3.5 times over limit
The Police are reporting that they arrested a drunk driver in Tesco car park, on Tadcaster Road, yesterday,
The driver was 3.5 times over the limit and had three children with him in the vehicle
Halloween – Advice from York Police
York Police are asking children and residents to observe a code of conduct in the run up to Halloween. The following poster can be downloaded from their website
Parents should take responsibility for their children’s behaviour – know where they are at all times, and follow a few key dos and don’ts.
Do:
- Only trick or treat in your own neighbourhood unless you’re with an adult
- Stay in well lit areas where there are plenty of houses
- Make sure an adult knows the area you plan to visit and what time you’ll be back
- Look out for ‘no callers please’ posters and respect your neighbours
- Keep to pavements and trick or treat on one side of the street before crossing safely to the other side – don’t criss-cross
- Wait to eat any treats until you get home so that an adult can check them
Don’t:
- Don’t cut through back alleys, ginnels or fields, and don’t trick or treat too far from home
- Don’t go alone – take an adult with you or stay in a group
- If you do decide to go trick or treating, please respect the wishes of householders who do not wish to take part, and please do not use the season as an excuse for anti-social or intimidating behaviour.
Even if you are not involved in trick or treating, bear in mind the following:
- Not everyone appreciates trick or treaters. To prevent unwanted ghosts and ghouls, put a ‘no callers’ note on your front door.
- If you are prepared to receive the local monsters, switch on your outside light and remove any trip hazards. If you set lanterns outside your front door with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that costumes won’t accidentally be set on fire.
- If you are driving on the evening of the 31st, remember that excited children don’t always do as they are expected, so slow down in residential areas and take extra care.
If things get out of hand, you feel intimidated, or someone’s safety is at risk, contact North Yorkshire Police.
Commissioner cuts £172,000 from police dogs budget
North Yorkshire Police, Cleveland Police and Durham Constabulary are to merge their police dog sections to create a single integrated service from summer 2016.
it is claimed that the move “will increase police coverage in rural areas, reduce overall costs by more than three million pounds over the next five years, and enable a substantial 24-hour dog unit to be to retained across the three Forces”.
Police dogs carry out a wide range of duties to support police operations, including tracking people, chasing down criminals, finding explosives, cash, weapons or drugs, “passive” drug identification, keeping public order and supporting firearms officers. Many of these tasks require highly specialised training, which means that, at the moment, each Force only has a limited number of police dogs with these skills.
Cleveland Police and Durham Constabulary embarked on a shared dog unit earlier this year and hope to build on this success through the further collaboration with North Yorkshire. Police dogs and their handlers from the three forces will all be trained in the same way and will adopt the same tactical approaches. This will give each force access to more police dogs per shift, as well as greater access to specialist police dogs to cover particular types of operations.
In North Yorkshire, dogs live with their handlers in different locations across the whole county.
To support them better, operational bases will be set up in Harrogate, York Fulford Road, Northallerton/Thirsk and East Coast/Ryedale.
These, together with bases in Durham and Cleveland, will mean that more dogs are deployable to the north of the county, improving the service to some of North Yorkshire’s most remote rural areas, as well as covering urban “hot spots” more effectively.
As part of the move, dog handlers in North Yorkshire will fall in line with their counterparts by working 12-hour shifts, a change from their current variable pattern with shorter shifts.
Mike Stubbs of North Yorkshire’s Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said it had “serious concerns about the move to 12 hour shifts”.
He said: “North Yorkshire is a very different environment to Cleveland or Durham – our dog handlers have to cover a massive area.
“Is it right they should be expected to do a blue light emergency run on demanding roads towards the end of a 12 hour shift, having already driven many miles across the county in the course of their shift?
“There are laws and limits for commercial drivers to protect against the effects of driver fatigue which the police enforce. It defies common sense that those principles are being ignored for drivers of police vehicles.”
Police appeal after man suffers facial injuries in Holgate assault
York police are appealing for information after a man was assaulted outside the One Stop Shop on Acomb Road in York.
The attack happened on Sunday 25 October 2015 at around 4.25pm when a vulnerable 60-year-old man was verbally abused before being assaulted by another man or youth outside the shop.
The victim attended York District Hospital for treatment to serious facial injuries.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, in particular two men who approached the scene of the incident shortly after the assault.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Detective Constable Laura Wood in York Serious Crime Team, or email laura.wood@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference number 12150189922 when passing on information.
Property marking warning for building site burglars from York Police
York Police are fighting back against building site burglars – by making valuable tools and plant kit ‘too hot to handle’.
Officers are attending a building site in Clifford Street, York, today (Tuesday 27 October) to security mark and log all equipment there, ensuring would-be thieves would find it impossible to sell on.
