Local residents have expressed concern over the current condition of neighbourhood policing in York.

During a public meeting on local policing held on Tuesday, residents challenged the police and underlined their irritation at the current level of communication they receive from the police and their presence in the community.

Many communities have been left frustrated by the lack of communication and are often unaware of police activity in local areas.  Some residents highlighted the lack of police representation in the community as the main cause of the breakdown in communication between police and local people.

Deputy Chief Constable, Lisa Winward, stated that Neighbourhood policing was ‘the bedrock’ of policing in North Yorkshire Police and admitted that the police needed to be more organised and dedicate more time to local people.

It was also revealed that a neighbourhood policing survey will be launched next year to gather feedback from local people, with a view to improving overall neighbourhood policing.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“I am pleased that the meeting provided local residents the opportunity to communicate their concerns directly with senior officials in the police.

Every resident deserves to feel safe in their own community and when you begin to see less police in that community, the feeling of safety begins to diminish.

Neighbourhood policing is successful when local police officers build strong relationships with the communities they serve, however, local people are reporting that the police are no longer visible in the community.  This must be reversed.

It is important that the police take on board residents and I welcome Deputy Chief Constable Winward’s commitment to, once again, build those essential relationships with local communities.”

The public meeting on local policing was organised by Liberal Democrat Councillor, Cllr Ashley Mason, and attended by Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward, Superintendent Adam Thompson, Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham and members of the public.