Violence, public order and street crime levels up in York

The latest crime figures released by the Office of National Statistics reveal a worrying trend in York with street crime and sexual offences at record levels.

Drug offences have also risen during the last 3 years.

York Crime stats

While at the overall number of crimes is slightly down, with 44790 recorded during 2015, the figures do not include “anti social behavior” (ASB).

In some neighbourhoods ASB accounts for as much as 50% of the reports made to the Police.

The figures are bound to lead to more calls for a return to community policing principles and a reversal of the York Council’s policy of centralising agency anti crime work in a City centre “hub”.

Poor choice for police boss as postal vote forms arrive

Postal votes for the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections are landing on doormats today.

Most electors will be baffled by the lack of information about the candidates for a post which costs taxpayers £34 an hour

The only source of information is a web site on which very brief manifestos can be viewed. However the official poll cards make no mention that the site even exists much less how to access it.

For the record you can access it by clicking here

How an elector who does not have internet access will source information about candidates is unclear. They have no way of knowing that a policy comparator is even available

We would have expected the four candidates to have made a bit more effort to address the growing concerns about crime in the county.

Crime levels in York are rising and are now above the average for similar City’s elsewhere in the country.

There are now no Community Constables identified for local neighbourhoods. Having a named police officer as a point of contact for local residents was an important contributor to reductions in crimes like anti social behavior, criminal damage and street level disturbances, which we saw until a few years ago.

Now they are gone and important links with the local community have been broken.

Nor do the candidates have anything to say about issues like road safety although the Tory has come out in favour of more speed cameras.

So it still looks like the farce of the 2012 PCC elections is set to be repeated on May 5th.

Nine Children’s Centres in York under threat

The council says it is “planning to make Children’s Centre services a key part of new Local Area Teams being created to support families in the crucial early years of a child’s life and through into adulthood (up to 19 years old or 25 years old for disabled young people)”.

However, the consultation talks – in the small print – about exploring “for each of our buildings if transferring ownership and management to partners and communities could save money but still ensure services for families“.

It is clear that the Council plans to de-register its children’s centres and hand the buildings over to third parties including possibly the burgeoning number of independent “Academy” schools.

Effectively parents and neighbours would lose their influence over how – or even if – the centres operate.

The Council line is that they will “locate services in local communities – providing access to community health services, parenting and family support, early education and childcare, as well as links to training and employment opportunities for families with children aged under five.

The consultation is being shared with service users and professionals across the city. The proposals recognise that the council needs to be able to help those in most need at the earliest possible stage, so that every child in York has the best possible start in life, that issues in later life are prevented and so that the need for more intensive and high-cost interventions are reduced.

As part of the new approach for families the proposals are that the council will:

•Ensure support for all families through Health Visitors, good quality childcare and groups for families that provide social, supportive and developmental activities.
• Do more when families need us most which could be as simple as talking to someone, through to support around post-natal depression or domestic abuse.
• Make the best use of existing buildings and staff. Every year over 20 per cent of the Children’s Centre budget is spent on the buildings. The proposals are to reduce this in order to maximise the number of staff working with families, where the families need them”.

What’s on in York – Fashion City York

Fashion Marquee in Parliament Street :

Fri 22 Apr – Sun 24 Apr : 10.00am – 5.00pm :

All events free, except the Friday evening event

Apr 22_Fashion Weekend Welcome to a packed weekend of offers, events, competitions, workshops and demonstrations celebrating fashion in York. The hub of the Fashion Weekend will be the Fashion Marquee in Parliament Street, home to the Fashion Village, demonstration area and a bar.

Fashion City York is here to tell the world how great York is for fashion shopping & to support local talent in the industry. From big brands to independent retailers, international designers to home-grown labels, York has something to offer every fashion-savvy shopper out there.

And you’ll find this fascinating diversity along cobbled streets simply bursting with historic beauty – not to mention a relaxed café culture when you need a reviving break.

See the brochure and website for more details. http://www.visityork.org/seeanddo/York-York-Fashion-Weekend/details/?dms=3&feature=1002&venue=1692820&easi=true&bfilter=E&msg=Browsing+events+in+York&groupid=1&pvieflag=e

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