be a licensed bar and an interval, after which there will be an opportunity for Q&A and also to meet the cast.

In this new edited version, King Lear is brought vibrantly to life. Stripped down to 75 minutes, the production is a thrilling introduction to one of the greatest plays ever written. These performances are an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with the actors, away from the traditional theatre setting.

£7 Adults, £3 Concession. Tickets are available by contacting York Theatre Royal Box Office on 01904 623568.

TWO hundred of York’s young music pupils will get the chance to hear the masters at York Guildhall Orchestra’s York 800 concert at the Barbican this Saturday 20 October – free of charge!

York Guildhall Orchestra had donated 200 tickets to City of York Council for the special York 800 event which will feature a specially composed piece entitled ‘Fanfare For York’ by local composer Dick Blackford.

The 200 tickets are being offered to young people taking music and performing arts sessions with the authority. Classical orchestral concerts can be expensive and inaccessible to young people and it is hoped the free tickets will encourage a new generation of classical music enthusiasts in the city and help them towards attaining their Arts Awards.

The Orchestra has a long association with the city and the concert on Saturday will celebrate its connections with music, composers and performers all based in the York area. More information is available at www.yorkguildhallorchestra.com

One of the largest single investments in York’s transport infrastructure has taken a major step forward this week, and for the first time in the UK residents are invited to join archaeologists to unearth any secrets that one of the sites may hold.

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A selected list of contractors have been asked to provide their best value offer to construct the £21.9m Access York (Phase 1) scheme which will help deliver the enhanced Park & Ride service for the city.

Following receipt of the tenders in December and an evaluation by the council final approval for the scheme will be sought from the Department of Transport (DfT) in early 2013. The new sites should be open by April 2014.

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Latest government figures show that crime in North Yorkshire and the City of York has been reduced by 10% – with 4,334 fewer victims – in the past year.

Public confidence in North Yorkshire Police and local authorities’ ability to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour has also risen markedly.

Released today (Thursday 18 October 2012) by the Office of National Statistics, the Crime Statistics in England and Wales for the 12 month period up to June 2012, outline the following results for the North Yorkshire Police area:

•Overall crime reduced by 10% with a total of 37,287 crimes – this equates to 4,334 fewer victims of crime in comparison to the same period last year.

•Violence against the person reduced by 12% – total 7,042 – 945 fewer victims

•Sexual offences reduced by 12% – total 529 – 53 fewer victims

•Robbery reduced by 27% – total 152 – 48 fewer victims

•Burglary reduced by 12% – total 4,787 – 673 fewer victims

•Offences against vehicles reduced by 3% – total 3,251 – 22 fewer victims

•Other theft offences reduced by 11% – total 11,305 – 1,508 fewer victims

•Criminal damage reduced by 12% – total 6,542 – 900 fewer victims

•Other offences reduced by 12% – total 499 -113 fewer victims

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