Police investigate “potentially devastating” Tudor Road arson

Detectives in York have issued a CCTV still following an act of arson in the city as they appeal for the public’s help to identify the suspect.

CCTV still of Acomb arson suspect

It was reported to the police shortly after 12.50am on Tuesday 14 October 2014, by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who were dealing with a car fire on Tudor Road, Acomb.

The suspect was seen placing something underneath a BMW before setting it on fire.

After the incident, the person responsible headed towards Hamilton Drive.

As a result of the fire, the BMW 3 series was completely destroyed and a Citroen Berlingo and a Mazda were damaged. The front of the house was also damaged by the fire.

Detective Sergeant Mark Jackson, of York CID, said: “The act of arson took place very close to the house where people were sleeping. This fire could easily have led to potentially devastating consequences.

“If you recognise the person captured on camera, or saw someone matching their description in the Tudor Road, Gale Lane or Middleton Road areas around the time of the fire, I urge you to contact the police immediately.

“I am also keen to speak to anyone who works at local garages who may have sold fuel to someone filling a petrol can, and ask them to get in touch straight away.”

Anyone who can assist with this investigation should contact York CID on 101, select option 2 and ask for the department by name. Alternatively, information can be emailed to yorkcid@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference number 12140177124.

Volunteers needed to help vulnerable young people

York’s Youth Offending Team is looking for volunteers to help support some of the city’s most vulnerable young people.

The team is looking for people to act as:

· An Appropriate Adult, supporting young people who have been arrested and are being detained and interviewed at the police station;

· A General Volunteer, working with children eight-17 years of age to help prevent them getting involved in offending; visiting and writing to young people in prison, and supporting young people with their bail conditions.

· A Mentor Volunteer, taking part in leisure and social activities with a young person and helping them tackle personal issues.

Experience of working with young people is beneficial but not essential. Training and support will be provided.

Angela Crossland, York Youth Offending Service Manager, City of York Council, said: “Volunteering with young offenders or young people at risk of offending can be challenging, but it can also be enormously rewarding. Many of the young people we work with don’t have a responsible adult in their life who they can trust so the volunteering roles are incredibly important. I’d urge anyone who thinks they have the skills and the time we need to get in touch.

For more information call alison.cammiss@york.gov.uk or ring on 01904 554565

Acomb Wood Drive store theft: images released

Police have released CCTV images of two people they would like to speak to in connection with a shop theft in York.

Acomb Stills

At around 6.45pm on 27 June 2014, a man and a woman entered Tesco on Acomb Wood Drive and took alcohol and food from the shelves before leaving the store without paying.

Acomb Stills 1 Displays a larger version of this image in a new browser window

Officers are appealing to anyone who recognises the people pictured in the images to contact them with information.

Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for PC Gemma Churchward or York police.

Alternatively, information can be emailed to gemma.churchward@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you prefer not to give your name, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12140105226 when passing information about this incident.

 

Mobile safety camera routes York area

Below are the enforcement locations for North Yorkshire Police’s mobile safety cameras for week commencing 13 August 2014.

North Yorks speed camera vanThe safety cameras are now more visible then ever before with each of the three vehicles bearing the same hi-vis livery as North Yorkshire Police’s marked vehicle fleet. Photos attached.

All safety camera locations are published on the force website along with an explanation of the various route types.

Members of the public can now view the results of the safety camera enforcement activity on the force website. Up to date data for the previous week is uploaded every Tuesday which can be interrogated by route and date ranges.  http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/10951

The mobile safety cameras will be in operation at the following sites at various times over the coming week. Cameras will not be in use all day, every day. The locations were accurate when this news release was produced.

Due to operating constraints, our mobile safety camera locations may change without prior warning.

  • The cameras operate at three difference types of site, these are:
    •Exceptional sites which are identified through the speed management protocol as being of community concern.
    •Motorcycle routes – route used by motorcycles that have a high incidence of collisions and anti social behaviour.
    •Killed or seriously injured – sites where people have been killed or seriously injured and where excess or inappropriate speed has been deemed to be a factor.