The site was recently targeted by burglars, and police are now inviting other building firms in York to get their equipment marked too.
Property on the site will be security marked using dot peen marking, in conjunction with the Hermes recording system to log it on Immobilise, the UK national property register database.
Unfortunately the Clifford Street site was targeted overnight on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October. Despite being left locked and secure, offenders broke into the building site and removed copper pipe and a large amount of equipment, worth around £6,000. The investigation into the burglary is ongoing, and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 12150177505. You can also pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Property marking sessions at other sites are also taking place, and officers are now inviting firms in York to get in touch so their equipment can also be security marked and registered.
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York woman forfeits £2990 as Police announce local award winners.
North Yorkshire Police have successfully obtained a forfeiture order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) against a woman from York, for cash amounting to £2990 that was seized during a drugs warrant.
Yazmin Biggs, 61, has also been told she must pay £895 in costs to North Yorkshire Police’s Legal Services Department.
Police seized the cash during a search of the home address of Ms Biggs, following reports of drug related activity at the property.
When she appeared in court, Ms Biggs claimed that nothing illegal had taken place in relation to the cash. However when hearing the circumstances in which the cash was seized and details of the subsequent financial investigation, the Magistrates decided that it was more likely than not that the cash was derived from criminal activity.
T/Detective Inspector Rowland of the Force Economic Crime Unit said:
“This particular case once again demonstrates that even when the result of a criminal investigation no further action (NFA), if the cash is seized in suspicious circumstances the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) allows North Yorkshire Police to continue to investigate the origin and intended use of that cash.
“Officers from the force’s Economic Crime Unit will work hard to put evidence before a court and they will decide if the cash was derived from criminal activity or was intended for use in such activity.
“The outcome with Ms Biggs reinforces the message to those wishing to engage in criminal activity, that the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) will be used at every opportunity.”
Winners announced at the first North Yorkshire Police Annual Awards ceremony
Supporting the families of murder victims, saving a woman from suicide and encouraging hundreds of youngsters towards a positive lifestyle – those were just a few of the stories from North Yorkshire Police’s first Annual Awards ceremony, which was held at the Hospitium in York on Friday (23 October).
The Annual Awards event, which was attended by winners, their families and senior officers, was designed to recognise the achievements of officers and staff who embody the Force’s values of courage, compassion and inspiration. It is the first such event to be held by North Yorkshire Police.
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Youth protection scheme to re-run this half term in York
A youth protection scheme is to be re-run over half term following its success in the summer.
Operation Liberate, led by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police, and other partners, aims to keep young people feeling and being safe. Police, local authority officers and healthcare professionals offer young people support and help, and where necessary take action to prevent anti-social behaviour or offending.
Between 24 July and 5 September on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer holiday, Operation Liberate targeted areas where anti-social behaviour has been an issue in the past. Police response teams identified 18 young people at risk and vulnerable aged between 10 and 18, of whom 75 per cent were female. Of them, 25 per cent were in danger of getting involved in anti-social behaviour and 75 per cent were considered vulnerable.
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Police go online to mark Wildlife Crime Awareness Week
North Yorkshire Police are urging members of the public to join officers in supporting national Wildlife Crime Awareness Week.
The week runs from 19 to 25 October 2015, and is an opportunity for people to get involved in the fight against wildlife crime – both online, by raising awareness, and offline, by acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police, particularly in rural areas.
Police are also marking the week by launching a dedicated wildlife crime Twitter account – the first of its kind in the region.
North Yorkshire Police has 16 specially trained Wildlife Crime Officers, who, along with their normal duties, investigate crimes against wildlife. They will either assist other police officers or take the lead role in the investigation of more intricate cases, and can also offer training and advice to colleagues. They also give talks to local schools and community groups, support local schemes such as Farmwatch and Rural Watch, and provide advice to the public alongside other organisations at countryside events like the Great Yorkshire Show.
The new Twitter account, @NYPWCOS (www.twitter.com/nypwcos), has already been used to share information and warnings about illegal traps, poaching offences and badger persecution.
Insp Vicky Taylor, who holds the portfolio for wildlife crime at North Yorkshire Police, said: “We take all reports of wildlife crime extremely seriously, and Wildlife Crime Awareness Week is an opportunity to highlight our commitment to tackling this criminality. Particularly in rural areas, members of the public and local Watch scheme volunteers provide valuable support, often acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police, and I would urge anyone who wants to join us in the fight against countryside crime to get in touch by calling 101.”
The @NYPWCOS Twitter account is run by PC Gareth Jones, Ripon Rural Beat Manager and Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator. He said: “Wildlife crime is cruel and illegal. However, people may not always report it because they don’t know what to spot, or what constitutes a crime. Wildlife Crime Awareness Week and our new Twitter account is all about educating members of the public about wildlife crime, as well as asking people to come forward and report any suspicious activity to the police.”
