11% increase in crime in York

“Hate crime” figures up from 108 in 2014/15 to 141 in 2015/16

Performance figures released by the Council confirm that there has been a significant increase in crime levels in the City.

Crime levels up. “Hate” crime increasing

During 2015/16, there were a reported 12,018 crimes for the York area, a total of 1,211 more than those reported during 2014/15.

Increases have been seen in violent crime, criminal damage and the burglary of non-dwelling properties.

Detailed crime figures reveal that the number of complaints about “hate” crimes (such as racially motivated abuse) were on the increase even before the recent referendum result served to highlight the issue even more.

Residents will have to search if they want to find KPI data for public services.

The figures are not being reported to the Executive meeting taking place tomorrow.

However, they are available by clicking here.

Unfortunately many of the tables do not include comprehensive target information and most of the customer satisfaction measures haven’t been updated since 2013.

LibDems take action as vandals strike west York

As we reported yesterday, crime levels are becoming an increasing concern in York.

Over the weekend a telephone kiosk on Thanet Road and a litter bin on Woodthorpe Green were both damaged.

Burnt out bin on Woodthorpe Green

Vandalised phone box

Another unusual hazard has arisen on St Stephens Road. Bees are swarming in a tree there. We hope to get a bee keeper to take them away.

Bees swarming in a tree in St Stephens Road

Elsewhere more mundane issues have been reported by Andrew Waller following one of his periodic inspection tours.

Speed cushion on Kingsway West is breakign up

Speed cushion on Kingsway West is breaking up

A speed cushion on Danesfort Avenue requires attention

Dumping on Middleton Road has been reported

A pothole on Windsor Garth has been reprted

A pothole on Windsor Garth has been reported

Full poop scoop bin on the Foxwood Park has been reported for emptying

Finally some good news with the flower tubs on Beagle Ridge Drive – which are sponsored by the residents association – having been planted out by volunteers

Volunteers have planted out the tubs on Beagle Ridge Drive which are beginnign to look good.

Volunteers have planted out the tubs on Beagle Ridge Drive which are beginning to look good.

Crime levels almost double in Westfield over 5 month period

Call for local policing shake up

Crime incidents in Westfield April 2016

The latest crime figures for York – which cover the period up to April 2016 – have revealed spiraling problems with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage incidents in some neighbourhoods.

In Westfield crime levels increased from 117 incidents, reported in December 2015, to 201 reported in April. Although crime levels are seasonal – the summer usually sees higher levels – recent trends are worrying.

During the last year there were 926 reports of anti-social behaviour. This represented half of all crime reported in the Westfield area. Other problem categories included violence and sexual offences 285 reports (15% of the total) and criminal damage 215 reports (11.5%)

Of the reports, the Police decided to take no further action in 63% of cases. In only 15% of cases was an offender actually taken to court.

We have said before that the centralisation of anti-social behaviour resources into a “hub” in Toft Green does not appear to have been in the best interests of sub-urban areas. The important link between named “community constables”, painstakingly built up during the last decade, has been lost.

Crime trends in Westfield area

In a survey, currently being conducted in the Westfield ward by local Councillors, only 30% of respondents have so farsaid that they know the name of a local police or community support officer.

The police rarely advertise local surgeries although to some extent the property marking programme fulfils this need. The West Neighbourhood policing team also “tweet” quite a lot which is helpful for those that use that channel.

On the other hand the relaunched Community Messaging Service has so far generated few warnings and little advice on local York matters.

We feel that the Police must make more use of community noticeboards, local newsletters and various web sites.

The York Councils news page for Westfield contains no information about crime and policing activities at all.

It also would be nice to see a crime reporting and advice desk established at the Acomb Explore Library. It is a building which is genuinely becoming a local information hub in the best sense of the word.

These, and other ideas for dealing with crime, need to be part of an ongoing public discussion involving the police, Councillors and residents.

Petition aims to get lighting on Walmgate Stray footpath

Following a series of assaults in the Walmgate Stray area a petition has been started aimed at getting lighting provided on the footpaths.

The petition can be found by clicking here

CCTV faults down in York

A few years ago there was widespread concern that CCTV cameras were not being monitored 24/7 in the City.

CCTV cartoon The latest figures, released by the Council in response to an FOI request, suggest that coverage and reliability is much improved.

There have been no gaps in the rota for manning the monitoring screens this year.

There have been 27 faults reported on individual cameras so far in 2016. The site with the most faults has been that located at the Castle car park.

There are nearly 100 CCTV cameras operational in York. Some are deployed to monitor traffic conditions but the main function of many is to deter crime and assist police in tracking offenders.

An ‘Incident Log’ is a live record maintained by CCTV Operators of any incidents that they have actively been involved in and taken action on. The overwhelming majority of these incidents are related to potential crimes or police-related activity.

During the last 12 months period, there have been 5766 relevant incidents.

Looking at the two cameras located in the Westfield Ward (Bramham Road & Front Street/York Road), 136 incidents were monitored

The incidents involved:

ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour)
Disqualified Driver
OPL (Drunk Drivers)
Shop Theft
Missing Persons
Robbery
Assault
Drunk and Disorderly

Both Front Street and Bramham Road remain as anti social behaviour blackspots.

