Crime levels up in York

The latest 12 month crime figures for York – for the year ending June 2015 – show increased levels of criminal activity in the City compared to three months ago.

The figures however do show a small reduction in overall crime levels compared to the 12 months ending in June 2014.

The figures are produced by the Office of National Statistics and exclude “anti social behaviour” (ASB).

ASB accounts for over 50% of reports to the Police in some parts of York.

Offences showing a sustained raise include those connected with drugs, public order, robbery, sexual offences and violence.

Bicycle thefts are down as is criminal damage, burglary, shoplifting and vehicle offences.

York and North Yorkshire continues to have a relatively low crime rate

The North Yorkshire Police response to the latest crime figures can be read by clicking here

Crime updates

Appeal for witnesses after ATM theft in Heslington this morning Police were called at about 2.30am this morning to reports of a digger being used to force entry into the front of the Natwest Bank on Main Street, Heslington. For more information click here
Appeal for Information following serious assault at Blue Fly, York North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an assault that occurred at Blue Fly Bar, New Street, York, on Saturday 8 August 2015. For more information click here
Appeal following burglary on Holgate Road, York North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a burglary that occurred in York. It happened at around 4am on Wednesday 9 September 2015. For more information click here

York scammers claim to be from youth offending services

City of York Council has had reports of a scam in which cold callers in the York area are claiming to be part of the council’s Youth Offending Team.

A resident has told the council that a group of young people is going door-to-door in Osbaldwick, Haxby and Upper Poppleton areas claiming to offer services from the team and presenting a card, which has not been issued by the council or the team.

The Council says, “Our youth offending services never run door-to-door schemes or selling schemes and we are concerned that unscrupulous people are trying to trade on and thereby devalue the good name of the team and the work it does.

“We ask that residents do not support this scam, turn away these callers and alert their neighbours – particularly any vulnerable ones.”

To report potential scams please contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline 0345 4040506.

North Yorkshire Police also recommend that people concerned about unwanted visitors should call 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

York Police launch “hate” crime initiative

“Report it so we can sort it” – North Yorkshire Police support National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

National Hate Crime Awareness Week takes place from 10 to 17 October with the aim of the week being to raise awareness about hate crime, what it is and if you are a victim – how to report it.

Policing in North Yorkshire exhibition photo

Throughout the week North Yorkshire Police are supporting a number of local groups and events across the region, to spread the message that hate crime will not be tolerated and to encourage victims to come forward and report it.

Events are taking place in Scarborough, Northallerton, York and Selby with the support of local Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Members of the public are invited to come along to receive information and support.

Hate crime is described as any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity or perceived disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

It can take the form of;

Physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbourhood disputes and arson.
Threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone call, intimidation or malicious complaints.
Verbal abuse or insults – including offensive letters and posters, abusive gestures, and bullying at school or in the workplace.

Speaking about National Hate Crime Awareness week DCC Tim Madgwick said;

“North Yorkshire Police take hate crime extremely seriously and encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward and report it. Everyone has a right to live without fear – being who you are is not a crime – but being threatened or harassed because of it is. We would ask victims if they are under immediate threat or attack to call 999. Alternatively you can report it to North Yorkshire Police on 101. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the Supporting Victims service or Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625.”

Figures for hate crime are relatively low in North Yorkshire, but it’s believed this may be due to people either not being aware that they have been subject to a crime or reluctance to report it.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Julia Mulligan said;

“We know that hate crime is under-reported but the reasons for this are not clear. In my Police and Crime Plan, I have set out a clear objective for improvements to be made in response to feedback from the public. I know the police take this very seriously and that once the North Yorkshire specific report I have commissioned is finalised, further improvements to the service will be made. In the meantime, it is important for people to report incidents to the police, or if they feel they’d rather talk to someone independent, they can call Supporting Victims on 01904 669276. The team are trained to ensure victims get the help they need.”

Advice and support will be available at all the events throughout the week and members of the public are invited to drop in and learn more about hate crime, how to recognise it and how they can take steps to stop it.
LOCAL EVENTS

A full list of events is available on the Stop Hate UK website –http://www.stophateuk.org/hate-crime-awareness-week/

Local PCSOs will be at York Designer Outlet on Sunday 11 October between 8am- 3.30pm with a hate crime awareness stand to give advice and information. On Monday 12 October the team will be at the University of York Student Union from 6pm-7.30pm. Throughout the week they will be running hate crime awareness sessions at local schools and on Wednesday 14 October a drop in session at Tang Hall Lane Community Centre from 12-2pm

Westfield crime levels up over last 12 months

There were 159 crimes reported in the Westfield Ward during August. The majority (92) concerned anti social behaviour. There were 19 reports of violence/sexual offences and 15 of criminal damage

The highest concentration of crime reports were in Chapelfields and Front Street/The Green although there were local hotspots in Foxwood Lane (near Chesneys field) and in the Stuart Road area.

