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.

Drunks

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

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

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.

Crime up in Westfield

 Compared to this time last year the number of crimes in the ward is currently up standing at 122 compared to 113 last year.

click to access more information

click to access more information

The main increases are in violence, arson/criminal damage and burglary.

 Anti Social Behaviour is also up over the last 3 months compared to this time last year.

The police say this is down to the problem that they are having on Acomb Green with large groups of youths gathering there.

Residents have, however, begun to note similar problems developing in other areas including Foxwood – where there was a serious case of vandalism only last week

Details of local crime levels can be found by clicking here.

The expectation is that the new coalition run Council will review urgently the effectiveness of the so called “anti social behaviour hub” which concentrated neighbourhood policing resources into West Offices in the City centre when it was established 2 years ago.

The plan was criticised at the time for reducing the number of dedicated community constables, breaking long established links between community groups and local police officers who really understood neighbourhoods and residents.

Westfield used to have 2 identified police constables and 4 PCSOs.  That is no longer the case and resources seem to be thin on the ground as we enter the summer period when street level crime often increases.

The Police no longer publish information indicating which officers serve which wards and neighbourhoods although some police surgeries do still take place. None are currently advertised on the west York Police web page

It looks like prompt action is now required to reassure residents about policing policies and resource allocations.

Cyclist hit by stone thrown from car near Askham Bryan – Police appeal

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an incident that occurred near to Askham Bryan village, York.

100x66Crest

It happened on Askham Bryan Lane between 11.35am and 11.45am on 13 April 2015.

A 30-year-old woman was cycling towards the A1237 from the village when she was passed by what she believed to be a black Peugeot 107 travelling in the opposite direction containing several young males. As the car passed the front passenger threw a stone over the top of the car toward the cyclist, the stone hit her on her leg causing an injury.

Fortunately the cyclist was not injured badly in this incident but this could have easily have resulted in more serious injuries.

We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

In particular, we are appealing for information from anyone who may be aware of this incident and has any information regarding it.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for York Service Desk.

You can also email sntservdesk@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12150060136.

‘It’s not OK’ child sexual abuse awareness campaign launches 11 May 2015

A joint child sexual abuse awareness campaign between City of York Safeguarding Children Board (CYSCB) and the NSPCC launches in York on Monday 11 May.

The aim of the ‘It’s not OK’ campaign is to help ensure that parents, carers, children and young people, professionals and the general public know how to recognise the signs of child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, where to get help and advice, and increase confidence in saying or doing something to stop the abuse.

This year-long multi-agency campaign, the first of its type for the NSPCC in England, will have four distinct phases, with each targeting a different audience. Information, resources and campaign materials will all be available in one place – the new sexual abuse and sexual exploitation website for York: www.itsnotokay-york.org.uk

(more…)

More Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras on York streets.

Criminals warned as £1m Camerahi-tech crime-fighting project steps up

North Yorkshire Police’s £1m hi-tech investment programme to tackle travelling criminals is gaining momentum with the opening of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Hub.

ACC Kennedy in ANPR Hub

The ANPR Hub is based in the Force Control Room with dedicated staff who will monitor and assess real time information relating to vehicles identified as being connected to criminality and build up intelligence about their movements.

This latest move is part of an ongoing £1m investment in ANPR which also includes new, rapidly deployable cameras, more mobile cameras, fixed site cameras and in-car cameras as well as the fitting of ANPR cameras to some of the force’s mobile safety cameras and the introduction of a second Road Crime Team.

North Yorkshire Police already uses ANPR which has proved to be a highly effective tool, particularly in support of Operation Hawk, the force’s campaign to protect our communities from travelling and cross-border offenders.
(more…)

Appeal for information following York burglary

burglar2Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a burglary in Lastingham Terrace, York.

101

The incident occurred between Thursday 23 April and Wednesday 29 April while the occupants were away. The offenders are thought to have used a cushion cover and rucksacks to remove the items during the night.

Distinctive property worth about £6,000 was stolen, including Chinese ivory figurines, silver plates and clocks. You can see images at https://www.facebook.com/NorthYorkshirePolice/posts/10153252499081070

Officers are appealing to any witnesses who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area and along the riverside or who might have been offered the items for sale to get in touch. Please contact DC Peter Wilson of the York Investigation Hub, by dialling 101 and selecting option 2.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12150070440 when passing on information relating to this incident.

 

Details of 247 “anti social behavior” cases released by York Council

anti social behavior

The York Council has been forced to release details of the 247 cases of anti social behaviour which it claims that its new “hub” has dealt with.
The list includes the general location of the cases and the type of problem caused.
However the stats are not broken down by ward and  individual addresses have not been published.
The list can be found by clicking here

Woman, 21, robbed by three masked men in Foxwood


A WOMAN has been assaulted and robbed by three men wearing scarves over their faces in Foxwood.

The 21-year-old was on a path between Rogers Court and Lydham Court in Acomb when she was approached from behind by three men, assaulted and money was taken from her purse.
The robbery happened on April 1 at about 7.15pm.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for any information about the attack.

The attackers are described as a man wearing a grey tracksuit top and bottoms, with a dark blue Adidas logo on the top left side of his top. His face was covered with a plain black scarf.

Another was about 6ft tall, wearing a black Nike hooded top, with a distinctive skull-patterned scarf covering his face.

The other was a man wearing blue “Cross Hatch” jeans and a blue hooded top with a red logo on the top left side. He was wearing a distinctive pink and blue scarf across his face.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Ben Stevens – or email benjamin.stevens@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Please quote incident number 12150053766 when passing on any information about this incident.