Request for witnesses following Tadcaster Road incident

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an incident that occurred in Tadcaster Road, York
Police tape2

It happened outside The Newington Hotel, Tadcaster Road, York, at 6.15pm on Saturday 5 March 2016, when men in a blue five-door hatchback car approached a young man.

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 witnesses to the incident, and local addresses that may have CCTV covering the location and any drivers of blue five-door hatchback cars that may have been in the location at the time for elimination purposes.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Tony Barnes. You can also email tony.barnes@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 12160039467.

Appeal after cat killed with air rifle

Police are investigating after a cat died after being shot several times with an air rifle.

Oscar the cat

Oscar the cat made his way back to his home in Scagglethorpe near Malton after being repeatedly fired at.

His owner, who is too upset to be identified, noticed the wounds and took him to the vet.

The vet tried to save Oscar by amputating his leg and removing pellets from elsewhere in his body.

However, sadly he died from his injuries a day later.

The offence was reported to police on Tuesday 29 March 2016 although it is believed to have taken place a week earlier. However, the owner was too distraught to report it immediately.

PC Linda Coles, of Malton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a particularly cruel attack against an affectionate animal, and it has understandably left his owner heartbroken.

“I’d appeal for the public’s help in finding whoever who did this, and we will do everything in our power to bring them to justice for this cowardly attack.”

The motive behind this incident is not clear and police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch. Please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, ask for Linda Coles and quote reference 12160054750.

Man who threw smoke grenade at a police safety camera van is sentenced

A man who threw a lit smoke grenade at a North Yorkshire Police safety camera van has been sentenced today.

Man who threw smoke grenade at a police safety camera van is sentenced (1 of 2)

Jake Sarup, 22, of Foxholes near Driffield, pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance.

At  5.30pm on the 6 September 2015, Sarup was in the back of a Vauxhall Corsa which was travelling on the A64 in the village of Sherburn, heading towards Scarborough.

Footage captured by the safety camera van shows the effects of the lit smoke grenade on the busy A64 after it was thrown by Sarup. It strikes the rear of the safety camera van which was carrying out speed enforcement at that time.

The smoke resulted in reduced visibility on the A64 and posed a potential safety hazard to other road users.

Sarup was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work when he appeared at York Crown Court today, 4 April 2016. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Traffic Constable Andy Forth who attended the sentencing said: “North Yorkshire Police fully supports the prosecution of Sarup. To throw a lit smoke grenade out of a moving vehicle, onto the busy A64 carriageway, was both irresponsible and dangerous.

“It could have resulted in not only a major collision due to the reduction in visibility on the road at that time, but also in damage to property or injury to any other person nearby.”

Dave Brown, Traffic Bureau Manager said: “This deliberate and irresponsible act could have had catastrophic consequences to innocent road users on the road and the court result imposed reflects that public safety concern.”

Restrictions on gangs and alcohol consumption on Acomb Green proposed

The Council is to consult residents on introducing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle the problems caused by youths in West Bank Park and Acomb Green.

The proposal will be considered on 4th April.

Acomb Green Play area group in 2011

Acomb Green Play area group in 2011

Options that the Council could look at introducing, through a PSPO, include:

  • A ban on drinking alcohol in both areas;
  • The ability to remove large groups of 3 or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour for both sites;
  • Banning the possession of lighters by under 16’s in the play area.
  • A ban on people riding bicycles or motorised bikes through West Bank Park;
  • Ensuring that dogs are kept on a lead at West Bank Park (current position) or relaxing this at certain times;

The proposals have been prompted by an increasing number of complaints about anti-social behaviour during the summer months. Between April and September, the police responded to 33 complaints about gangs gathering on the Green together with 4 about drunken behaviour and a further 4 where an attempt was made to set fire to the play equipment.

Similar issues arose at West Bank Park

If supported, the restrictions – which can be enforced by one the spot penalty notices – would also apply to the streets surrounding The Green.

Crime levels have been creeping up in York recently and residents will be expecting to see some effective remedies proposed by the candidates who are standing in the crime commissioner elections which are taking place in May.

York police and crime update

CCTV appeal following alleged theft from Mothercare in York

North Yorkshire Police have issued CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the alleged theft of several items of baby clothing from Mothercare.

Mothercare 1

The man entered the store on Clifton Moor in York at around 9.30am on Monday 9 November 2015.

Police are appealing for anyone who can identify the man or anyone who has any information Mothercare 2which could assist the investigation to contact them on 101 and ask to speak to PC Sarah Scott or email Sarah.Scott@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Please quote reference 12150199096.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Successful rural operation sees police in North Yorkshire targeting travelling criminals

Six people were arrested in North Yorkshire last night as part of a clampdown on criminals targeting the county’s rural areas.

19-year-old Eaglescliffe arrested after officers stopped a Fiat Punto on the B1365 near Stokesley due to its manner of driving

At the same time as the force’s Roads Policing and Road Crime teams were appearing on national TV on the BBC show Traffic Cops, those same teams were out on the roads, fighting crime in rural North Yorkshire.

Operation Checkpoint, which took place overnight, targeted cross-border criminals in rural areas across the north of England.