Overall crime reports increased significantly early in the year but have levelled out during the last 6 months. Crime levels often drop during winter.

In total 593 crimes were reported in west York during August.

Public urged to be vigilant against Cybercrime

North Yorkshire Police (NYP) has launched a campaign in the fight against Cybercrime.

The campaign, which will run throughout October, aims to raise awareness of the threat of this complex type of crime and encourage people to be more vigilant.

Information about the most common online threats and scams in North Yorkshire will be published via social media channels, along with prevention advice.

Modern technology such as mobile devices and international computer gaming is now a part of everyday modern society.
(more…)

Drugs and housing – mixed messages

Two Councillors were using the media to tell the York Council what it should be doing last week. One was right, the other wrong.

Drugs

One commentator hit the nail of the head. She said that the scale of drug abuse problems in the city should be more generally understood.

She was right to do so.

While local police officers often conduct high profile drugs raids, the level of reports – for what some regard as a victim less crime – almost certainly disguises the real level of abuse.

Crime stats reveal that only 202 drug related crime reports were made in the City during the year ending in July. This was 2.8% of the total crimes reported.

This compares to 3510 reports of “anti social behaviour” during the same period.

Anecdotal evidence paints a different picture.

York’s public toilets are frequently misused by drug users who leave their paraphernalia lying around. This poses a threat to other users and to cleaning staff.

So more candour about drug related issues is needed.

Newbury Avenue

A snide contribution from a Heworth Ward Councillor claimed that the development of flats on the Newbury Avenue garage site should go ahead immediately.

Cars parked on grassed amenity area in Windsor Garth

She clearly had little knowledge of the scale of problems already evident in the area mainly as a result of the late running development of the Our Lady’s school site.

Acute parking problems and traffic issues have been exacerbated by the development while road surfaces – and in particular the speed tables – have been badly damaged.

Some residents are now resorting to parking on grassed amenity areas (see photo right) while the Council still refuses to release much needed estate improvement funding to the area “because to doesn’t have a residents association”.

The Council is right to pause any additional building work in the area at least until it sorts out existing issues with public services.

Had Enough!’ code of conduct shared in bars and railway

Bars, restaurants and clubs across York city centre have been visited by police and council licensing officers who have distributed and discussed the code of conduct. Also, train operating companies and British Transport Police have shared the code with people travelling to York.

This is the next phase in a drive to clamp down on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour caused by a minority but which impacts on the enjoyment of the majority. It forms part of work by the new partnership of City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police (NYP) and British Transport Police (BTP), train operating companies, York Racecourse and city centre licensed premises, as well as Make It York and York Bid.

There are two codes in operation: one handed out to railway users and another posted in licensed premises in York city centre.

The codes state that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated on the train or the station, in the street or in licensed premises. It says York’s city centre licensed premises have agreed not to allow inflatables, language or fancy dress which are considered offensive or inappropriate. They state they will not admit large groups (only at the licence holder’s discretion) or people they believe to be drunk. They won’t allow alcohol to be drunk that has not been purchased on the premises and will not tolerate anti-social behaviour. The code also makes it clear that details of anyone who is refused entry or asked to leave will be shared with other licensed premises and the police.

Major police operation to clamp down on York burglaries

An operation to protect York residents against a new garage burglary ‘exploit’ saw dozens of properties visited and more than 100 items security marked in a single night.

On Tuesday 15 September, one police officer and eight PCSOs from York North Safer Neighbourhood Team, boosted by the support of 12 Special Constables, took to the streets of Rawcliffe.

The clampdown follows a significant rise in burglaries in the area, often involving offenders exploiting a weakness in certain garage doors in order to steal property, particularly pedal cycles.

Residents in the Rawcliffe area were shown how criminals commit such burglaries, and given advice on how to simply and effectively secure their garages in response.

Officers also brought with them three ‘dot peen’ marking kits which were made available to residents to get their property security marked and registered. In total, 66 bikes were marked, as well as 17 tablets, 12 laptops and 11 other items including phones and guitars.

