North Yorkshire Police make 111 drink and drug driving arrests in 30 days – 27 are in York

As the summer drink and drug drive campaign comes to an end North Yorkshire Police want to remind drivers that the fight against drink and drug driving is far from over.

111 arrests have been made as part of this summer’s campaign which has been running between 1st and 30th June. 40% of people arrested have been at least twice the legal drink drive limit and 12% have been three times the legal limit. In the same campaign last year only 6% were found to be over 3 times the limit, which is an alarming increase.

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Over 14% of those arrested were found to be under the influence of drugs with 10 people providing positive samples on new drug testing devices. In total Police have carried out over 850 breath tests during the campaign.

70 people have already been charged to appear in court.

Of those cases, Magistrates have been handing out some hefty fines and lengthy bans:

A 35-year-old man was arrested on the A1(M) near Sinderby with a reading of 78ug per 100ml of breath. He was given a £550 fine and ordered to pay £240 court costs along with a 46 month ban.

An 18-year-old man, arrested in Selby with a reading of 59ug per 100ml, received a £581 fine and was ordered to pay £285 court costs. He also received a 16 month driving ban.

Sgt Andy Morton of North Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Group said; “Whilst we are pleased we have taken these dangerous drink and drug drivers off the road, it’s very disappointing that people still continue to ignore the warnings and drink or take drugs and get behind the wheel. Not only are they a danger to themselves, they put everyone else on the road at risk.

“Drivers should be assured that drink and drug driving will continue to be a priority for us for the rest of the year. Whilst the national summer campaign may be over, the fight against drink and drug driving in North Yorkshire is not.”

He continued “We are out on the roads looking for people breaking the law. No matter what time of year it is, if you choose to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, we are out there and we will catch you. You will face a court appearance, a hefty fine, a driving ban and the possibility of a prison sentence.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public who contacted us about suspected drink and drug drivers. This has assisted us throughout this campaign, enabling us to take these people off the roads. Two drivers of heavy goods vehicles, one a tanker and one carrying steel, were amongst those stopped as a direct result of information from the public.

“I appeal to members of the public that if they have information about anyone who is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass the details to the Force Control Room.

“For those who would prefer to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. You could save someone’s life.”

1 July 2015

York police invite residents to observe stop and search in action

Police in North Yorkshire are giving people the opportunity to see stop and search powers in action from today.

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.

Chief Inspector Mark Grange, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “By introducing ‘lay observation’, a process of two-way learning can take place, bringing the police closer to the public.

“Under this scheme the police have the opportunity to demonstrate their use of stop and search, while members of the public will be provided with the opportunity to see stop and search in action, and provide feedback based on their observations.

“I would encourage anyone interested in observing stop and search in action to visit our website to find out more.”

Applicants will need to be voluntarily vetted prior to being approved to accompany an officer, and will need to be flexible regarding the hours they accompany an officer and the area where they patrol. A number of other restrictions apply, which are outlined on the application form.

To find out more about the use of stop and search by North Yorkshire Police, visit www.northyorkshire.police.uk/stopsearch. To apply online to join the Stop and Search Lay Observer Scheme, visit www.northyorkshire.police.uk/layobserver.

Security campaign makes its mark on York’s allotments

A new scheme to deter crime in York’s allotments has been sown by City of York Council and partners.

Bootham Stray Allotment Association, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Safer York Partnership (SYP) and North Yorkshire Police (NYP) are among those digging in with the council to back a campaign to mark and record property in the city, starting off with plot holders’ equipment used in the city’s allotments.

As part of the new ‘York Allotments Against Crime’ campaign, a bid to fund a security marker was made by Bootham Stray Allotment Association – with support from City of York Council – to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund. The funds were awarded and a security marker has been bought. It will be used to engrave the property of allotment holders across the city at drop-in marking sessions starting on Saturday 4 July. Other markers funded by Safer York Partnership and North Yorkshire Police have been bought for wider use across the city.

Allotment plot holders have been invited to a number of property marking events which start on 4 July and run until September. The timetable is at https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/2488/tool_marking_event
Once an item is marked, an officer will record it on the police database, so if it is stolen and retrieved it can be more quickly returned to its owner and, if possible, used as evidence.

Spinach

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at City of York Council, said:

“We have very popular allotments in York which we want residents to enjoy in as secure an environment as possible. With this scheme we are encouraging plot holders to ensure their equipment is securely stored, and that it’s security marked to help deter theft.”
(more…)

Consultation starts on a new approach to combat street drinking in The Groves area

The council is considering extending the area covered by restrictions on the consumption of alcohol in public, by introducing a new Public Space Protection Order for Union Terrace and The Groves

Following increased reports of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the area and a neighbourhood petition being submitted voicing concerns, the council has been working with police and residents to consider appropriate, additional measures.

Introducing a PSPO would mean that any person within the area who is asked by a police or council officer to stop drinking alcohol in public and who fails to do so, could be given a maximum on-the-spot fixed penalty notice of £100.

Councillor David Carr, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “We want to support local residents and businesses to combat nuisance and their feedback and evidence given to consultation will be used as part of an application to create a new PSPO. Innovative and collaborative solutions like these to reduce anti-social behaviour are an important aspect to our approach and I welcome all constructive contributions from those interested.”

The Groves is currently outside the existing Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) on Union Terrace or the Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ) which extends within the city walls, Micklegate and the area around the station.

The consultation ends on 27 July and is at https://www.york.gov.uk/consultations

Police surgery in Foxwood on 8th July

York Police getting ready for anti social behaviour peak

The media are reporting that the police intend to have a major drive against anti social behaviour during the upcoming school holidays.