In North Yorkshire, dozens of Watch volunteers joined police officers and specialist units – including the force’s Roads Policing Group (RPG) and Road Crime Team (RCT) – across the Richmondshire, Hambleton and Ryedale areas.

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 Public invited to observe North Yorkshire Police use of stop and search powers

Police are calling for more people to apply to observe officers using their stop and search powers, as part of a new scheme to increase transparency.

North Yorkshire Police

Under the Stop and Search Lay Observer Scheme, members of the public can apply to accompany officers on patrol when they might deploy stop and search powers.

North Yorkshire Police officers carry out about 20 stop searches per day, and these powers are an effective policing tool to detect crime, recover property and arrest offenders. The force has adopted the Home Office Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme to increase transparency and further improve our use of these powers. Since its launch, one member of the public has already accompanied officers under the scheme, with a further six attachments planned in the near future.

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Record number of Special Constable applicants as campaign closes

North Yorkshire Police’s latest Special Constable recruitment campaign which ended today (1 February 2016) has seen a record number of applicants and expressions of interest.
Specials back view police jacket York

The campaign, which began on 4 January 2016, received 276 applications from potential Special Constables.

In addition, 341 people began an application but did not finish it, 11 people failed the pre-screening questions and 1 person withdrew their application.
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Man arrested after thefts from vehicles in York Business Park

Theft from carA man from Merseyside has been arrested after a report of thefts from vehicles at a garage in York.

Police were called at 12.45pm on Thursday 21 January 2016 with a report that a number of satnav memory cards had just been stolen from several vehicles at a garage on the York Business Park.

Officers immediately began a search of the area, and at 2pm a suspicious vehicle was stopped near Appleton Roebuck.

Items of suspected stolen property were recovered from the car, and the driver, a 27-year-old man from St Helens, Merseyside, was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.

He has been released on bail, with conditions not to enter North Yorkshire, as police enquiries continue.

York crime levels up

Figures published today by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) confirm that crime levels in York are increasing.
National Crime stats Jan 2016

click to enlarge

The main concern in York will be the violence figures which have crept up.

Also on the increase in recent months have been theft offences, drug misuse, non domestic burglaries and sexual offences,

The largest number of reports received by the Police concern anti social behaviour. ASB offences are not monitored on the national crime report.

The local Police commanders are at pains to point out that North Yorkshire, as a whole, is the safest county in the UK in which to live.

You can find out about crime incidents in your,and neighbouring, streets by clicking here

Council cautions against bogus taxis targeting young women

Taxi-to-York-Castle-MuseumCity of York Council has received a number of allegations relating to suspected illegal taxis operating in the city centre in recent weeks.

They have been seen on student nights and reports suggest that the drivers claim to work for a York private hire operator which has contracts with both universities. The drivers also appear to be targeting young women.

To help identify taxis properly-licensed by City of York Council, vehicles and drivers must display the following:

·      Private hire vehicles
  • o   Side plates on the rear doors stating ‘private hire vehicle pre booked only’, the company name and telephone number and/or website address;
  • o   Maroon licence plates on the front and rear of the vehicle, which state City of York Private Hire, the licence number, number of persons the vehicle is licensed to carry and the vehicle registration number;
  • o   A small plate giving the details above must also be displayed within the vehicle.
·      Hackney carriage vehicles
  • o   A ‘taxi’ roof light;
  • o   The York crest of the front doors;
  • o   Yellow licence plate on the rear of the vehicle which states, City of York Hackney Carriage, the licence number, number of persons the vehicle is licensed to carry and the vehicle registration number’;
  • o   A small plate giving the details above must also be displayed within the vehicle
  • o   A meter will be fitted in the vehicle.
  •  Private hire and hackney carriage drivers Photo ID badge issued by the council, which has the driver’s licence number, name and expiry date.

If you are approached by or believe an unlicensed vehicle is operating please don’t get in it. Unlicensed vehicles are not insured to carry passengers, they may not be roadworthy and drivers may not have passed a ‘fit and proper’ person test.

Please report your concerns to the council and/or police as soon as possible. Try to get as many details as possible about the vehicle (registration number, make, model, colour) and driver (sex, age, hair/eye colour, ethnicity, build), along with the location and time. Students can report it to the Student Union who will contact us or, please call City of York Council’s on 01904 551438 or email taxi.licensing@york.gov.uk or please call North Yorkshire Police on 101.

York Crime Update

CCTV appeal following alleged fraud at Marks and Spencer, York

North Yorkshire Police have issued CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with an alleged fraudulent refund which took place at Marks and Spencer, Pavement, York.

M&S Fraud

The incident took place at around 1.50pm on 23 December 2015.

Police are appealing for anyone who can identify the man or who has any information which could assist the investigation to contact them on 101 and ask speak to PC Rachel Shaw. Please quote reference 12150227314.

CCTV appeal to theft of a wallet in Poundland, York

North Yorkshire Police have issued CCTV images of two men they would like to speak to in relation to the alleged theft of a man’s wallet.

Poundland 1

The wallet was removed from the victims jacket pocket whilst he was shopping in Poundland on Low Petergate, York on 28 December 2015.

