North Yorkshire Police is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness about anti-social behaviour (ASB) during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.
Under the Association of Chief Police Officers’ “In Focus” banner, the week of action runs from Monday 28 October until Tuesday 5 November 2013.
Police Officers, Special Constables and Police Community Support Officers will be carrying out a large number of activities, including:
•Delivering posters to shops to prevent young people buying eggs and flour and fireworks
•Delivering “No trick or treat” posters to vulnerable and elderly people to display in windows
•High visibility patrols in areas where ASB has been an issue previously
•Visiting schools to educate young people about ASB and the dangers of fireworks
•Targeting known ASB offenders so that they know we are watching them
•Identifying insecure properties and offering crime prevention advice
Social media is also being used to provide information and advice to local residents, as well as promoting the activities taking place during the week of action.
To receive the updates you can follow North Yorkshire Police on Twitter @NYorksPolice using the hashtags #ASB or #InFocus.
Specials activity in York
On Monday 4 November 2013, around 25 Special Constables in York will be carrying out targeted patrols in the city focusing on ASB and burglary hotspots.
The night before Bonfire Night has often seen an increase in the levels of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage by juveniles taking part in Mischief Night. The team of specials will carry out high-visibility patrols to prevent and detect criminal damage, as well as offering reassurance to vulnerable people.
The team will also be checking properties to make sure that they do not present an opportunity for burglars. If they find an insecure property the officers will leave crime prevention advice.
York
•Monday 4 November 2013, Special Constables on high visibility anti-social behaviour and Beat the Burglar patrols
•Engagement with repeat victims of anti-social behaviour and persistent callers from the same period in previous years in order to offer reassurance
•Distribution of “No Trick or Treat” posters to local residents who are either repeat victims of anti-social behaviour, live in a anti-social behaviour hotspot areas or are vulnerable
•Delivering “Flour and eggs – not for sale” posters to local retailers
•Leaflets to local businesses regarding the sale of fireworks and alcohol to youths
•Engagement with known anti-social behaviour offenders so they know the police are watching them
•Engagement with students at York University and St Johns College regarding noise nuisance from late night parties
•High visibility patrols in the anti-social behaviour hot spots including the mobile police office to offer reassurance
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said: “While there are a great many people who enjoy the festivities at this time of year, there are others for who it brings misery and raises the fear of crime.
“Through a range of policing operations, Police Officers, PCSOs and the Special Constabulary will be out in the towns and cities across North Yorkshire and City of York, to act as reassurance and deter anti-social behaviour. Anyone caught with items they are using to commit anti-social manner can expect to have them confiscated and faces the prospect of legal action.”
Mr Kennedy added: “Shop workers also have an important role in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour, by not selling items such as eggs and flour to young people. Furthermore, they are reminded that is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.”
Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, is backing the week of action and is delighted to see the Special Constabulary playing a full part to help target anti-social behaviour.
She said: “Halloween can be a sorry time of year for the more vulnerable people in society, and I support the efforts we are taking to protect those people. Making the full use of our Special Constabulary is really important, and they can often be the people who know their communities best. Their commitment to this particular project gives me an opportunity to thank Specials, and all the volunteers who contribute to North Yorkshire Police, for putting so much time and energy into keeping communities safe.”
Local events
Hambleton and Richmondshire
•Tuesday 29 October 2013, Borderwatch watch patrol in the Richmond area between 10pm and 2am
•Delivery of No Egg/Flour Posters to business and shops
•”Beat the burglar” patrols incorporating high visibility anti-social behaviour prevention
•ASB cycle patrols by PCSO’s Middleham/Leyburn
•Visiting food retail premises to reduce the sale of eggs and flour to juveniles
•Visits to firework retailers to view/review their policies and remind of legislation
Scarborough and Ryedale
•High visibility patrols in areas that have been affected by anti-social behaviour
•Leaflet drops to residents including displayable notices warning “No Trick or Treating”
•Distribution of “Flour and Eggs – not for sale” posters to retailers and visits to retailers to reinforce message
•Working with youth support to target regular anti-social behaviour offenders and to prevent their offending
•Visiting local schools to educate young people about anti-social behaviour and the dangers of fireworks
Harrogate
•High visibility patrols of local hotspots in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough & Boroughbridge and early intervention with known anti-social behaviour offenders
•Leaflets distributed to local retailers of “Flour and eggs – not for sale” posters
•Leaflets to local businesses regarding the sale of fireworks and alcohol to youths
•School visits to be conducted to deliver education about anti-social behaviour and the dangers of fireworks
•Reassurance visits to be conducted on potentially vulnerable victims to give them “No Trick or Treat” posters
Selby
•Monday 28 October 2013, the mobile police office will be at 3 Lakes Retail Park, Selby, to offer advice and reassurance
•High visibility patrols of local hot spots
•Meeting local youth groups to educate them about anti-social behaviour and the dangers of fireworks
•Distributing “Flour and eggs – not for sale” posters to retailers across the district