Anger as trees vandalised on Foxwood Lane

A number of trees on the amenity area next to Foxwood Lane were vandalised yesterday.

It is the second attack in less than 3 months.

The trees were provided through public subscription, so everyone in the community has an interest in bringing those responsible to book.

The local Police haven’t attended Residents Association meetings in recent months, so we hope that they will turn up on Wednesday and explain what they intend to do to address the increase in anti-social behaviour in the area.

If anyone can cast light on who is responsible for the vandalism please let us know.

 

 

Police appeal to find owner of Apple Ipod in Acomb/Westfield area

 

North Yorkshire Police are appealing to identify the owner of an Apple Ipod recovered in York on Tuesday 5 September 2017.

“We are conducting enquiries to locate the owner of a Black Apple Ipod, which was believed to have been lost or stolen within the Acomb area of York between 4 and the 6 September 2017.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for [Andy Chapman]. You can also email andrew.chapman1681@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 12170159084

 

Police seek 20 recruits for control room

 

North Yorkshire Police is hosting a webchat for anyone interested in joining their Force Control Room.

The force is currently recruiting 20 new members of staff to work in this vital, front-line department.

Force Control Room staff are at the heart of policing in North Yorkshire, answering all emergency and non-emergency calls that come into North Yorkshire Police. One minute you could be taking a report of a stolen vehicle, the next, you could be dealing with a tragedy such as a sudden death or serious car crash. You will also ensure that our people and resources are sent to the right place at the right time.

To ask any questions about the roles available, prospective applicants can log on to northyorkshire.police.uk/webchabetween 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday 6 September 2017.

To find out more about the role, watch this video and visit northyorkshire.police.uk/fcr

Recruitment closes on 17 September 2017.

Westfield ward committee improvements – list published

The Council, has published a list of projects that will be funded from the Westfield ward delegated budget this year. Most other wards have announced similar lists. The Westfield list can be found by clicking here

Although covering 30 months of funding, the list does include schemes which have not yet got off the ground.

Amongst them are plans for diversionary activities in the beleaguered Chapelfields area.

Allocations include

  • £6,841 funding to tackle anti-social behaviour across the ward.  Out of that fund, £376 was allocated to pay for CCTV maintenance on Bramham Road between September 2017 to September 2018.
  • £1500  was transferred to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Chapelfields area.
  • £3,521 funding to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Chapelfields area

The Chapelfields programe is described as “a multi-agency team involving police, LAT and Public Health as well as local community groups who will seek to address anti-social behaviour through targeted diversionary activities for local children and young people. This will link to the Communities that Care programme which is being developed by the local police”.  £500 has been paid for Urbie sessions (a community youth activity bus project) in a local church car park. Further visits are expected in September

Residents have written to the Council asking for an update on the progress with these projects and a similar initiative at the Kingsway West MUGA which although allocated £2000 in the budget, also does not seem to have started yet.

We wish the authorities well in their attempts to defuse the situation.

Westfield survey priorities at 18th August 2017 (excluding Foxwood)

The results of the Ward Committees ballot, which sought residents priorities on use of its delegated budget, have not been published yet.

However the results of a similar door to door survey conducted by local Councillors are available.

So far over 1540 forms have been returned.

They show strong support for five projects.

These include funding for leisure activities for younger people and security improvements. 

 

 

20,000 milestone for North Yorkshire Community Messaging

More than 20,000 people are now signed up to an innovative community and crime alert service to help keep North Yorkshire safe.

20,000 milestone for North Yorkshire Community MessagingNorth Yorkshire Community Messaging (NYCM) is a free system that allows people to register to receive the latest crime, safety and community news happening in their local neighbourhoods.

It was launched in April 2016, and is now used by North Yorkshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Neighbourhood Watch, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the district councils of Selby, Ryedale, Hambleton and Richmondshire.

More than 1,250 people joined NYCM in July 2017 alone, bringing the total number of subscribers to over 20,000. That’s more than enough to fill Headingley cricket ground – or York’s Bootham Crescent twice over.

As North Yorkshire is the largest county in England, community messaging can be used to share messages and appeals across a wide area very quickly, particularly in rural areas.

Users can tailor preferences for the type of message they receive, their preferred channel (phone, text, email or notification) and the locations that matter to them. A smartphone app even allows people to receive alerts based on their current location.
(more…)

“Don’t ring us” N. Yorks Police

Technical difficulties being experienced on 101

The North Yorkshire Police say their Force Control Room is currently experiencing some technical difficulties taking 101 calls (Wednesday 2 August 2017 6.15pm)

“If your call is not urgent or not an emergency, please do not call 101 at the moment.

999 emergency calls are being answered.

We will provide further update as soon as normal service resumes”.

Police struggling to deal with calls to 101

North Yorkshire Police say they are experiencing around a 20 percent increase in demand to the Force Control Room resulting in delays in answering some calls.

