Police appeal after windows smashed on Bramham Road, York

Vandalism still a problem in parts of York

 North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a criminal damage that occurred on Bramham Road, York, on the evening of 29 March 2017.

It happened on Bramham Road at around 9pm on 29 March 2017 and involved a dark figure believed to be male approaching the address and throwing broken pieces of paving slab through the front windows.

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

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Gareth Foster.

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12170053054.

Contact details:

gareth foster – #837
gareth.foster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk | 101
Incident reference:
12170053054

Praise for high profile neighbourhood policing in York

Success for four community-led York neighbourhood policing operations

Four major police operations in York have seen drugs taken off the streets, stolen property recovered, anti-social moped riders stopped and defective vehicles fixed.

Throughout February and March 2017, the York North Neighbourhood Policing Team launched four targeted operations, directly as a result of specific community concerns and information.

Operation Cocoon focussed on executing drugs warrants. Over the two-month period, nine warrants were executed under the Misuse of Drugs Act, resulting in nine arrests, the seizure of a substantial quantity of class A and B  drugs, and items of stolen property recovered and returned to their rightful owners. Officers involved in Cocoon also managed to locate and arrest three wanted suspects and a stolen car.

Operation Concept responded to concerns raised by the local community about cycling offences. It saw officers and PCSOs deployed to ‘hotspots’, and in the space of a month more than 50 Traffic Offence Reports were issued for offences such as cycling on the pavement, cycling with no lights and ignoring obligatory road traffic signs.

Reports of anti-social behaviour caused by moped users prompted Operation Confiscate. In a single month, officers stop checked about 50 such vehicles in the Rawcliffe and Clifton Moor areas of York. In all, 13 mopeds were seized for traffic offences, vehicle defects or lack of insurance.

Motoring offences were also the target of Operation Clutch, which involved officers checking vehicles and drivers. Nine vehicle defect notifications were issued, requiring them to be promptly repaired, two vehicles were seized for having no tax, several drivers were reported for no insurance and seven Traffic Offence Reports were issued for other motoring offences.

Officers have put social media to good use, keeping members of the public up-to-date on all four operations via Twitter, @snayorknorth, and the York North Police Facebook page, at facebook.com/yorknorthpolice

Inspector Lee Pointon, of York North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It’s really important that we listen to the concerns of local residents, and deal with the issues that matter to them. Our four major operations were all based on information and intelligence provided by the local community – quite simply, we couldn’t have done it without them.

“I also want to make it clear that this isn’t the end of the matter. These operations secured excellent results, but they are not just a one-off, and we will continue to carry out targeted patrols, understand community concerns and act on their information.”

You can speak to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team by dialling 101 and selecting option 2.

Appeal for information following theft at Foxwood Co-op store

Police are appealing for information to help identify the three men in the CCTV following a theft at the Co-op store in Beagle Ridge Drive, York.

Officers would like to speak to the three men in connection with the incident, which happened between 2.15pm and 2.30pm on Saturday 7 January 2017. A quantity of coffee and meat was stolen.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police. Dial 101, press 2 and ask to speak to PC Rachel Shaw.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12170003776 when passing on any information.

Police launch murder investigation after death in Holgate Road

Man arrested

A man has been arrested in connection with a murder investigation in York.

Officers were called in the early hours of Monday 6 March 2017 to concerns about the behaviour of a man near York Railway Station who had blood on his hands. Police attended the area and found the man in the Scarcroft Road area where he was arrested.

They later found the found the body of a man in his 50s inside a flat on Holgate Road in York.

Scene guards were in place at locations across the city including the scene of the murder at the flat in Holgate Road, a bus stop outside York Railway Station and a taxi rank on Queen Street. Offices remain at the flat this morning as the investigation continues.

The arrested man, 19, remains in police custody for questioning.

Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area of Holgate Road between 11pm last night (Sunday 5 March 2017) and 3am on the morning of Monday 6 March is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the Force Control Room.

Please quote reference 12170037677 when passing on information.

Police are not yet in a position to release the name of the victim.

Crime and safety advice from York Police & Fire/Rescue

From Fire and Rescue
From the Police

Fake Scottish £20 notes
Please be aware of two males trying to use fake Scottish £20 notes in York city centre. Please be vigilant and if you see anything suspicious please call us on 101. Crime ref 12170030308

UNIVERSITY SPEAR-PHISHING ALERT
The information contained within this alert is based on information received from various sources. The purpose of
this alert is to increase awareness of this campaign still in circulation. The campaign’s primary function appears to be
harvesting financial details via a link contained within an email.
The alert is aimed at higher education establishments; however police forces and governmental agencies have also
been targeted
ALERT CONTENT
Fraudsters are sending out a high number of phishing emails to university email addresses claiming to be from their
own HR department. These email addresses are either spoofed or in some cases using compromised university email
accounts.
The email claims that the recipient is entitled to a pay rise from their department and to click on a link to claim the
pay rise.
This link then takes you to a spoofed university website telling you to enter to your personal details (including
university login details and financial information). These financial details can then be used by criminals, and the login
details are usually passed around and sold for future fraud campaigns.
PROTECTION / PREVENTION ADVICE
(more…)

York Police scam alert

TAX REBATE FRAUD ALERT

The police have issued the following warning, ”

NHS members are being targeted by tax rebate companies, purporting to offer services whereby they obtain a tax rebate on the victim’s behalf. However, the company obtains the refund but does not provide any of the funds to their customer, leaving victims over £34,000 out of pocket.

