Major police operation to clamp down on York burglaries

An operation to protect York residents against a new garage burglary ‘exploit’ saw dozens of properties visited and more than 100 items security marked in a single night.

On Tuesday 15 September, one police officer and eight PCSOs from York North Safer Neighbourhood Team, boosted by the support of 12 Special Constables, took to the streets of Rawcliffe.

The clampdown follows a significant rise in burglaries in the area, often involving offenders exploiting a weakness in certain garage doors in order to steal property, particularly pedal cycles.

Residents in the Rawcliffe area were shown how criminals commit such burglaries, and given advice on how to simply and effectively secure their garages in response.

Officers also brought with them three ‘dot peen’ marking kits which were made available to residents to get their property security marked and registered. In total, 66 bikes were marked, as well as 17 tablets, 12 laptops and 11 other items including phones and guitars.

Officers visited every property in Beaverdyke, Angram Close, Leighton Croft, Eldwick Close, Swinsty Court, Chelkar Way, Baden Court, Fewston Drive, Lindley Road, Barnby Close, Ebsay Drive, Lanshaw Croft, Redmires Close, Whitley Close, Haythorth Close, Handley Close, Wellesley Close and Bransholme Drive.

When there was no answer, a letter was posted through the door offering crime prevention advice and inviting people to a dot peen property marking drop-in session on 26 September 2015 at Clifton Moor Church and Community Centre from 6pm to 8pm. More information about dot peen is available at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/whatisdotpeen

PC Steve Gillespie, of York North Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I’d like to stress the importance of adding additional security measures to your garages to ensure that you too do not become a burglary victim.

“I strongly recommend the installation of security measures such as garage defenders or ground anchors. I am sure the cost of having to replace stolen items will far outweigh the cost of installing this equipment.

“Furthermore, allowing the police to mark your items – such as pedal cycles, gardening tools, golfing equipment, mobile phones and almost anything else you can think of – ensures that our chances of reuniting you with your property, should it be lost or stolen, are greatly increased. It also assists us in ensuring that the North Yorkshire Police area remains the safest place in England.”

The crime prevention campaign will continue, and officers have stepped up patrols in the area, including patrols in marked and unmarked vehicles, and on marked and unmarked bikes throughout the night.

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity is urged to report it to the police immediately. Such reports assist officers in preventing crime and catching offenders with stolen property in their possession.

PC Gillespie praised the contribution of North Yorkshire Police Special Constables, volunteers with the same powers as full-time police officers: “Without the support of our colleagues from the Special Constabulary giving up their midweek evening to assist these patrols, it would not have been possible to visit as many people, on as many streets, or to have marked as much property as we did.”

Two boys, aged 16 and 14, were arrested on 13 September on suspicion of burgling a garage in the Rawcliffe area. Both have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

York Police issue cycle crime warning and appeal for domestic dispute witnesses

York City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team is proactively targeting those who are committing cycle crime in the city centre.

This week alone the team have made two significant arrests, following further investigation work, which has led to two people being charged with a number of cycle thefts.

Sgt Tim Craven of the York City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team said:

“The team are also actively patrolling the cycle racks in the city centre, and we are finding that some members of the public are not securing their cycles with a sufficient standard of lock.

“In some cases, cycles are being secured with cheap wire locks that can be very quickly and easily overcome making them an ideal target for a would-be thief. I want to reassure the public that cycle crime does remain low, but we are asking that cyclists correctly secure their bikes with a good standard of lock, to prevent their potential loss”

Alongside investing in a good quality bike lock to prevent theft; there are a number of things cyclists can do to ensure that, if stolen and recovered their bike can be returned to them.

By registering your bicycle model, make and frame number this assists the police in returning recovered bikes to their rightful owners. Your local police station can provide further advice.

Taking a clear, colour photograph of your bike and making a written record of its description, including any unique features, is also advised so that you can report it accurately if stolen.

Security marking the bicycle is also a good idea. York Police have recently invested in the top-of-the-range “dot peen” property marking machines and are offering the marking service free to York residents.

Dot peen marking involves using a tungsten carbide-tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number. The unique number will be entered onto the national Immobilise property register database, vastly increasing the chances that it will be reunited with its owner if it is lost or stolen.

For more cycle safety tips visit http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/cyclesafety or to find out when the next property marking event is taking place, follow your local York police team on Twitter at @snayorkcityeast @snayorknorth or @snayorkwest

Appeal following domestic dispute

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a an incident that occurred near to the junction of Piccadilly and Tower Street, close to the entrance of the car park to St Georges field in York.

It happened during what is described as ‘the morning rush hour’ on Wednesday 13 August 2015 and involved a 28-year-old woman and a man from York.

As a result of an incident the woman received substantial facial injuries after falling to the floor.

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 tried to offer assistance to the couple.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Dc 616 Wright. You can also email Theresa.Wright@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 12150141784.

First weekend of ‘Had Enough’ campaign deflates city centre anti-social behaviour

The first weekend of a new campaign to encourage people to enjoy themselves responsibly has started with city partners encouraged by the response, and a clear message sent to revellers.

Barriers at York Station operated by British Transport Police (BTP) and in conjunction with train operators, shared information with passengers on expectations of behaviour in the city centre. They also helped crack down on fare-dodging. North Yorkshire Police officers and Neighbourhood Enforcement officers from the city’s Community Safety Hub were patrolling the city centre where an Alcohol Restriction Zone is in force.