The victim then found that the contents of his bank account had been withdrawn from the Barclays Bank cash machine on Parliament Street, York.

Police are appealing for anyone who can identify the men or who has any information which could assist the investigation to contact them on 101 and ask speak to PC Alastair Foy. Please quote reference 12150191360.

Poundland 2

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

 

York Crime: Update 13th Jan 2016

Vigilance urged as thieves target Land Rovers

Police are urging owners of Land Rover Defenders to be on their guard against vehicle thieves, particularly in rural areas.

Land Rover Defender (file image)

The warning comes after a number of thefts and attempted thefts involving the vehicles across the county:

A Land Rover Defender was tampered with in Markington near Harrogate on the morning of 8 January 2016. It is believed offenders made off after activating the alarm. Crime reference 12160004174.

The theft of a green Land Rover Defender was reported in Crathorne, overnight 10-11 January 2016, registration TF07FEA. Crime reference 12160005723.

A green Land Rover Defender, registration APY156G, was stolen from Gribdale Terrace, near Great Ayton, during the night of 11-12 January 2016. Crime reference 12160006718.

A Land Rover Defender was entered in the Holgate area of York overnight 11-12 January 2016. Crime reference 12160006316.

There have also been thefts and attempted thefts of these type of vehicles recently in neighbouring force areas

Click to read more about this issue

Two drink drivers who gave highest readings of Christmas campaign, appear in court

The two drink drivers who provided the highest breathalyser readings of North Yorkshire Police’s Christmas campaign, have appeared in court.

North Yorkshire Police

44-year-old Leanne Drinkwater of Fenby Gardens, Scarborough was arrested on suspicion of drink driving on 4 December, after providing a roadside breathalyser reading of 141ug of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over four times the legal limit.

Reflecting the severity of the offence, Scarborough Magistrates handed her a suspended sentence of 14 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, along with a five year ban from the roads. Drinkwater was also ordered to pay £170 in related charges, carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and attend an alcohol dependency programme.

40-year-old Ann Todd of Aske Avenue, Richmond was arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Richmond on 16 December. She returned a roadside breathalyser reading of 180ug in 100ml of breath – the highest reading of the campaign – over five times the legal limit.

Todd, who pleaded guilty, received an eight week suspended sentence, suspended for 12 months and a three year ban from driving. She was also ordered to pay £165 in related charges, complete 100 hours of unpaid work and to attend an alcohol dependency programme.

 

Click to read more on this story

Police drill home property marking message after thefts from vehicles in York

Police in York are planning to hammer out thefts from vehicles, with a call to motorists to ensure their property is secure.

Dot peen property marking

Since the New Year, police have investigated 21 reported thefts from unattended vehicles across the city, with thieves particularly targeting power tools such as drills and saws. Six vehicles were targeted in the north of the city last weekend alone.

In addition to reiterating crime prevention advice, officers are now urging people to get such items security marked. To the untrained eye, a marked and unmarked drill will look identical – but a security engraving can make all the difference in deterring thieves and helping the police to find its owner.

The first of a series of dedicated property marking events will take place on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February from 8.30am to 12.30pm at B&Q in Clifton Moor.

Click to read more on this story

North Yorkshire Police urge people to secure their mobile devices

North Yorkshire Police is urging members of the public to make sure their mobile devices are secure in order to deter thieves and hackers.

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Laptops, tablets and smartphones are more popular than ever. Two thirds of people in the UK now own a smartphone, with 33% of internet users seeing this device as the most important for online activity.

Cybercrime is a real threat across the UK, including in North Yorkshire. Since 1 April 2015, there have been 624 cyber-related incidents reported to North Yorkshire Police. The nature of these incidents, range from online bullying and Child Sexual Exploitation to holiday fraud and identity theft.

Click to read more on this story

York crime update

CCTV appeal following York food outlet assault

Police have issued CCTV images of three men they would like to speak to about an assault at a food outlet in York.

CCTV appeal following York food outlet assault

At about 3am on Sunday 15 November 2015, an assault took place in Subway on Clifford Street, leaving the victim – a man in his twenties – with minor facial injuries.

Police would like to speak to the three men pictured on CCTV, as they may have important information that could assist the investigation into the incident.

Anyone who recognises the men is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police. Call 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Joanne Marshall. You can also email joanne.marshall@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12150203051 in connection with this incident.

Man wanted for breach of bail and failing to attend court

North Yorkshire Police are asking for the public’s help to find a man wanted for breaching his bail conditions and failing to appear in court.

Alexander Ighodalo

Alexander Ighodalo, 36, who lives in Markham Street, York, but holds dual Nigerian and Italian citizenship, was charged with money laundering and fraud offences in December relating to a £42,000 fraud.

He failed to comply with his bail conditions during January and failed to appear at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on 7 January 2016.

Mr Ighodalo also has links to the Manchester area and the security industry.

Police are appealing to anyone who has seen him or knows of his current whereabouts to contact them.

If you can help the police investigation to find Alexander Ighodalo, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for York Investigation Hub.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12150204645 when passing on information.