Tool sharpening scam reported today

City of York Council is warning consumers and businesses to be aware of a possible scam.

Cold callers have been offering to sharpen tools as a free trial. However, when the cold callers come back to return the tools, they then demand a substantial payment.

The council has been contacted by an organisation in York which has experienced this approach and North Yorkshire Police has also had a report from a company in Easingwold.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “Residents and companies concerned about this kind of approach should either call the Consumer Helpline on 0345 4040506 or North Yorkshire Police on 101.”

Police appeal to find York man wanted for recall to prison

Police in York are appealing for the public’s help to find 22-year-old Michael Daniel Warwick who is wanted for recall to prison.

Mr Warwick was released from prison on licence on 1 April 2016 after serving three months of a six-month prison sentence for burglary.

He has failed to adhere to his licence conditions and is now wanted for recall to prison.

Although he has no fixed address, his last known address was in York and he also has connections to Knottingley in West Yorkshire.

Officers have carried out a number of searches to locate Mr Warwick and as part of their enquiries, are appealing to anyone who has seen him or knows where he is now, to contact them.

Anyone with any information is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass information to the Force Control Room.

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

York’s largest security check campaign hits the 3,000 mark

The biggest ever crime prevention campaign York has ever seen has got underway – with more than 3,000 homes already security checked.

Dedicated patrols of police officers and PCSOs, supported by Special Constables, volunteers and Police Cadets, have been out across the city over the last two weeks.

So far, 3,046 households have been physically and visually checked to ensure they were left secure.

Unfortunately, in one particular area of York, 13% of the 500 homes that officers visited were insecure – for example, because a downstairs window had been left open or a front door unlocked.

Operation Joypad sees additional, high-visibility police patrols across York in May, June and July. When an insecure property is found, officers will contact the homeowner and provide suitable home security advice.

Statistically, around one in four burglaries are ‘crimes of opportunity’, where an offender enters a property through an unlocked door or window. Although York is a very safe city, such burglaries tend to increase in the summer months, as homeowners leave windows and doors open, or spend time in the garden.
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Police urge York visitors to enjoy themselves in the right way

Police are calling on people in York to enjoy themselves safely and in the right spirit, as the weather improves and visitor numbers increase.

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, police and council licensing officers will be distributing and discussing the code of conduct for people visiting York.

Sgt Nick Plumb, of York Police, said: “York city centre is busy on a weekend, with residents enjoying family time round the city, tourists sightseeing and people going about their day-to-day business.

“Our aim is for everyone to visit the city safely and enjoy its vibrant and historic atmosphere. That’s why we take a firm stance against anyone causing disruption. In particularly, we will target groups of visitors who travel to York and ‘preload’ themselves with alcohol, and then continue to drink excessively. If their behaviour is unacceptable we will take firm action, including the use of dispersal powers to remove them from the city centre.

“We are also reminding people that many families enjoy spending time in the city centre, and we would urge visitors not to bring inappropriate inflatable items, fancy dress or clothing with offensive slogans with them.”

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.

Officers received good feedback from the public and licensed premises when the code of conduct was launched last year as part of the multi-agency ‘Had Enough!’ campaign. As summer approaches, they are particularly keen to get the message across to visitors coming to York, such as those from outside the North Yorkshire area.

Sgt Plumb added: “We don’t want to stop visitors to York having a good time. We’re simply asking people to be aware of how much alcohol they consume, and how their behaviour affects others. Our aim is for everyone to feel safe and secure in the city centre.”

York Allotments Against Crime events to combat fire and theft

An extensive programme of allotment security events launches at Bustardthorpe Allotments on Sunday 8 May.

Organised as part of the ongoing York Allotments Against Crime (YAAC) campaign, the events will help to raise awareness of crime and fire prevention amongst allotment holders in the city.

City of York Council is working closely with North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and local allotment associations to offer friendly help and advice at events throughout the spring and summer.

North Yorkshire Police will be on hand to security mark allotment tools and property, so that if items are stolen they can be returned more quickly and possibly used as evidence. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will also be present at larger allotment sites to offer fire safety advice and undertake fire prevention health checks.

Crime and fire prevention advice will be available, emergencies permitting, on event days listed below:

•   Sunday 8 May    Bustardthorpe Allotments*
•   Sunday 15 May Howe Hill Allotments
•   Sunday 22 May Holgate Allotments*
•   Wednesday 25 May Strensall Allotments
•   Sunday 29 May Bootham Allotments*
•   Sunday 5 June Hob Moor Allotments
•   Sunday 5 June Low Moor Allotments*
•   Sunday 12 June Fulford Allotments
•   Wednesday 15 June Wigginton Road/Terrace Allotments
•   Sunday 19 June Green Lane Allotments*
•   Sunday 26 June Glen Allotments
•   Sunday 10 July Hempland Allotments*
•   Sunday 10 July New Lane Allotments
•   Sunday 17 July Scarcroft and Hospital Fields Allotments*
•   Sunday 24 July Carr Allotments

North Yorkshire Police will be present at all events and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be at those marked with an asterisk. Advice is available from 10am until 2pm except for the Wednesday sessions at Strensall and Wigginton Road Terrace, which take place from 4.30pm to 7pm.

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