Already this year, a number of wildlife criminals have been convicted thanks to the hard work and vigilance of police officers, local Watch schemes and members of the community – including a hare courser in Melsonby, poachers in East Cowton, sheep rustlers in Skipton and many more.
Other wildlife crime-related activity includes:
- • In March 2015, North Yorkshire Police took part in the UN’s World Wildlife Day;
- In May, the force launched a major poster campaign to highlight the dangers of illegal wildlife poisoning;
- In June, PCs Gareth Jones and Sarah Ward appeared live on BBC One’s Crimewatch Roadshow to demonstrate the impact of wildlife crime in rural communities;
- In July, North Yorkshire Police’s online rural crime awareness campaign – which includes wildlife crime messages – was a finalist in the UK Public Sector Communications Awards. The campaign has also been shortlisted in the Digital Entrepreneur Awards in November;
- Throughout the summer, officers attended events and shows, including the Great Yorkshire Show, with a Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) displayer trailer;
- And in August the force joined an innovative project with NFU Mutual to train officers to tackle livestock theft.
The term ‘wildlife crime’ encompasses a very wide variety of offences – everything from the unlawful trapping of wild animals to disturbing cetaceans. North Yorkshire Police have published comprehensive advice and guidance about wildlife crime at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/wildlifecrime.
Wildlife Crime Awareness Week is supported by World Animal Protection in partnership with Crimestoppers.
Day of action in west York leads to a number of arrests
The York West Safer Neighbourhood Team conducted a day of action yesterday, Thursday 15 October 2015.
The enforcement activity took place in the Acomb area of York and the team were supported by York Neighbourhood support team, Road Policing team, Firearms support unit, York Anti-social Behaviour Hub officers and York City Council Neighbourhood Enforcement officers.A warrant was carried out under the misuse of drugs act at a property on Dringfield Close at around 8am. A 25 year old woman and a 27 year old man were arrested at the property and both have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
A search of a vehicle stopped on Barkston Grove led to the arrest of a 25 year old man from York on suspicion of supplying a class B drug. He has been released on bail.
Subsequent searches at a property in Westfield Place, Acomb, York, led to the arrest of a 23 and 2 4 year old man, both form York, for drugs offences. Both have been released on bail.
A 36 year old man from York was arrested on suspicion of the theft of a cycle on Tadcaster Road. The cycle has since been returned to its owner and the man has been bailed.
As well as the enforcement activity, officers actively supported the Hate Crime awareness week by attending Acomb library with information and advice about Hate Crime.
In addition, officers attended York College for a dot peen property making event where various items of property were marked and recorded including 45 Cycles.
PC Andy Chapman said:
“North Yorkshire Police is committed to eradicating drug dealing in the city of York.
“The actions of those who choose to sell drugs will not be tolerated and my message to them is – you will be caught.
“The local policing team will continue to undertake days of action as part of our aim to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the city.”
If anyone has any information about people dealing drugs or anyone wishing to report suspicious activity please contact the Police on 101.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
York sex assault investigation – appeal to trace man in CCTV images
Detectives have issued CCTV images of a man they need to speak to in connection with a sexual assault on a woman at an address in York City Centre.
The incident, which is being treated as isolated with no wider concerns for the local community, occurred at around 5am on Friday 2 October 2015.
The victim is being supported by specially trained officers while police enquiries are ongoing to trace the man. Officers are urging him to come forward as he could have important information to assist the investigation. They are also appealing for anyone who recognises the man from the CCTV images to get in touch without delay.
He is described as a white, aged around 20 or 21, of skinny build and has chin-length black hair. The man has a few tattoos, one of which is a distinctive “umbrella with rain drops” on his right bicep area. He also has a tattoo of some writing across his stomach area.
If you can help, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for York Serious Crime Team. Or email SCTYork@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Please quote incident number 12150176353 when providing information about this investigation.
Man charged with a public order offence after incident is posted on Facebook
A 28 year old man from York has been charged with a public order offence after verbally abusing a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).
The incident was reported by members of the public after a video showing the offence was posted on Facebook.
Sergeant Kevin Kelly of the York response unit said:
“My thanks go out to all of our social media followers who reported this incident.
“My colleague, based in York, was simply carrying out her duty, preventing crime and keeping the public safe, when she was verbally abused by a member of the public who thought it was “just a bit of fun” to video the incident and post it on social media.
“This type of despicable behaviour will not be tolerated and as this case clearly shows, there will be serious consequences when we catch those who commit this type of offence.
“Thank you to those people who support the police. As police officers, we want to help our communities be safe from harm, so please continue to support us and report any incidents to us on 101”.