Urgent warning following internet blackmail scam……Chief Constable schedules web chat

Detectives in York have issued an urgent warning after three men from the York area have been blackmailed by a woman claiming to be called Cathy Wong.

The woman has befriended them on Facebook and asked them to skype her. She has then enticed them into performing an indecent act which she has recorded on video.

She has then told the men, who are all students, that her grandmother is ill and needs money and has asked them each to send £3,000 via money transfer.

When they refused to send the money, she has threatened them with uploading the video to Youtube.

It is believed that the scam is occurring world wide, however these are the first cases reported in the York area. The men are not known to each other and officers are concerned that there may be other victims. Officers are exploring the possibility that the scam is operated by an organised crime group.

Police are urging internet users, particularly students, to be on their guard and to contact them if they believe they have been targeted. 

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Dyer of York CID, said: “This scam is causing considerable distress to the victims and I urge anyone who uses any kind of social networking site to be very wary of what they are getting into.

“I am concerned that there are other victims of this scam who are too embarrassed to come forward about what has happened. I urge them to please get in touch with the police. Your information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and with sensitivity. Please do not suffer in silence.”

To report an incident, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass information to the Force Control Room.

Or you can email Rebecca.dyer@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

You can also pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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#AskTheChief webchat: your chance to quiz the chief

Chief Constable Dave Jones is hosting a live webchat to give residents in North Yorkshire the opportunity to talk to him about crime and anti-social behaviour in their area.

Computer

Mr Jones will be online between 5pm and 6pm on Monday 12 January 2015,  at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/webchat.

He would like to discuss people’s experiences with North Yorkshire Police and to hear suggestions about how the policing service in the county can be further improved.

Cornlands Park entrance to be closed?

The Council is consulting residents about the possibility of gating one of the entrances to the Cornlands Road park.

Cornlands Park entrance closure proposal click to enlarge

Cornlands Park entrance closure proposal click to enlarge

The proposal comes after complaints about noise and vandalism from some residents.
Entrance to Cornlands Park 2
 Closure of the access would remove one of the potential “escape routes”

Following the work of the local residents association in getting new play equipment installed, the park is beginning to be more of an asset for the area.

However there are still problems with litter and the poop scoop bin needs to be replaced.

Some residents wish to see the area secured after nightfall.

 

New Police and Crime Plan for North Yorkshire

Julia Mulligan has published the refreshed Police and Crime Plan for North Yorkshire. This has followed an extensive consultation with the public, who have identified four priorities for North Yorkshire.

1.      Protect vulnerable people

2.      Cut crime and anti-social behaviour

3.      Focus on prevention and early intervention

4.      Improve victim care

Download a copy of the new Police and Crime Plan from  http://www.northyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/news/new-police-and-crime-plan-for-north-yorkshire/
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Word on the street is stay safe this Christmas

Staying safe is the word on the street this Christmas as North Yorkshire Police get under the feet of revellers in York and Scarborough.

York stencils

As part of the force’s Take Care at Christmas campaign, safety messages have been stencilled onto the pavements to remind people not to “tipple til you topple”, “see your mates home safe” and a reminder not to drink and drive.

The messages have been stencilled using a high pressure water jet into the pavement dirt at key locations.

York and Scarborough are two of the busiest areas during the Christmas party season and have the highest number of calls for service to North Yorkshire Police as a result of people drinking too much.

The messages are intended to remind people not to put their safety or other peoples’ at risk by drinking so much that they are out of control. And to act as a reminder to anyone contemplating drink driving that the police are on the look out for them.

Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The stencils are a great way to get our messages direct to the people we need to target.

“York has a bustling nightlife but it is vital that people know their limits and don’t put themselves or other people at risk by drinking too much.

“I hope the messages strike a chord with party goers and make them think about their own safety, getting home safe and looking after their friends.”

The messages have been stencilled in the following locations:

York

Lendal, George Hudson Street, Tanner Row, Micklegate, Swinegate, Lower Ousegate, Toft Green, Clifford Street, Stonegate, Parliament Square, Cumberland Street

Scarborough

York Place, Falconers Road, Harcourt Place, St Thomas Street, St Nicholas Street

14 arrests in unpaid fines crackdown -man fined for cycling on Front Street footpath

York police have been out in force to round up people with unpaid court fines.

During the operation, officers also arrested a 34-year-old man who was wanted on suspicion of burglary, theft from a motor vehicle and failing to attend court.

Officers also interviewed a 34-year-old man who they stopped on Front Street, Acomb, on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs. He was also given a ticket for cycling on the pavement (!)

A 57-year-old man had his car seized and was reported for summons to court after being stopped driving while disqualified.

On Thursday 4 December 2014, Officers, PCSOs, Special Constables and Court Enforcement Officers, arrested 14 people with outstanding fines and recovered £5,553 which was owed to the courts.

York Magistrates’ Court has issued a number of non-payment of fines warrants which have still to be enforced, many of which carry orders for immediate prison sentences.

Thursday’s operation was the latest in a series of planned days of action to locate people who haven’t paid their fines and put them back before the courts.

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Bogus calls warning in York

Residents are being alerted to a spate of unsolicited and potentially fraudulent telephone calls from someone purporting to be from City of York Council.

The caller, who withholds their number, claims to be from ‘York City Council’. Most calls appear to be from men who say they are aware that someone in the household has been in an accident or has witnessed an accident and that this could give rise to a claim.
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Victims of crime sought for Independent Justice Panel

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Jonathan Mortimer, the independent Chairman of the Out of Court Disposal Scrutiny Panel, are today asking for victims of crime to come forward to help scrutinise the use of police cautions and other non-court penalties.

PCC logo

The Panel was set up earlier in the year in response to public concern about the use of Out of Court Disposals in North Yorkshire. The Panel has identified that its objectives are to ensure that such penalties are used appropriately, consistently across the county and to make recommendations to North Yorkshire Police.
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CCTV issued after charity collection box stolen

York police are appealing for help to identify a man they would like to speak to in connection with the theft of a charity collection box which was stolen from Candy Hero in Coney Street in York.

CCTV issued after charity collection box stolen

The box and its contents belonged to the charity Special Needs Activities and Play Provision for York (SNAPPY) and was stolen at around 4pm on Sunday 10 August 2014.

Anyone who recognises the man from the CCTV image is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Hayley Rowbotham or email Hayley.rowbotham@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

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

Please quote reference number 12140135743 when passing on information.

New scheme to keep pubs trouble free in Acomb and the west of York

York police and partner agencies have teamed up with local publicans in the Acomb and west side of the city to help keep licensed premises trouble free.

So far, 17 pubs in the area have signed up to a new Pub Watch scheme which aims to prevent anti-social behaviour and criminal activity in and around licensed premises, helping to create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for customers.
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Witnesses sought after Acomb assault

York police are appealing for information after a woman was assaulted in the city.

It occurred at around 9.50pm on Wednesday 22 October 2014, on The Green, Acomb, close to the junction with Danebury Drive.

A 44-year-old woman was walking towards Tostig Avenue, when she was verbally abused by three men who were sitting on a bench. One of the group then approached the victim and punched her face. As a result she suffered bruising to her right cheek.
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