Court fines six for offensive and fouling behaviour

York Magistrates found five men guilty yesterday (10 October 2017) of urinating in public in the city during the summer, and another of throwing a can from the City Walls.

All were fined and variously ordered to pay a court surcharge and prosecution costs.

Working in partnership with North Yorkshire Police, City of York Council prosecutes people found fouling the streets to reflect the anti-social nature and health risks this offence presents.

  • Nigel Whiteley, aged 45 of Holmsley Lane, Leeds, was seen urinating on the Knavesmire at 8:20pm on Saturday 1 July 2017. Whiteley pleaded guilty by post and was sentenced to a £120 fine, £30 court surcharge and £100 costs.
  • Patrick McGowan, aged 47 of Cornlands Road, York, was seen by York BID rangers urinating in an alley on Coney Street at 4pm on Saturday 8 July 2017. McGowan did not attend court and was convicted in his absence with a £220 fine, £30 court surcharge and £100 costs.
  • John Alexander, aged 38 of The Causeway, Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland, was seen by police at 7pm on Saturday 15 July 2017 urinating in Albermarle Road. Alexander did not attend court and was convicted in his absence. He was sentenced to a £220 fine, £30 court surcharge and £100 costs.
  • Paul Potter, aged 25, of Monkgate, York, was seen by police at 1:15am on Saturday 15 July 2017 in North Street urinating against a door. He pleaded guilty by post and was sentenced to a £130 fine, £30 court surcharge and £100 costs.
  • Dan Rogers, aged 20 of Pebworth Avenue, Birmingham was seen by police in High Ousegate at 3:50am on Saturday 29 July 2017 urinating in the doorway of a shop. He attended court, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a £70 fine, £30 court surcharge and £100 costs.
  • Raymond Warren of Meanwood, Leeds, was seen by council employees throwing a can of alcoholic drink from the City Walls outside West Offices at 8:45am on Friday 14 July 2017. He was given a fixed penalty of £75 which he failed to pay despite telling the enforcement officer that he had £900. The case was heard in his absence at York Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10 October 2017 where he was found guilty and fined a total of £330.

(more…)

Violence, public order and street crime levels up in York

The latest crime figures released by the Office of National Statistics reveal a worrying trend in York with street crime and sexual offences at record levels.

Drug offences have also risen during the last 3 years.

York Crime stats

York Crime stats

While at the overall number of crimes is slightly down, with 44790 recorded during 2015, the figures do not include “anti social behavior” (ASB).

In some neighbourhoods ASB accounts for as much as 50% of the reports made to the Police. 

The figures are bound to lead to more calls for a return to community policing principles and a reversal of the York Council’s policy of centralising agency anti crime work in a City centre “hub”.

Drug possession, public order and theft offences up in York

Overall crime numbers stable in year to the end of September 2014.

The latest crime figures produced by ONS show an increase in some types of crime in York. (See table below)

Crime numbers in York

Crime numbers in York

The biggest concerns will probably be over public order  and “theft from a person” offences both of which have risen for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Drug related crime is also on the increase as are (reported) sexual offences and shoplifting.

The violence figures remain high.

The Police are right to point out that North Yorkshire is a safe place to live and enjoys the second lowest crime rate in the country.

But there is work to do in York and the figures are likely to reopen the debate about whether the County’s Deputy Chief Constable should be relocated and headquartered in the City.

The York Council may also need to review its policies.

It has a role to play in reducing crime in general and public order problems in particular.

A statement from North Yorkshire Police is reproduced below
(more…)