It will be the first push of its kind since 2009.

Stats released by the Police confirm that incidents of anti social behaviour peak in July and August (an interesting interactive map can be viewed by clicking here – covers all types of crime giving its location down to local neighbourhoods)

click to access interactive web site

More local information can be found here. It details reported crimes at street level. The latest figures are for April 2015 http://www.police.uk/north-yorkshire/york-west/crime/

We hope that the local Police commanders will ensure that sub-urban areas receive a fair share of enforcement resources and that PCSOs patrols are maintained – as a minimum – at historic levels.

We remain unconvinced that the decision to centralise anti social behaviour work into a “hub” at West Offices has worked

The Councils decision to promote York as a “Party City” has also backfired with rowdy groups producing an intimidating atmosphere in some parts of the City centre even during the day (as well as the evening). That policy needs to be reviewed quickly

The Council must also ensure that its activities programmes for younger people are refreshed. The May issue of their Shine magazine can be downloaded by clicking here

The last Council drastically cut Youth Services while at the same time removing subsidies from local community centres. The latter decision means that centres are now dependent entirely on voluntary effort to stay open. With potential volunteers often working themselves during the day, that could mean that valuable community resources could lie unused for much of the summer.

All in all, the York Council and its partners need to rethink their approach to crime and the causes of crime.

Young people wanted as police launch first cadet unit in York

North Yorkshire Police is recruiting young people for its first ever uniformed Volunteer Police Cadet Unit in York.

A pilot scheme is set to run for two years and is open to girls and boys aged 14 to 16 who live or study in or near York.

The scheme is being run in partnership with Askham Bryan College where cadet training sessions will take place on weekday evenings during school term.

Temporary Inspector Martin McLachlan who is leading the scheme, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people in the York area to do something different. The aim of the cadet scheme is to encourage a spirit of adventure, good citizenship and increase self-esteem and confidence. It will also help to promote a practical understanding of policing among young people and aims to inspire them to participate positively in their communities.

“It is open to anyone from any background, as long as they live or study in or near York. If the York pilot scheme is successful, it will pave the way for other units to open across North Yorkshire.

“It will be great fun and the cadets will meet new people and make new friends as well as learning skills for life. And, thanks to Askham Bryan College’s partnership with us, we will have great facilities in which to hold our cadet nights.”

The unit is set to open in September 2015 and after the first three months of initial training, cadets will take their oath at a passing out ceremony attended by family and friends.
(more…)

Police say increase in high drink drive readings is worrying

The crack down on drink and drug driving continues with North Yorkshire Police planning a number of targeted operations over the coming weeks.

540 breath tests have been conducted with 61 arrests having been made so far.

Of particular concern from the arrests already made are the high levels of alcohol being detected.

Alarmingly 20% of those arrests have provided samples three times over the legal limit (35 micrograms per 100ml). During the same campaign last year only 6% of arrests provided readings of this level.

The highest reading taken so far was from a 58-year-old man arrested in the Malton area, who blew 139ug – just under four times the legal limit. He was later charged to Scarborough Magistrates’ Court and received a driving ban for 34 months and was ordered to pay £295 costs and carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

A 42-year-old man who appeared at York Magistrates’ Court with a reading of 123ug/100ml received a 12 week suspended prison sentence, along with a 36 month ban and £315 costs to pay.

Four further cases have appeared in court this week; all received driving bans and hefty fines.

New road side drug screening devices are also helping North Yorkshire Police catch those driving under the influence of drugs. 13 arrests have been made so far due to positive drugs tests with three positive results for cannabis.

Sgt Andy Morton of the Roads Policing Group said “These prosecutions show that if people choose to break the law and drive under the influence of drink or drugs – we are out in force and waiting to catch you. Be assured, when we do, you will face a hefty fine and the possibility of a prison sentence.”

“If you are going out to have a drink ensure you have thought about how you will get home at the end of the night – leave your car at home.”

“We continue to appeal to members of the public that if they know of someone driving under the influence of drink or drugs – please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Police exhibition on tour

North Yorkshire residents are invited to discover the trends that are shaping policing through a special new exhibition that is touring across the county.

“Policing in North Yorkshire” will take place at the following venues throughout June and early July:

1 and 2 June – Milton Rooms, Malton
3 and 4 June – St Peter’s Church, Harrogate
11 and 12 June – Spurriergate Centre, York
15 and 16 June – Hawdon Institute, Selby
23 and 24 June – Town Hall, Skipton
25 and 26 June – The Street, Scarborough
29 and 30 June – Rural Arts Centre, Thirsk
1 July – Richmond Town Hall, Richmond

The exhibition will give an insight into the number and type of incidents the police deal with in a year, the different roles within policing, and how the police are using technology to target criminal activity. It will also outline the way that North Yorkshire police plans to work in the community in the future.

Commenting on the exhibition, Chief Constable Dave Jones said:

“People are hearing a lot in the news about cuts to police budgets, and it is no secret that all police services are facing financial challenges. But here in North Yorkshire we are working hard to find more efficient and effective ways to protect communities, and we want to share that approach with the public. This exhibition is a great way for people to discover what is happening at North Yorkshire Police, so I hope that people will find a few minutes to come along.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, Julia Mulligan, said:

“The financial situation means that all public services are having to make some tough decisions – including the police – so it is important that we help everyone to understand the issues. I’m looking forward to meeting people at these events, and sharing the direction of travel for the North Yorkshire Police.”

All “Policing in North Yorkshire” events are free to attend. Event details and booking is available at: www.nypolice.eventbrite.co.uk

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