Crime levels rising in York – official

Officials are warning that crime in York may rise by 11% this year.

Adverse trends have been evident on the Police real time tracking web site for some months (click to access). The September figures have recently been added.

In West York by far the largest number of incidents reported concern anti-social behaviour. Violence and sexual offences come second and criminal damage/arson third.

A report to a York Council meeting says,

“Significant increases are forecast in violent crime, shoplifting and burglary non-dwelling categories.

 Latest benchmarking information show rates of crime at a national level have also risen significantly in Q2, and levels of overall crime in comparable authorities are increasing at greater rates than in York.

 Reports of domestic violence are predicted to be 6% greater than those reported during the same time frame in 2014/15”.

Crime west York Oct 14 to Sept 15

Stolen cycles recovered from west York

North Yorkshire Police is seeking the owners of several bicycles recovered by police in West York on Sunday 1 November 2015.
Police tape1

On Sunday 1 November 2015 police recovered several bicycles from an address on Thoresby Road in West York. The bicycles are believed to have been stolen earlier that day, most likely in the Foxwood area of York. However, so far, only one of these bicycles has been reported stolen.

We are conducting enquiries in respect of these bicycles. In particular, we are seeking to identify their owners so that their bicycles may be returned to them.

If you have had a bike stolen recently please contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Alastair Foy. You may also email alastair.foy@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 12150194770.

 

York Police seek witnesses to two assaults

Witness appeal following five-a-side assault

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault on a man during a five-a-side football match in York.

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Then incident happened at the York Sports Village in Heslington, on Tuesday 29 September 2015.

Two local teams kicked off their game at 9.20pm. Towards the end of the game, a 28 year old man from York was punched in the face and knocked unconscious by a member of the opposing team.

The offender is described as a white man, aged early to mid-twenties with short shaven hair and of stocky/big build. He was wearing a red Liverpool football kit.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police. Dial 101, press 2 and ask to speak to PC Adrienne McCoubrey or email Adrienne.mccoubrey@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Witnesses sought to Bank Holiday daytime assault in York

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an assault that occurred on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August 2015, near the Castle car park in York city centre.

anpr_car

The assault took place in the alley next to Fenwicks between the Coppergate Centre and the Castle Carpark at 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday. A 15-year-old boy was punched in the face by a stranger, causing a cut to his face and damage to his glasses. The assault was witnessed by his younger brother.

Police are seeking witnesses who may have been in the Coppergate Centre, the alley next to Fenwicks, or the Castle car park around the time of the offence.

In particular, we are appealing for information about three males who followed the victim and his brother from the Coppergate Centre and into the alleyway where the victim was assaulted.

Male one is white, 17-18 years in age, about 6ft tall, slim, and has short dark hair. He was wearing a brown/green thigh length coat with a hood, a light coloured jumper underneath his coat, black tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down the side, and black trainers with white laces.

Male two is white, 15-16 years in age, about 5ft 6inches in height, and has short mousy blond hair. He was wearing A light brown coloured tracksuit and black trainers and he carried a black rucksack.

Male three is tanned, 12-13 years in age, about 5ft and with short blond hair. He was wearing a light grey hooded jumper and dark trousers.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 278 Hart.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12150153526.

Where next with flashing speed signs

The Council says it is reviewing the use of Vehicle Activated Signs.

These signs, which typically flash the prevailing speed limit to approaching vehicles, were introduced in York about 10 years ago.

Flashing speed signs indicating those that are afulty

Flashing speed sign locations indicating those that are faulty

York locations where speed is a concern Click to enlarge

York locations where speed is a concern Click to enlarge

They are now seen across the country with many now using a system which alerts drivers to their actual speed.

Sadly the Council has not maintained the signs in York and several have not been working for months.

Those that are faulty include the sign on Wetherby Road on the outbound carriageway. This was a problem location with the blind bend making it potentially hazardous for drivers reversing into their driveways.

A report to a meeting next week identifies £50,000 which will be used to repair the faulty signs. The signs have had some success as anyone, who watches vehicles approaching an illuminated sign, will see brake lights being applied by speeding drivers.

