Early Capable Guardian meeting at Acomb Library

We understand that Labour Councillors are refusing to support the Capable Guardian neighbourhood policing project which has made a huge contribution to reducing anti social behaviour and other types of crime in the Westfield and Dringhouses areas over the last few years.

The work is now being subsumed into Ward Committee processes which themselves have fallen into disrepute recently following cuts to funding and reductions in the number of meetings held and the number of newsletters issued.

The Capable Guardian Scheme started in 2008 and initially involved voluntary groups, businesses and public bodies like the Police, Council, and the Safer York Partnership. Resources were pooled to address the incidence of nuisance neighbours,

Later the scheme was developed to encompass a wider range of activities and was credited with the sharp fall in crime seen in the area between 2008 and 2011.