Police launch murder investigation after death in Holgate Road
Man arrested
A man has been arrested in connection with a murder investigation in York.
Officers were called in the early hours of Monday 6 March 2017 to concerns about the behaviour of a man near York Railway Station who had blood on his hands. Police attended the area and found the man in the Scarcroft Road area where he was arrested.
They later found the found the body of a man in his 50s inside a flat on Holgate Road in York.
Scene guards were in place at locations across the city including the scene of the murder at the flat in Holgate Road, a bus stop outside York Railway Station and a taxi rank on Queen Street. Offices remain at the flat this morning as the investigation continues.
The arrested man, 19, remains in police custody for questioning.
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area of Holgate Road between 11pm last night (Sunday 5 March 2017) and 3am on the morning of Monday 6 March is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the Force Control Room.
Please quote reference 12170037677 when passing on information.
Police are not yet in a position to release the name of the victim.
What’s on in York: Police drop in tomorrow at Acomb Library
Crime and safety advice from York Police & Fire/Rescue
From Fire and Rescue
From the Police
Fake Scottish £20 notes
Please be aware of two males trying to use fake Scottish £20 notes in York city centre. Please be vigilant and if you see anything suspicious please call us on 101. Crime ref 12170030308
UNIVERSITY SPEAR-PHISHING ALERT
The information contained within this alert is based on information received from various sources. The purpose of
this alert is to increase awareness of this campaign still in circulation. The campaign’s primary function appears to be
harvesting financial details via a link contained within an email.
The alert is aimed at higher education establishments; however police forces and governmental agencies have also
been targeted
ALERT CONTENT
Fraudsters are sending out a high number of phishing emails to university email addresses claiming to be from their
own HR department. These email addresses are either spoofed or in some cases using compromised university email
accounts.
The email claims that the recipient is entitled to a pay rise from their department and to click on a link to claim the
pay rise.
This link then takes you to a spoofed university website telling you to enter to your personal details (including
university login details and financial information). These financial details can then be used by criminals, and the login
details are usually passed around and sold for future fraud campaigns.
PROTECTION / PREVENTION ADVICE
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Police desk opens at Acomb Explore library
In our survey last year, 85% of respondents said that the opening of a “police desk” at Acomb Library was a high priority for them.
Well it looks like we’re half way to getting one as the police announced today that regular drop in sessions will be held.
“Police in Acomb are taking their front counter services into the community with a new service designed to interact with more people”.
“Keeping safe community drop-in” events will be held at Acomb Explore on a weekly basis to help more members of the public access crime prevention advice and information.
In a new pilot scheme that will run for three months, local people will be able to access crime prevention and personal safety advice, details of how to sign up to the North Yorkshire Community Messaging system to receive alerts about crime and incidents in their area, or simply have a chat.
The scheme will be evaluated after the pilot, and if the results are positive, it could become a permanent service and may be introduced in other parts of York and North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire Police’s Citizens in Policing Coordinator Manager, Natasha Almond, said: “Acomb police station office is open to the public on a part-time basis thanks to our Police Support Volunteers, however, the service is underused and people rarely call in.
“So if people aren’t coming to us, we want to take our services to them. We have great support from our volunteers who are willing to provide this service in their own time. My thanks go to them for giving up their time and to Acomb Explore for their enthusiasm and help with this service.”
Fiona Williams, Chief Executive of York Explore, added: “Libraries are safe spaces in communities where everyone is welcome and we are looking forward to working more closely with north Yorkshire police to build a more resilient community”
The “Keeping safe community drop-in” will be running every Friday between 24 February to 19 May 2017 from 11.45am to 1.45pm. Call in and say hello.
York Police scam alert
TAX REBATE FRAUD ALERT
The police have issued the following warning, ”
NHS members are being targeted by tax rebate companies, purporting to offer services whereby they obtain a tax rebate on the victim’s behalf. However, the company obtains the refund but does not provide any of the funds to their customer, leaving victims over £34,000 out of pocket.
Information suggests that the companies have managed to infiltrate NHS practices/hospitals as part of training/open days and in lunchtime meeting sessions for staff. They also advertise their services to staff members and have been known to set up stands in the reception or restaurant areas.
The companies request the victim sign forms which give them permission to liaise with HMRC on their behalf, stating their fee will be charged to the rebate received. HMRC have confirmed that they have issued refunds to the companies in relation to requests received and authorised by the staff member. Once the refund is obtained all contact with the companies are broken and the victim does not receive their rebate.
Tax rebate fraud does not only affect NHS staff but can also affect Police Officers, airline staff and teachers. However this list of professions is not exclusive and anyone can be targeted.
Crime Prevention Advice
- · Do research online to ensure the company is reputable by checking the registration details are correct and by viewing feedback online.
- · Do not feel pressured to sign documentation without doing some basic checks.
- · Do not respond to unsolicited emails, texts or calls offering rebate services.
- · Make sure that you are aware and agree to the commission that will be paid to a rebate company prior to signing any documents.
· If you have been affected by this, or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Incident at Lendal Bridge, York
Serious delays to bus services in York
Police attended the Lendal Bridge scene at 3.03am Friday 17 February 2017 where a man had been found with serious injuries at the bottom of the steps on Dame Judi Dench Walk, Lendal Bridge in York.
