LibDem Councillor highlights concerns about anti social behaviour in west York

Cllr Ashley Mason continued to closely scrutinise the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) at yesterdays North Yorkshire Police & Crime Panel.

 

The PCC agreed with Cllr Mason that work was needed to review neighbourhood policing in York, following public concerns. 

Because of these concerns, a public meeting for residents and community leaders has been organised to raise issues with the Deputy Chief Constable on the 19th December, at West Offices, York (see below).

We have seen a more effective police presence in west York over the last few weeks. Offices attended Wednesdays Foxwood Residents Association meeting to provide an update following incidents of vandalism in the area.

The neighbourhood policing team (left) have also been using social media to update residents (left) on the progress they  are making.

Thursday’s Police and Crime Panel saw welcomed engagement with younger residents, as students from York College’s Public Services course attended to put questions to the panel.  Cllr Mason, who originally suggested to the panel to hold the meeting at York College, was pleased to see young people participating.

Cllr Mason pressed the Commissioner regarding Freedom of Information (FOI) practice at the OPCC and North Yorkshire Police, and additionally, requested an update on the progress of the 101 service.

Given recent negative coverage regarding the Force’s handling of FOI requests and reports of callers suffering delays to speak to operators via the101 service, Cllr Mason felt it fundamental that Julia Mulligan update the public.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“We must continue to scrutinise the OPCC and ensure vital police services are maintained to an excellent standard.  Recent reports have suggested that this has not been the case and therefore, the OPCC must be upfront and relay this information back to the public they serve.  Services such 101 are hugely important to the local community and I will continue to push for better standards.

I was also delighted to see students from York College at Thursday’s Panel, having originally requested that the Panel increase its engagement with younger residents.  It is so important that young people are heard at the local level and I will continue to amplify their voice where possible in all areas of my council duties.”

Residents can attend the public meeting on the 19th December at 6pm. There is no need to pre-book, simply attend West Offices. For further details, please contact Cllr Mason on cllr.amason@york.gov.uk

Police commissioner spends over £141,000 on fire service takeover bid

Costs have been revealed concerning the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) bid to take over responsibilities for overseeing the Fire Service in North Yorkshire.

It has been revealed that Julia Mulligan has spent £141,437.50 on consultants in order to put her business case together, exceeding her budget by over £12,000 in the process.  The revelations come after Councillors on the Police and Crime Panel were issued with a last minute briefing paper from the PCCs office.

Cllr Ashley Mason, Vice Chair of the Panel and Liberal Democrat Councillor for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, initially queried the costs earlier in the year, but was informed the details were commercially sensitive.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“I was astonished to learn how much the PCC had spent on this takeover bid. I was even more surprised to see that these costs are solely for the external consultants and marketers. The costs do not include the large amount of staff time her office put into the campaign and only £88,000 can be claimed back from the Home Office.

This is totally unacceptable and the money would have been better spent in employing more control room staff to address the failings in 101 services, or on local PCSOs, with numbers reducing in York.

The Commissioner has some serious issues to tackle within the police, who have recently fallen in their rating by the Inspectorate of Constabularies’ from ‘Good’ to ‘Requires Improvement.”

 

 

 

Increased police presence on York streets over Halloween and Bonfire celebrations

Over the coming weeks police in North Yorkshire will have an increased presence in York to deter those who may choose to engage in anti-social behaviour (ASB), and help keep the community safe under Operation CASBIA.

Op CASBIA is a new initiative that started on Friday 27 October. Local neighbourhood policing teams will be out in numbers to provide reassurance, crime prevention advice and provide you with the opportunity to meet your local officers.  Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s specialist Road Policing Group and Operational Support Unit will also be joining the local team to deter ASB and deal with the anti-social use of vehicles on our roads.

Postcards will also be supplied, to display that you do not wish to have Trick or Treaters at your door. These are available at the front office of both Acomb and Fulford Police station, or alternatively you can email your local team for one to be posted through your door.

Chief Inspector Allan Wescott, of North Yorkshire Police said:

“Although this time of year is fun and exciting for many, there are those in our communities for whom it can cause concern and anxiety and increase the fear of crime in local communities. There are also a small number of people who may choose to use it as an opportunity to commit Anti-Social Behaviour. We want to reassure the public that we will be out on the streets, doing our best to keep local communities safe.

“I’d like to also remind people to only trick or treat in their own neighbourhood unless they’re with an adult and avoid going out alone and ask people to stay in well- lit areas where there are plenty of houses.

“At this time of year we work closely with the Fire and Rescue Service, and I urge people not to take risks with fireworks. Anyone caught supplying fireworks to under 18s or lighting them in the street can expect to be dealt with robustly.”