The list below now includes the site types.

  • A1237 Monks Cross, York – Motorcycle
  • A64 east-bound, Heslington York – Killed or seriously injured
  • A64 west-bound, Heslington York – Killed or seriously injured
  • A64 west-bound, Street Houses, Bilborough – Killed or seriously injured
  • Millfield Lane, Poppleton, York – Community concern
  • Strensall Road, Huntington, York – Community concern
  • Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, York – Community concern
  • Church Lane, Wheldrake – Community concern
  • Greenshaw Drive, Haxby – Community concern

(more…)

Man stabbed in Stuart Road

Make your home BurglarProof with new app

North Yorkshire Police has launched an online app to help you make sure you don’t become the victim of burglars.

NYP App Store

BurglarProof is a quick and easy step-by-step guide to help you assess your home’s security.

A quarter of all burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves taking advantage of an unlocked door or window.

Homes that don’t have basic security devices, such as window locks and sturdy door locks, are far more likely to be broken into.

BurglarProof features:
(more…)

It’s enough to drive you to a summit!

There has been a lot of talk over the last few weeks of declining standards of behaviour on York’s’ City centre streets.new_years_drunk_5

Much of the decline has been put down to excessive alcohol consumption.

Some blame changes to the licensing laws which allow pubs and clubs much longer opening hours than were common 25 years ago.

It appears that the Licensing committee has failed to get tough with breaches of licensing conditions (selling alcohol to those who are already drunk) although alcohol consumption on City Centre streets and parks is now banned. Those making representations to the committee against extended alcohol sales are usually ignored.

If York has enough outlets with licenses to sell alcohol – and it certainly appears to – then a presumption against increasing the number might be a start. But a drift towards 1920’s style Prohibition is not a palatable solution in a modern liberal society.

Individuals must take responsibility for their own actions.

Others blame the Council which appears to have imperceptibly changed its marketing strategy from “a City of Festivals” to “Party City” over the last few years

What the debate lacks is facts.

Just how many reports of drunken behaviour, and arrests for alcohol related offences, have taken place over the months and years and how does this compare to similar City’s elsewhere?

Are those responsible locals? Is it a relatively small number of individuals involved on a recurring basis?

What options are available?

The Council Leaders fail safe solution to any difficult problem is to call a “summit”.

Although those attending any such conference might get a warm (non alcoholic) glow from attending and exchanging opinions it will have little practical effect if research and public consultation is not undertaken first.

Cooler weather (and tempers) may buy the City a few months grace during which an anti alcohol abuse strategy can be developed.

NB. The Council has today published a study which claims that alcohol fuelled problems have reduced over the last 3 years. It claims that fewer people attending A&E are drunk!

Security advice offered following York burglaries

Detectives in York are appealing for information and reminding homeowners about home security after two burglaries in the city.Burglar

They occurred at separate properties on Monkgate Cloisters at 5.40am and 6.10am on Saturday 26 July 2014.

Nothing was stolen from either of the premises. However, at the second property the burglar started a fire causing a small amount of damage.

Around the time of the burglaries, a man was seen in the area. He is described as white, aged in his late 20s, approximately 6ft tall, with an athletic build and short dark hair. He was clean shaven and had a large tattoo on the left hand side of his neck. The man was wearing a black crew neck t-shirt, blue jeans and red trainers.

Detective Inspector Alan Rowan, of York CID, said: “If you were in the Monkgate Cloisters area at the time of the burglaries and noticed anyone acting in a suspicious manner, or believe you may have seen this man, I urge you to come forward and contact the police straight away.”

Detective Inspector Rowan added: “While we are having this spell of warm weather, can I please remind homeowners to keep doors and windows securely locked. Even if you are in the house, an open window provides opportunist thieves with an easy target. They will be in and out of your home within moments having stolen your personal items.”

For more information about home security please visit www.northyorkshire.police.uk/crimeprevention.

Anyone who can assist with this investigation should contact York CID, select option 2 and ask for the department by name. Alternatively, information can be emailed to yorkcid@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference number 12140124663.