The 25-year-old man from London has been taken to LGI where he remains in a critical condition.
Lendal Bridge is currently closed whilst police conduct an investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
Anyone who witnessed anything which would be helpful to the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, select option 1 and speak to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference 12170027352.
Police appeal after 13-year-old schoolboy assaulted on Hob Moor
North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information about an assault that occurred in York.
It happened on Hob Moor, off Tadcaster Road, at about 3.45pm on 7 February 2017, and involved a 13-year-old boy from York who was on his way home from school on his bicycle. He was riding his bike over Hob Moor when he encountered a man aged about 30-40, who grabbed him and punched him several times in the face before making off towards Tadcaster Road, York, on foot.
The boy received minor injuries to his face, and was checked over by paramedics after the incident.
We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
In particular, we are appealing for information about the suspect, who has been described as a white male, aged around 30-40, approximately 5ft 8ins in height, of slim build, with a dark shaved head and stubble to the face and wearing dark clothing.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Amy Foster. You can also email amy.foster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12170021867.
- Contact details:
- Amy Foster – #1116
amy.foster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk | 31116 - Incident reference:
- 12170021867
Police tight lipped about Acomb Police station closure
The Police and Crime Commissioners office (PCC) has refused to reveal details of the proposed move of the Acomb Police station to a new site at Lowfields. They claim “commercial confidentiality” as a reason not to reveal their forward investment programme (other Authorities agree forward capital plans at public meetings).
The PCC does admit that £141,000 was spent in 2013 modernising the existing station on Acomb Road.
The PCC claims that the Police do not hold any notes or the minutes of any meetings which have taken place during the last 2 years at which the expansion or relocation of the Acomb Police Station has been discussed. Nor will they provide details of the costs associated with any proposed changes
The PCCs decision-making process is at best opaque.
A response to an FOI request refers to a decision taken by the PCC in 2015. A report then outlined ways in which around £1.6 million a year will be saved from the police budget by rationalising premises.
Across North Yorkshire, it estimates that total capital costs (including project management costs and costs for digital technologies) would be of the order of £17.6m, and will exceed disposal proceeds (estimated to be £12.4m) by around £5m.
A background paper says that police services will be delivered through three tiers,
- Tier 1: Core operational hubs; which will typically include essential core police and back office activities including Force Control Room locations, Custody locations, Investigative Hubs and facilities to store and retain property and exhibits.
- Tier 2: Deployment/Response bases, strategically located across the force to supplement the core operational hubs and provide operational coverage to mitigate Threat, Risk and Harm. These bases may be shared with other public services.
- Tier 3: Local community “touchpoints” will provide a range of mechanisms to increase and enhance the opportunity for the public to engage with the police, including mobile police stations, online “real time” contact and community based information points. These may include mobile Gateway access via either shared multi-agency public access points or virtual access (online/self service).
It is unclear what role any office in Acomb will fulfil although most residents have supported the idea of providing a police contact desk at the Library rather than go through an expensive new build project at Lowfields.
The annexes to the strategy are exempted on “commercial grounds” meaning that taxpayers do not know which police stations could be affected.
This raises suspicions that financial, rather than operational, needs are driving the change process in Acomb
The PCC declines to say which functions any new Police building at Lowfields would be designed to accommodate. For example it has been suggested that the site will be used for overnight parking.
The FOI response says that “a letter of intent for North Yorkshire Police to work with the City of York Council in respect of the Lowfields site, has been sent to the City of York Council by North Yorkshire Police’s Chief Executive Officer”. The date and content of the letter are not revealed.
Given that it appears that the Police have no idea what kind of facility they hope to build at Lowfields – and at what cost to taxpayers – any letter of intent would seem to be premature.
The PCC has made no attempt to engage with local Councillors or residents on their plans
The PCC is proposing to increase the police precept by 1.99% in April.
PCC FOI response Jan 2017
York Police warn of charity giving scam
North Yorkshire Police have been informed of an emerging fraud whereby social media platforms are being used to attract members of the public to donate money to animal welfare charities overseas that do not exist.
Criminal groups based in Spain or Cyprus and are using social media to target donors from the UK. The money is then laundered from the UK to overseas and rather than be used to tackle animal cruelty it is simply used to support a criminal lifestyle in the sun. They will canvass for contributions through their existing social networks which will expand over time, attracting more donors.
PROTECTION / PREVENTION ADVICE
Sometimes the article or post on social media may indicate the payments are for charitable organisation or a “worthy cause”. Sadly not in all instances are these genuine, and if any doubt please undertake your own due diligence.
Other signs to look for include:
• Genuine charities are registered with the Charity Commission and print their registration details on all documentation, collection bags, envelopes, electronic communications etc.
• Check these details exist and also contact the Charity Commission to confirm they are authentic. You can call them on their helpline 0845 300 0218 or by visiting www.charity-commission.gov.uk, where they have an online charity register.
• If the collection is for a charity you know is genuine, check the collection is authorised by asking the charity directly, using contact details from the phone book or a website that you know is genuine.
• Watch out for poor grammar and spelling in emails and other documents, including collection envelopes.
• Send your donation to the charity directly. This may mean going to a little more trouble, but at least you can be sure your donation will get to where it’s intended.
• If you have any concerns you can also gain further information from the government website – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission/about
• If you have been affected by this, or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk