York crime and policing update

Chapelfields gets PCSO again

A new PCSO (Chris Simpson) has been appointed in to operate in the Chapelfields estate. There had been a few complaints about lack of policing profile in the estate over recent months.

During the time that the Acomb Police Station is being renovated, staff and volunteers will be using Sanderson House on Bramham Road as a base.

The volunteer front counter enquiry services will be available at Sanderson Court Community Centre at the following times:

  • Monday: 10am to noon;
  • Tuesday: 2pm to 4pm;
  • Wednesday: 6pm to 8pm;
  • Thursday: 6pm to 8pm;
  • Friday: 2pm to 4pm;
  • Saturday: 10am to noon; Sunday: Closed

 Police appeal after car damaged in Clifton Moor, York

Police are appealing for witnesses after a car was damaged at Clifton Moor in York.

The car, a red Ford Puma, was parked up at B&M on Stirling Road when it sustained damaged to the passenger side after being hit by another vehicle.

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Magazine theft suspect sought by police

York police have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a number of magazine thefts from a shop in the city centre.

WHS2

Over the past few weeks cycling and fishing magazines have been taken from WH Smith on Coney Street.

Officers are investigating the thefts and are urging anyone who recognises the man in the images to contact them with information

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The Chapelfields survey 2014

Preliminary results are available for this year’s public opinion survey which has been undertaken in the Chapelfields area.

Damaged verges a source of complaint

Damaged verges a source of complaint

Over 500 homes have been visited during the last couple of weeks.

The biggest complaint from residents was the lack of car parking space. Many verges have been damaged over the winter.

Asked what the York Councils should do to remedy the problem. most thought that more lay-bys should be provided.

1. Provide lay-bys

25%
2. Provide a new programme of dropped kerbs/verge crossovers

22%
3. Provide matrix style verge protection

20%
4. Provide off street parking in front of blocks of flats

19%
5. Bitmac vulnerable verges

12%
6. Leave things as they are

1%

Residents were also asked when they last saw a PCSOs or Police officer patrolling the estate. Here the results were disappointing with very few saying that they had seen an officer during the last 2 months.

This is much lower than was recorded 4 years ago.

Asked how they would like the Police to stay in contact, residents gave the following preference order.

1. Leaflets
2. Facebook
3. Meetings
4. Text
5. Telephone
6. Visits
7. Twitter

Residents were keen to see additional events provided at the local community centre. Those most mentioned were – in order –

  1. Youth Activities (primary school age)
  1. Youth Activities (secondary school age)
  1. Pre-school provision

46% said that dog fouling is a problem in their street, while 19%  had found it difficult to contact the Council to raise issues.

14% had found that the higher income tax thresholds introduced by the Coalition government had directly helped them.

Finally residents were asked to give their verdict on several controversial issues. Their responses were:

1. The York Council should take up the governments grant offer and freeze Council Tax levels Agree 79%
Disagree 7%
Unde 15%
2. I support the deployment of more “number plate recognition cameras” in York (a Labour Council plan which could lead to local motorists paying an additional £150,000 a year in fines). Agree 23%
Disagree 57%
Unde 20%
3. The Minster badge residents discount parking scheme should be retained Agree 85%
Disagree 1%
Unde 13%
4. The Council should spend more improving sub-urban and residential areas even if this means spending less on paving projects in the City centre Agree 80%
Disagree 7%
Unde 13%

The survey will be carried out in other parts of the Westfield Ward over forthcoming weeks.

Updated results will be published on this web site periodically

Move to get more parking places in Chapelfields

Damaged verge Bramham Avenue

Acute parking problems have developed on the Chapelfields estate over the winter months.

Many verges have been damaged and now residents – backed by local Liberal Democrats – are calling on the Council to take action.

One idea being put forward is the use of matrix grass protectors of the type used when providing off street parking spaces in other parts of Acomb. The matrix protectors have the advantages of looking like grass verges but are not subject to damage by vehicle over-runs.
WEB Damaged verge Barkston Avenue near pub

Other options being considered include bitmacing some verges, providing laybys, a new programme of dropped kerbs/verge crossovers and the provision of parking areas outside blocks of flats.

Residents are also collecting signatures on a petition which will be presented to the next York Council meeting.

It asks the Council to help to improve the condition of the Chapelfields area and, in particular, to resurface roads/footpaths, repair damaged fences, improve street sweeping, tackle anti social behaviour/crime, refurbish grassed areas, improve car parking and restore street furniture which has been damaged
Web Verge Damage Bramham Road

Matrix protection for grassed areas.

Matrix protection for grassed areas.

Acomb Police station closing for renovations

The Acomb Police station will be closed for a couple of months.

The public desk – which is manned by volunteers – is being relocated to Sanderson House Community Centre in Bramham Road, Chapelfields.

Details here

Meanwhile a survey being undertaken by Chapelfields LibDems has found that many residents feel that they don’t see a Police presence in local streets as often as in the past. Most want the Police to keep them up to date, with what is going on, through the distribution of leaflets. The main concern raised by residents is the lack of car parking provision on the estate.

Chapelfields residents start “improve our neighbourhood petition”

With Liberal Democrat backing, residents in the Chapelfields area have started a petition aimed at improving their estate.

Chapelfields Petition

Chapelfields Petition

Poor street sweeping

Poor street sweeping

Verge damage

Verge damage

Blocked footpaths

Blocked footpaths

Poorly maintained garage areas

Poorly maintained garage areas

Blocked drainage gulleys

Blocked drainage gulleys

Poor road surfaces

Poor road surfaces

Misaligned street signs

Misaligned street signs

Weed growth next to traffic islands

Weed growth next to traffic islands

Shameful lack of maintenance on Chapelfields garage areas

Marston Avenue garage area

Marston Avenue garage area

Labour Councillors plan to spend Thursday siting in a room on Front Street hoping that residents will come along and “tell them what is wrong”.

If they want to know. all they have to do is take a walk round the area.

On Chapelfields, for example, despite the Council having a record high surplus on its rent account (£13 million!), garage areas have been abandoned and are now overgrown and pothole riddled while some have become dumping grounds.

York deserves much better.