Fewer Community Police in York

A response to a Freedom of Information  request has indicated that front line PCSO numbers have dropped by more than half in York since 2016.

PCSOs passing out in 2014

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ashley Mason, who is currently serving as the Vice Chair to the Police & Crime Panel, recently submitted a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire Police Force. He wanted to know the number of community police officers patrolling the streets of the City.

In response, Cllr Mason was told that there are currently 25 front line PCSOs in York.

This compares to 64 in 2016.

Cllr Mason had also requested the figures for the last 10 years, but unfortunately, was told that this information was not recorded.

This revelation comes amidst growing concerns that the fall in police numbers, due to Government cuts, has lead to increases in crimes throughout England. Although this has been denied by Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, a leaked report from her own department, has suggested reductions in police numbers were “likely” to have led to the increase.

Earlier this year, PCC Julia Mulligan promised to look into the neighbourhood policing system in York, after many local councillors expressed concerns about the lack of local officers in their communities.

Councillor Ashley Mason, Liberal Democrat and Vice Chair of the Police & Crime Panel:

“PCSOs are a vital link between the police and the communities they serve.  To loose so many over two years is shocking.”

“It is interesting to see that the Police and Crime Commissioner say that numbers high, which suggests that some PCSO’s are being taken away from the City of York.”

“I will be writing to the Police and Crime Commissioner to express my concerns and insist that her review of the force begin as soon as possible”

PCC Julia Mulligan has responded by saying that the North Yorkshire Police website, from which the figures in the FOI response were taken, was incorrect.

Councillor Ashley Mason responded by saying:

“I sent through a request to North Yorkshire Police for them to confirm to me the number of PCSOs working in York. I was a little surprised in the first instance when I was only referred to the North Yorkshire Police’s website, as the numbers indicated were low.

“I queried this with the force’s Civil Disclosure Unit and was again directed to North Yorkshire Police’s website, where I was told that the numbers of PCSOs could be found under the details of the ‘York North’ and ‘York City’ Neighbourhood Teams. As indicated on the website, only 25 PCSOs are detailed.

“If as the Police & Crime Commissioner has said that these numbers are incorrect, then this should be absolutely reflected on the North Yorkshire Police Force website, particularly if Councillors and members of the public are going to be directed to the website. Neighbourhood policing is extremely important to communities here in York and therefore, it is essential that information provided to the public is correct.”

Askham Bar flytipping investigated and goes to court

In August 2017 Cllr Stephen Fenton took a photo (below) of flytipping at the Askham Bar recycling banks and reported it to City of York Council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement team. They investigated, and a case went to the Magistrates Court on 2nd January. The defendant failed to attend and so the Court issued a warrant for the person’s arrest.


It’s good to know that these cases are pursued where evidence can be found. Flytipping can be reported to neo@york.gov.uk for investigation.

Neighbourhood policing in the spotlight

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.

 

Concerns raised over the 101 Service by Cllr Ashley Mason

On the panel, Commander Charlotte Bloxham (far left), Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward (left of centre), Cllr Ashley Mason (right of centre) and Superintendent Adam Thompson (right).

Concerns and confusion continue to persist regarding the performance of 101 service in York.

During a public meeting organised by Liberal Democrat Councillor Ashley Mason, residents were vocal in their displeasure over the quality of service they have received after calling 101, with many commenting that police responses were too slow or, in some instances, did not show up at all.

In response, Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, head of the York Control Room, highlighted that November 2017 was the busiest month on record for 999 calls and due to the sheer volume of calls, this had an adverse effect on the force’s ability to respond to 101 calls.  However, the Police did apologise to residents who had not been provided the appropriate level of service and commitments were made to improve localised responses to 101 calls.

In addition, a number of residents underlined their unhappiness that charges were being applied to the national 101 service, despite residents being actively encouraged to log calls via 101.  Deputy Chief Constable, Lisa Winward, concurred that residents should not be charged for logging calls and agreed to take this issue to the National Police Board.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“The 101 service is extremely important for many local communities and it is crucial that it operates to a high standard  Calls to the 101 service must result in police action, where necessary, and I am pleased that the Police took onboard the concerns of residents and apologised to those who had been let down by the service.