Inspector Richard Price of BTP said: “We had some really positive feedback from passengers and rail staff on the campaign. They were very pleased to hear about the partnership’s work to reduce low level disorder and ASB at the station and the city. In terms of passenger numbers, it was a fairly standard day and officers made two arrests for drunk and disorderly behaviour at York.”

Inspector Andy Godfrey of North Yorkshire Police said: “We had a number of very positive comments about the increased policing activity in York city centre over the weekend. Our high-visibility presence, and that of our partners, was very well-received.

“There was a large number of people in York on Saturday, and the atmosphere was in general good natured.

“We deflated or disposed of three inappropriate items and issued one section 35 order to leave the city centre, but otherwise the vast majority enjoyed their day in the right spirit.

“Our commitment to working in partnership to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour will continue, to ensure everyone who wants to enjoy all that York has to offer can do so.”

Police appeal following assault in Front Street

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an assault that occurred on Front Street in Acomb York on Sunday 2nd August at around 1530hours

It happened on Front Street in Acomb, York at around 1530hours on Sunday 2nd August and involved a 70 year old male who was assaulted by another male. The male responsible for the assault was wearing a red t-shirt, dark coloured shorts and trainers, he was also wearing glasses.

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 have witnessed the incident

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for James Mills. You can also email James.Mills@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 12150134134

Police seek witnesses to white Honda man in Tang hall

Appeal for information regarding the manner of driving of a white Honda Civic in the Tang Hall area of York

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have information regarding the manner of driving of a white Honda Civic in the Tang Hall area of York.

Police received a call at around 6pm on Sunday 30 August 2015 about the behaviour of a man on Hewley Avenue.

Officers attended the area and arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of drink driving.

Officers are asking anyone who saw a white car being driven in Tang Hall area or has any other information about the incident to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask to speak to PC Robin Hughes, or email robin.hughes@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous information can be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Authorities call time on drunks in York

A new partnership is launching its first campaign to clamp down on the anti-social behaviour of a minority which can blight the majority’s enjoyment of the beautiful City of York.

City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police have welcomed the involvement of train operating companies, York Racecourse and city centre licensed premises, as well as Make It York and the proposed York Bid.

The campaign complements other initiatives used to quell anti-social behaviour on race and match days and the positive effect of the Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ) which extends within the city walls, along Micklegate and the area around the station.

There will be a heightened presence of officers from British Transport and North Yorkshire Police – including special constables – and Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers from the multi-agency Community Safety Hub. Every Saturday throughout September, starting on 5 September, these officers will remind people travelling by train to the city, arriving at York station and those out and about in the city centre, to respect the city they are visiting and enjoy themselves responsibly. They will be doing this alongside any necessary enforcement action on trains, at the station and throughout the ARZ.
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Appeal for information following theft of £7000 worth of rings from York Minster Antiques.

Police are appealing for information following a theft of £7000 worth of rings from an antiques shop in York.

The incident occured on 29 August 2015 between 12:30hrs and 13:10hrs at York Minster Antiques, College Street, York.

A dark brown velvet display tray holding 27 rings was taken. The rings have a total value of around £7000 and are quite distinctive, particularly a diamond ring with an especially high setting.

Anyone with information which could assist in this investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask to speak to PC 1843 HUGHES of Fulford Road police station, York. Please quote reference – 12150152511.

If you wish to remain anonymous information can be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CCTV appeal following York spirit theft

Police have issued CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the theft of two bottles of vodka and three bottles of Jack Daniels Whiskey.

The spirits were stolen from Sainsbury’s store on Foss Bank in York on 17 July 2015.

Detectives are appealing to the man to come forward and to anyone else who can help to identify him, to get in touch.

The man and anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for York Investigation Hub, or email toby.gorwood@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

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

Please quote incident number 12150122315 when passing on information.

Property marking success as stolen bike returned to rightful owner

A suspected stolen bike has been returned to its rightful owner in York, thanks to an innovative new property marking project.

On Saturday 29 August 2015, officers attended a report of a cycle being left outside a property in Lord Mayor’s Walk.

Fortunately the bike had already been marked using one of four new ‘dot peen’ property marking machines that have been rolled out across the city.

Officers were able to recover it, and reunite it with its rightful owner in Clifton, before it had even been reported stolen.

Enquiries are now ongoing to identify those responsible for taking the bike.

Inspector Lee Pointon, of York Police, said: “This is a great success for our dot peen property marking scheme. Without the marking, this bike may never have been returned to its owner.

“Marking your property is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from being a victim of crime – and, as this case goes to show, it makes it far more likely that we will be able to return your property to you.”

In the six weeks since the dot peen project began, officers marked more than 1,000 items, including 727 garden and allotment tools, 234 cycles and dozens of assorted gadgets such as cameras, games consoles and speakers.

Dot peen marking involves using a tungsten carbide-tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number. The unique number is entered onto the national Immobilise property register database, vastly increasing the chances that it will be reunited with its owner if it is lost or stolen.

The dot peen machines were funded by North Yorkshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, and Safer York Partnership.

For more information, visit www.northyorkshire.police.uk/whatisdotpeen. To find out when your next property marking event is taking place, follow your local York police team on Twitter at @snayorkcityeast, @snayorknorth or@snayorkwest. The service is promoted on Twitter with the hashtag#whatisdotpeen

You can also install North Yorkshire Police’s free home security web app, BurglarProof, at burglarproof.nyp.mobi. And you can download our interactive home security iBook – just search for “Securing your home” on iTunes.

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