Officers visited every property in Beaverdyke, Angram Close, Leighton Croft, Eldwick Close, Swinsty Court, Chelkar Way, Baden Court, Fewston Drive, Lindley Road, Barnby Close, Ebsay Drive, Lanshaw Croft, Redmires Close, Whitley Close, Haythorth Close, Handley Close, Wellesley Close and Bransholme Drive.

When there was no answer, a letter was posted through the door offering crime prevention advice and inviting people to a dot peen property marking drop-in session on 26 September 2015 at Clifton Moor Church and Community Centre from 6pm to 8pm. More information about dot peen is available at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/whatisdotpeen

PC Steve Gillespie, of York North Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I’d like to stress the importance of adding additional security measures to your garages to ensure that you too do not become a burglary victim.

“I strongly recommend the installation of security measures such as garage defenders or ground anchors. I am sure the cost of having to replace stolen items will far outweigh the cost of installing this equipment.

“Furthermore, allowing the police to mark your items – such as pedal cycles, gardening tools, golfing equipment, mobile phones and almost anything else you can think of – ensures that our chances of reuniting you with your property, should it be lost or stolen, are greatly increased. It also assists us in ensuring that the North Yorkshire Police area remains the safest place in England.”

The crime prevention campaign will continue, and officers have stepped up patrols in the area, including patrols in marked and unmarked vehicles, and on marked and unmarked bikes throughout the night.

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity is urged to report it to the police immediately. Such reports assist officers in preventing crime and catching offenders with stolen property in their possession.

PC Gillespie praised the contribution of North Yorkshire Police Special Constables, volunteers with the same powers as full-time police officers: “Without the support of our colleagues from the Special Constabulary giving up their midweek evening to assist these patrols, it would not have been possible to visit as many people, on as many streets, or to have marked as much property as we did.”

Two boys, aged 16 and 14, were arrested on 13 September on suspicion of burgling a garage in the Rawcliffe area. Both have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

York Police issue cycle crime warning and appeal for domestic dispute witnesses

York City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team is proactively targeting those who are committing cycle crime in the city centre.

This week alone the team have made two significant arrests, following further investigation work, which has led to two people being charged with a number of cycle thefts.

Sgt Tim Craven of the York City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team said:

“The team are also actively patrolling the cycle racks in the city centre, and we are finding that some members of the public are not securing their cycles with a sufficient standard of lock.

“In some cases, cycles are being secured with cheap wire locks that can be very quickly and easily overcome making them an ideal target for a would-be thief. I want to reassure the public that cycle crime does remain low, but we are asking that cyclists correctly secure their bikes with a good standard of lock, to prevent their potential loss”

Alongside investing in a good quality bike lock to prevent theft; there are a number of things cyclists can do to ensure that, if stolen and recovered their bike can be returned to them.

By registering your bicycle model, make and frame number this assists the police in returning recovered bikes to their rightful owners. Your local police station can provide further advice.

Taking a clear, colour photograph of your bike and making a written record of its description, including any unique features, is also advised so that you can report it accurately if stolen.

Security marking the bicycle is also a good idea. York Police have recently invested in the top-of-the-range “dot peen” property marking machines and are offering the marking service free to York residents.

Dot peen marking involves using a tungsten carbide-tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number. The unique number will be entered onto the national Immobilise property register database, vastly increasing the chances that it will be reunited with its owner if it is lost or stolen.

For more cycle safety tips visit http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/cyclesafety or to find out when the next property marking event is taking place, follow your local York police team on Twitter at @snayorkcityeast @snayorknorth or @snayorkwest

Appeal following domestic dispute

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a an incident that occurred near to the junction of Piccadilly and Tower Street, close to the entrance of the car park to St Georges field in York.

It happened during what is described as ‘the morning rush hour’ on Wednesday 13 August 2015 and involved a 28-year-old woman and a man from York.

As a result of an incident the woman received substantial facial injuries after falling to the floor.

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 from anyone who tried to offer assistance to the couple.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Dc 616 Wright. You can also email Theresa.Wright@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 12150141784.

York Council catching up with complaints backlog

There seems to have been an improvement over the last few days with complaints, about several problems with street services, having been rectified by the York Council.

Last week we used “Fix My Street” to report problems with dumping, litter and full bins on Chesneys Field.

These issues have now been addressed.

Shame though that parts of the city centre are still blighted by graffiti.

Among the worst instances are the flood barriers on North Street but even as far out as Jubilee Terrace problems are occurring.

It is time that the, so called, Police/Council anti social behavior “hub” addressed this issue. There headquarters is, after all, within throwing distance of North Street!

Graffiti North Street

Graffiti Jubilee Terrace

« Previous
1
…
32
33
34
35
36
…
57
Next »