Looking forward, it is encouraging that Deputy Chief Constable will take the issue of call charges to the Police’s National Board and commitments have been made to improve responses to 101 calls.  We must continue to scrutinise the performance of the 101 service, in order to identify where improvements are required.  Excellent standards must be consistently maintained to deliver the safety residents are entitled to.

 

Appeal following a burglary in Woodthorpe

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information about a burglary that occurred in the Woodthorpe area of York.

It occurred on the evening of Friday 17th November 2017, where amongst other items a handbag was stolen.

The handbag is black in colour with one large middle pocket and two smaller pockets either side, possibly with a flowery “Cath Kidston” purse inside.

The purse has in it irreplaceable photos of great sentimental value.

If anyone finds the handbag or purse they should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Mark Cook. You can also email mark.cook@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 12170207175

Local Councillor Ashley Mason probes Fire Service takeover bill

Costs have been revealed concerning the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) bid to take over responsibilities for overseeing the Fire Service in North Yorkshire.

It has been revealed that Julia Mulligan has spent £141,437.50 on consultants in order to put her business case together, exceeding her budget by over £12,000 in the process.  The revelations come after Councillors on the Police and Crime Panel were issued with a last minute briefing paper from the PCCs office.

Cllr Ashley Mason, Vice Chair of the Panel and Liberal Democrat Councillor for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, initially queried the costs earlier in the year, but was informed the details were commercially sensitive.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“I was astonished to learn how much the PCC had spent on this takeover bid. I was even more surprised to see that these costs are solely for the external consultants and marketers. The costs do not include the large amount of staff time her office put into the campaign and only £88,000 can be claimed back from the Home Office.

This is totally unacceptable and the money would have been better spent in employing more control room staff to address the failings in 101 services, or on local PCSOs, with numbers reducing in York.

The Commissioner has some serious issues to tackle within the police, who have recently fallen in their rating by the Inspectorate of Constabularies’ from ‘Good’ to ‘Requires Improvement.”

Police take action to control Halloween jinks

Over the coming weeks police in North Yorkshire will have an increased presence in York to deter those who may choose to engage in anti-social behaviour (ASB), and help keep the community safe under Operation CASBIA.

Op CASBIA is a new initiative that started on Friday 27 October. Local neighbourhood policing teams will be out in numbers to provide reassurance, crime prevention advice and provide you with the opportunity to meet your local officers.  Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s specialist Road Policing Group and Operational Support Unit will also be joining the local team to deter ASB and deal with the anti-social use of vehicles on our roads.

Postcards will also be supplied, to display that you do not wish to have Trick or Treaters at your door. These are available at the front office of both Acomb and Fulford Police station, or alternatively you can email your local team for one to be posted through your door.

Chief Inspector Allan Wescott, of North Yorkshire Police said:

“Although this time of year is fun and exciting for many, there are those in our communities for whom it can cause concern and anxiety and increase the fear of crime in local communities. There are also a small number of people who may choose to use it as an opportunity to commit Anti-Social Behaviour. We want to reassure the public that we will be out on the streets, doing our best to keep local communities safe.

“I’d like to also remind people to only trick or treat in their own neighbourhood unless they’re with an adult and avoid going out alone and ask people to stay in well- lit areas where there are plenty of houses.

“At this time of year we work closely with the Fire and Rescue Service, and I urge people not to take risks with fireworks. Anyone caught supplying fireworks to under 18s or lighting them in the street can expect to be dealt with robustly.”

Property marking in Dringhouses on Sunday

On Sunday 20th August between 15.00pm and 17.00pm your local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be on the grassed area on North Lane in Dringhouses marking property and offering crime prevention advice. For advice on home security please follow this link – https://northyorkshire.police.uk/staying-safe/home-security/ 

Cabinet graffiti clean-up success

Cllr Stephen Fenton spent the afternoon of Saturday 17 June blitzing the graffiti that has blighted a number of Virgin Media cabinets in Dringhouses & Woodthorpe.

Using special wipes designed to remove paint, Stephen cleaned up a total of eight cabinets on Chaloners Road, Wharfe Drive, Eason View, Thanet Road and Lowick.

The graffiti had first been reported to Virgin Media last year but they took no action, so the time had come to take some direct action.

Before

After!