In a statement they say, “This is not unique to North Yorkshire as forces across the country are experiencing the same issues. We are working to resolve this, but it will take time”.

The crisis comes at a time when North Yorkshires Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a bid to take over the management of the Fire and Rescue service.

Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward, said: “Like most forces across the country, we are currently experiencing high demand in the Force Control Room with an increase in calls – particularly 999 calls – of around 20 percent since May 2017. For example, on Sunday 18 June, we received more calls than on New Year’s Eve, which historically is our busiest day of the year and is planned for in advance.

“I would like to reassure members of the public that we are implementing a number of measures to help deal with the unprecedented increase in demand, now and into the future, but this cannot be done overnight.

“999 emergency calls must take precedence over non-emergencies, and the increase is having a knock-on effect on the time it takes to answer non-emergency calls. We ask the public to please bear with us as we implement the improvement measures over the coming months.

“Our control room staff are working extremely hard as we work to service the increase in demand and implement the changes. It is a very fast-paced and pressurised environment and I must pay tribute to the commitment and resilience they have shown during this time.

“In the meantime, we ask members of the public to use 101 in the correct circumstances. Our website provides information on when to contact the police, the best way to contact us and when to call other agencies such as the council.

“Always call 999 if your safety threatened or in an emergency situation.”

Call numbers this month to date compared to the same time last year

2 July 2016 – 24 July 2016

999 calls – 4,920

101 calls – 19,409

2 July 2017 – 24 July 2017

999 calls – 6,114 (25% increase)

101 calls – 20,498

Special Constable recruitment in York: webchat on Wednesday

Anyone interested in becoming a Special Constable is invited to join a webchat hosted by North Yorkshire Police as part of its ongoing recruitment campaign.

The force has assembled a panel of experts including current Special Constables and Human Resource staff who can answer any questions potential recruits may have about joining up.

The webchat will take place on Wednesday 19 July 2017 between 6pm and 7pm. To take part, go to northyorkshire.police.uk/webchat.

Special Constables are volunteer police officers who have the same uniform and powers as regular (paid) police officers. They volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month to policing York and North Yorkshire and carry out a full range of operational, front-line duties.

“Specials” as they are known, come from all walks of life and backgrounds, which means that they bring with them a whole host of skills and abilities which complement those of their full-time colleagues.

The force is actively encouraging applicants from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and people who are looking for a new challenge, but want to remain in their current careers.

Special Constables on road safety operation

Special Chief Officer, Sharron Moverely-Holmes, has been a Special Constables for over 30 years. She said: “We realise that many people who are thinking of applying will have lots of questions and we want to make sure they have all the information they need before embarking on what is a big commitment.

“Being a Special Constable is a unique and privileged volunteer role, and while it can be very challenging and demanding, it brings immense rewards –  from helping people in their times of need, to developing new skills for life and taking advantage of new opportunities.”

If you can’t make the webchat, you can submit your questions in advance via Facebook.com/NorthYorkshirePolice

For more information about becoming a special and to apply, visit northyorkshire.police.uk/specials

York summer safety initiatives unveiled – webchat for residents’ questions

Organisations in York will be working together to ensure that everyone can enjoy all that the city has to offer safely and responsibly.

York summer safety initiatives unveiled – webchat for residents’ questionsRecent initiatives and campaigns have seen North Yorkshire Police work closely with City of York Council, British Transport Police, city licensees and many other partners. These will continue throughout the summer, alongside new developments to make the city even safer.

Sergeant Nick Plumb, of York City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We have come a very long way over the last few years, and we’re now working with other agencies and organisations more closely than ever before. Those efforts have ensure that York city centre continues to be a great place to work and visit.
(more…)

York Police warning on “Snapchat” danger

Local police have issued the following warning

“Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams within North Yorkshire Police would like to make parents aware of the following update that has released on snapchat.

If your children have the Snapchat app and GPS on their phone please take a look at this.

It seems with the new update there is a new feature on Snapchat. When you open the app place two fingers on the screen and drag them together ‘pinch’ just like when zooming out on an interactive map. This will then open the new feature. It shows your location with near exact accuracy and can be only a couple of meters wrong. This means people can see exactly where you are at any time.

To turn this off there is a settings button in the top right and can turn the feature to ghost mode. This will hide your location from others. Also turn off the phones GPS as an extra level of security.

If you need any help please contact your phone provider or visit an O2 store and speak to one of their gurus. This is a free service and regardless of the network you are on The gurus can help with any technical questions and security advice.

Please remind your children to only have ‘friends’ on these apps who they actually know, this will keep them safer online.

While we have focused this on keeping children safe. Please be mindful features like this could be used by criminals, knowing when you’re out or even where you live. Always be mindful of posting pictures with cycles and such which would show people exactly where you store them. Then show when you are out”.