Information suggests that the companies have managed to infiltrate NHS practices/hospitals as part of training/open days and in lunchtime meeting sessions for staff. They also advertise their services to staff members and have been known to set up stands in the reception or restaurant areas.

The companies request the victim sign forms which give them permission to liaise with HMRC on their behalf, stating their fee will be charged to the rebate received. HMRC have confirmed that they have issued refunds to the companies in relation to requests received and authorised by the staff member. Once the refund is obtained all contact with the companies are broken and the victim does not receive their rebate.

Tax rebate fraud does not only affect NHS staff but can also affect Police Officers, airline staff and teachers. However this list of professions is not exclusive and anyone can be targeted.

Crime Prevention Advice
  • · Do research online to ensure the company is reputable by checking the registration details are correct and by viewing feedback online.
  • · Do not feel pressured to sign documentation without doing some basic checks.
  • · Do not respond to unsolicited emails, texts or calls offering rebate services.
  • · Make sure that you are aware and agree to the commission that will be paid to a rebate company prior to signing any documents.

· If you have been affected by this, or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Incident at Lendal Bridge, York

Serious delays to bus services in York

Police attended the Lendal Bridge scene at 3.03am Friday 17 February 2017 where a man had been found with serious injuries at the bottom of the steps on Dame Judi Dench Walk, Lendal Bridge in York.

The 25-year-old man from London has been taken to LGI where he remains in a critical condition.

Lendal Bridge is currently closed whilst police conduct an investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed anything which would be helpful to the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, select option 1 and speak to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference 12170027352.

Empty property fraud alert from York Police

white-collar-crime-1

North Yorkshire Police would like to make you aware of a national increase in organised criminal groups currently targeting empty properties in the UK to apply for loans, duping mortgage providers and causing further distress to members of the public.
Criminal networks are identifying empty properties using names on published obituaries and carrying out further research on the Land Registry. Once a suitable property has been discovered the criminal group then organise for fake documentation to be produced, registering on the electoral role and with utility companies. They meticulously work through the legal hurdles until the finances are released by the unsuspecting organisation. The rights to the property actually belong to a completely innocent party who have no idea the crime has taken place until a much later point.

PROTECTION / PREVENTION ADVICE:

There is an increased risk of fraud when:
• a property is empty or has been bought-to-let
• the owner is spending time abroad or is absent
• the owner is infirm or in a nursing or care home
• a relationship breaks down between the property owners/dwellers
• a property has no mortgage

Protect yourself against property fraud:
• Be very wary of mail solicitations claiming great returns, no matter how good they look. Check out the company first. For example, does it have a legitimate street address and landline number?
• If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
• Owners who are concerned their property might be subject to a fraudulent sale or mortgage can quickly alert the Land Registry and speak to specially trained staff for practical guidance about what to do next by calling the Property Fraud Line on 0300 006 7030. The line is open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• If you have been affected by this, or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

York Ouse river death – Body identified as Craig Batters

Police appeal for information

Police are appealing for information to help trace the movements of a man whose body was recovered from the River Ouse in York on New Year’s Day.

At 1.30pm on Sunday 1 January 2017, police were called by a member of the public reporting that they had seen a body in the river near Holly Terrace, York.

With the assistance of the Fire and Rescue Service, the body of a man was recovered from the water a short time later.

He has been identified as Craig Darren Batters, 42, of York.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have had contact with Craig between Friday 30 December 2016 and Sunday 1 January 2017 to get in touch.

Anyone with information is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12170000357.

New crime and customer satisfaction stats published

The York Council has updated the information that it holds on each ward in the City.

The stats compare residents opinions across the whole City.

The latest updates – which can be accessed on the open data web site by clicking here – have been updated to include 2016 quarter 2 figures.

Detailed figures for the Westfield ward  confirm the surge in crime witnessed in the late summer. Anti social behaviour was up generally with criminal damage reports increasing by over 30%. On the other hand burglary incidents reduced in Westfield despite being stable in the rest of the City

Westfield Ward crime stats

Westfield Ward crime stats

Meanwhile a majority of residents thought that vandalism wasn’t a problem in their neighbourhood.

Beating the City trend, 46% of Westfield respondents thought that they could influence decisions taken about their area.

engagement

Jobs and influence

Residents across the city were generally satisfied with the way the Council runs things (55.2% in Westfield) They were less happy about the progress being made in encouraging the use of low emission vehicles.

Customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction