Seems like a good idea!
Local Police online event
Coronavirus York updates; 29th October 2020
Deaths and test results
ONE additional death at the York Hospital Trust was announced today. It occurred on Tuesday.
There were 52 (FIFTY TWO) additional positive test results announced today. That is the smallest increase for 2 weeks. The total number of cases is now 3589
By Sunday the rate per 100k population had fallen to 257.35. That is the smallest rate since 7th October.
Overall the number of cases in the City is now falling with more neighbourhoods now below national infection levels.
There maybe some cautious room for optimism
Those hoping for a return to Tier 1 status may have to wait for a while. York still has the highest infection rate in North Yorkshire albeit it is falling while some other areas are seeing an increase.
Around 1000 tests are being carried out each day in York. Positivity rates are steady at around 1 in 5.
The authorities are now publishing details of the age groups of York people testing positive for COVID. The highest number of cases continues to be concentrated in the 10 – 29 age range.
COVID impact on local crime levels
According to North Yorkshire Police the Office of National Statistics (ONS) quarterly crime report begins to reveal the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on crime in the county.
North Yorkshire Police’s crime reporting shows a level of consistency in crimes recorded year on year, although there are a number of notable changes through the months of March to June 2020.
Burglary, theft, vehicle crime and criminal damage a marked decrease which can be attributed to the national lockdown imposed on 23 March. Whilst violent crime showed a minor increase year on year thought to be a result of a change in reporting – this also experienced a decrease through the months of April and May, another change likely to be as a result of the lockdown.
In line with this, the number of sexual crimes recorded have decreased but reporting rates have not fallen at the same pace which positively indicates that victims still have the confidence to come forward and report incidents.
Levels of reported domestic abuse have continued to rise year on year, an increase which can partly be attributed to the requirement to record multiple crimes where stalking and/or harassment has occurred, rather than simply one crime per incident. Partner agencies, charities and other organisations which support domestic abuse victims have reported a rise in demand for their services over the last few months and Detective Superintendent, Allan Harder, explains more:
“Whilst we were hearing of this increased demand from our partners and in the national media, the number of domestic abuse incidents reported to North Yorkshire Police has remained level. Although victims have been seeking additional support, this is not associated with a significant rise in reported incidents.
“That said there was clearly a need for information and advice to be shared as widely as possible so along with our partners we have been working hard to address this. As well as signposting victims to the wealth of support available, we have created videos discussing a range of topics and continue to send a strong message that the police are very much still here to help and do whatever we can to safeguard anyone experiencing domestic abuse.”
Incidents of fraud recorded have continued to rise over the last three years, an increase which can be attributed to both changes in the way it is reported and work to address the fact it is one of the most underreported crimes. Head of North Yorkshire Police Economic Crime Unit, Detective Inspector Jon Hodgeon explains:
“Victims often do not report fraud as they may feel embarrassed to have been scammed or may think there’s no chance of getting back money they have lost but even if there are no lines of enquiry, we want to help ensure that individual does not become a victim again. To be able to provide victims support and prevention advice, we encourage victims to report fraud directly to North Yorkshire Police, rather than Action Fraud, so we can provide this support and prevention advice.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has put a stop to our regular face-to-face fraud prevention presentations and workshops so we’ve had to find new ways to reach people with prevention messages, including regular Facebook Live sessions and other virtual events which have been very well-received. We’ve also seen a number of new scams emerge with the pandemic providing the perfect cover for many fraudsters and old scams coming back into the fore so we’ve worked hard to keep North Yorkshire residents as up to date as possible.”
North Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable, Mark Pannone, said:
“It is clear to see the impact of Covid-19 and the national lockdown on these latest figures and whilst this has meant some reduction in crime, we must not be complacent. We may be seeing less of some types of crime but we know the need for community support and helping individuals to feel safe is more important than ever before.
“We have moved some of our prevention and safeguarding support to online channels and I can reassure our communities that we are still very much here for you. We know this is a really difficult time for our communities and we are adapting to the challenges presented by the pande
Catalytic converter thefts from vehicles in York
The Police are urging people to be vigilant, take steps to secure their vehicles, and report any suspicious activity immediately – to help make the city a ‘no go area’ for the thieves.
Just before 1am today, Friday 23 October 2020, police were called to the Acomb area, where a resident reported he had disturbed a group of men interfering with his Toyota Auris car. The men drove off at speed in another car. On inspection, the catalytic converter from his car had been removed and stolen.
At about 1.15am, a group of men were seen next to a Volvo V70 in the Fulford area. Officers attended immediately, but the men had left. The car’s exhaust had been cut, but the catalytic converter was still in place.
At 2am this morning, a resident in the Tang Hall area of York was woken by a noise that sounded like drilling. She noticed men crouching around her Honda Jazz car and shouted at them. They made off in another vehicle. The catalytic converter from the car had been stolen.
Owners are urged to take extra precautions to protect their vehicles:
- With darker nights drawing in, park your car in a locked garage where possible, or a well-lit and populated area
- Park close to fences, walls or a kerb, or alongside other vehicles, to make theft more difficult. Avoid parking half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for thieves to access the catalytic converter
- If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it to the police. If a crime is in progress, dial 999. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations
Appeal following theft at Lidl Thanet Road store
Police have issued CCTV of a man they would like to speak to following a theft in Acomb, York.
The incident happened at Lidl, Thanet Road on 25 May 2020.
Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as it is believed they could have information which will help the investigation.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC209 Lewis or email Kira.Lewis@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference number 12200087032 when passing on information.
Contact details:Kira Lewis – #0209 Kira.Lewis@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk | 101 Incident reference:12200087032
Woman arrested in connection with attack on man and dog on Hob Moor
A woman has been arrested in connection with an attack on a man and his dog on Hob Moor in York yesterday.
North Yorkshire Police officers arrested the 51-year-old woman at an address in York at 2.25pm this afternoon.
She was arrested on suspicion of racially-aggravated assault and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, in connection with the incident on the evening of Tuesday 9 June 2020.
She was further arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs.
She remains in custody at this time, while police enquiries continue.
Video footage of the incident had been circulated on social media. A number of members of the public contacted North Yorkshire Police with information about the incident.
Phone scam warning to BT customers
The Police have issued a warning about a phone scam targeting BT customers.
Fraud Alert – North Yorkshire Calls claiming to be from BT.
North Yorkshire Police have recently received a number of calls from residents in relation to a scam call, claiming to be from BT.
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Residents have reported that they have been cold called on the phone, and have been told, by a recorded voice, that they are going to be cut off, or there are issues with their computer/phone line/internet and they have to press 1 to continue.
When pressing 1, the residents have been connected to a line where they have been kept talking to someone who claims to be from BT and has either attempted to obtain bank account details or have had to download something to their computer.
North Yorkshire Police strongly advise you not to press 1. Hang up and contact your phone provider on the customer services number from your bill. If you call from a landline, ensure that you have a dialling tone prior to making the call.
BT have created a webpage on their site to offer advice – www.bt.com/scams
If you have been a victim of this, please contact your bank immediately.
You can also find advice on our website – https://northyorkshire.police.uk/staying-safe/fraud
Further turmoil for Tories as Police/Fire chief faces boot
Problem with LEGO is that it can fall over
It looks like the North Yorkshire crime, fire and policing commissioner Julia Mulligan faces the chop following an extraordinary few weeks of controversy.
The final straw seems to have been a confrontation with other Tories on the crime panel who were unimpressed by her plans for a 9.8% increase in the amount that taxpayers will have to folk out for policing. The proposal was reluctantly nodded through yesterday.
A scrutiny panel initially blocked the move saying it was unclear how the funding increase would impact on critical street level policing numbers. Instead attention focused on the plans to appoint additional senior admin staff while the Commissioners personal expenses (credit card and hotel bills) also came under increased scrutiny.
The combination of the management of policing and fire activities under one roof had been claimed, by some, as likely to improve efficiency. This is now increasingly being questioned.
Julia Mulligan had also been subject to several bullying allegations over recent months, deflecting attention from her principal role in fighting rising crime rates in some parts of York. Her presence in the City has been very low profile over the years although she has an advice surgery scheduled in York on 6th March
Many people continue to doubt the need for an elected police chief. The old committee system provided adequate supervision without the additional bureaucracy and political posturing that the Commissioner system involves.
The next commissioner elections take place in 2020.
and another burglary… this time in Askham Lane!
Crime warning – burglary in Kingsthorpe
Police message following suspicious activity in St Stephens Road
At approximately 0500 hours on Saturday 29th December 2018, 3 males were found in a garden on St Stephens Road.
It is suspected that the males were intending to break into the house.
Fortunately the males were disturbed by the occupant and they made off.
Please can we ask that you review your home and garden security, and also report any suspicious activity by dialling 999 in an emergency or 101 non emergency.
Officers quickly responded to the area but the males could not be found.