Speed camera vans – Warning over scam Notice of Intended Prosecution emails

PCC Julia Mulligan with a mobile speed camera van

North Yorkshire Police say they have been made aware of a scam where people are being emailed with false Notice of Intended Prosecution letters (NIP) regarding alleged speeding offences.

North Yorkshire Police is keen to alert people to the fact that these are scam communications and are not sent from their Traffic Bureau department.

A genuine NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution, Section 172 request for driver details) is sent by first class post or recorded delivery, along with a request to identify the driver at the time of the offence. There would not be a request for any form of payment at this stage. The letter would also carry the North Yorkshire Police crest.

People are urged not to make any payment in response to these emails and not to click on any links contained.

Police are advising that if a member of the public receives a NIP and is unsure of its legitimacy, they can visit the FAQ section of the Safety Camera pages on the North Yorkshire Police website https://northyorkshire.police.uk/what-we-do/road-policing/safety-cameras/

Alternatively North Yorkshire Police Traffic Bureau can be contacted via email TrafficBureau@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or  by dialling 01904 618968 Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.

Crime levels on rise as residents seek meeting with police

Concerns about arson attacks in run up to “bonfire night”

The Foxwood Residents Association has written to local Police Chiefs asking for a meeting to discuss an increase in anti social behaviour problems in the area.

The requests comes as figures reveal that there has been  a  13% increase in crime nationally over the last year.

However the figures also confirm that North Yorkshire continues to have the lowest crime rate in England.

It shows there were a total of 37,359 crimes in North Yorkshire during the 12-month period, giving a crime rate of 45.9 per 1,000 of the population. This reflects a one percent increase in crime in comparison to the same period the previous year.

Broken down into the main crime categories, the ONS figures for North Yorkshire show:
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New Police Officer recruitment campaign launches in North Yorkshire next month

North Yorkshire Police is looking for people who want to deliver an exemplary service to the community, partners and colleagues in their recruitment campaign for Police Officers.

Do you have the skills and passion required to provide an excellent customer service every day and a true sense of purpose to keep people safe and make them feel safe? If the answer is YES, then read on……….

North Yorkshire Police has today announced that its latest recruitment drive for new Police Officers to join the force will launch next month.

From Wednesday 1 November, aspiring Police Officers will have the opportunity to submit their applications before the recruitment window closes on Thursday 30 November.

With its diverse geography, and breadth of policing challenges, this is the first time that members of the public have had the opportunity to apply for the role of Police Officer in North Yorkshire since April 2016.

The force welcomes applications from individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate how they inspire and influence those around them; are courageous and show compassion to others, who respect race and diversity and treat people with dignity and respect at all times.

Women, black and minority ethnic candidates and candidates from the LGBT community are particularly encouraged to apply, as members of these groups are currently under-represented in this role compared to local demographics. All appointments are made on merit. (more…)

Total £1,050 costs for ‘man with van’ who fly-tipped

Showing that fly-tipping doesn’t pay, a ‘man with a van’ who dumped domestic waste in a field’s gateway was yesterday (Tuesday 10 October) fined a total £1,057 by York Magistrates.

Adam Winterburn, aged 29 of Kingsmoor Road, Stockton on the Forest, pleaded guilty and was given a £307 fine, a £30 court surcharge and £720.45 prosecution costs.

A resident who posted on Facebook for a ‘man with a van’ to remove some rubbish from an address in Haxby was privately messaged by Winterburn offering to take the waste to the tip for £35. He said he couldn’t do it for any less as the household waste recycling centre would cost him around £15.

He warned the customer to make sure there was nothing in the waste with their name and address on it, claiming that other clearance people would take her waste and fly tip it, and that she would be the one who got the blame. Winterburn collected the waste later that day and was paid £35 in cash.

Days later, the waste was found dumped in the entrance to a field in Dunnington. Evidence was found linking the waste to the address in Haxby and the resident produced screenshots of all the messages from Winterburn.

Although Winterburn telephoned the council moments before his first interview to say that he wouldn’t be attending, a second interview date was arranged with him on the telephone and he failed to attend that too. He also failed to respond to any correspondence from the council.

Cllr Andrew Waller, interim deputy leader and executive member for environment, said: “Being licensed to collect, carry and dispose of waste is a legal requirement. Fly-tipping is unsightly, risks pollution and clearing it up creates costs for local council tax payers. Please check your waste carrier is properly licensed.

For information on commercial waste and residents’ responsibilities go to www.york.gov.uk/waste or visit the Environment Agency at www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information.