List of street where layout changes are proposed. Click to enlarge

List of street where layout changes are proposed. Click to enlarge

We think that a trial, where the actual speed of the vehicle is displayed, should be implemented  in the City.

There is also now a “smart” sign available which records the actual speed of passing vehicles (but not the identity) which would give traffic engineers valuable information about behaviours but without the need to set up special equipment.

Another  concern is the suggestion that the signs may only be installed “where an accident has been reported in the previous three years.”  

Whereas accident locations should get priority for signs and camera enforcement, we believe that sites where a proportion of vehicles exceed the 30 mph limit, would also justify maintenance of the signs.

The report proposes action to reduce speeding at 16 sites.  Most involve low cost lane marking changes. A complete list of detailed proposals for all locations can be viewed by clicking here

A list of sites to be reassessed – which includes Green Lane and Askham Lane – can be viewed by clicking here

There are three roads – including Moor Lane in Woodthorpe and two roads in Copmanthorpe – which have acknowledged speeding issues which have still to be addressed

No to cuts in Policing numbers in York – Petition launched

The Conservative Government is planning to cut the Home Office budget in November’s Comprehensive Spending Review and change the ‘Police Funding Formula’.

Teresa May police cuts

The North Yorkshire Police Federation has warned that these comibined cuts could see a reduction in police numbers and leave North Yorkshire Police (who cover York) with fewer police officers than when the force was founded in 1974. The Federation has called for North Yorkshire to be given a “fair deal” by the Government.

To show our support for North Yorkshire Police we have started the folloiwng petition which we urge you to sign:

I/We the undersigned oppose plans by the Conservative Government to cut the funding for the North Yorkshire Police.

Click here

Police arrest drink driver in Tesco Askham Bar car park

Drink driver Tesco3.5 times over limit

The Police are reporting that they arrested a drunk driver in Tesco car park, on Tadcaster Road, yesterday,

The driver was 3.5 times over the limit and had children with him in the vehicle

The police later said,

“Male arrested for drunk driving after being stopped with 2 young children in the car. He blew a disgraceful 124, over 3x the limit. The male was further arrested for disqualified driving and driving without insurance and will appear in court.

It transpires the driver was also disqualified from driving for a previous drink driving conviction.

It was a concerned member of the public who first alerted us, if you have any concerns about anyone who appears to be drunk or under the influence of drugs driving we urge you to contact us immediately.”

York Police advice on Halloween

York Police are asking children and residents to observe a code of conduct in the run up to Halloween. The following poster can be downloaded from their website

Trick or Treat

Parents should take responsibility for their children’s behaviour – know where they are at all times, and follow a few key dos and don’ts.

Do:

  • Only trick or treat in your own neighbourhood unless you’re with an adult
  • Stay in well lit areas where there are plenty of houses
  • Make sure an adult knows the area you plan to visit and what time you’ll be back
  • Look out for ‘no callers please’ posters and respect your neighbours
  • Keep to pavements and trick or treat on one side of the street before crossing safely to the other side – don’t criss-cross
  • Wait to eat any treats until you get home so that an adult can check them

Don’t:

  • Don’t cut through back alleys, ginnels or fields, and don’t trick or treat too far from home
  • Don’t go alone – take an adult with you or stay in a group
  • If you do decide to go trick or treating, please respect the wishes of householders who do not wish to take part, and please do not use the season as an excuse for anti-social or intimidating behaviour.

Even if you are not involved in trick or treating, bear in mind the following:

  • Not everyone appreciates trick or treaters. To prevent unwanted ghosts and ghouls, put a ‘no callers’ note on your front door.
  • If you are prepared to receive the local monsters, switch on your outside light and remove any trip hazards. If you set lanterns outside your front door with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that costumes won’t accidentally be set on fire.
  • If you are driving on the evening of the 31st, remember that excited children don’t always do as they are expected, so slow down in residential areas and take extra care.
    If things get out of hand, you feel intimidated, or someone’s safety is at risk, contact North Yorkshire Police.

Woodthorpe arrests

York Police just tweeted, “report received regarding 3 males taking advantage of vulnerable elderly male in Woodthorpe apparently having driven him to a cash machine.

Van sighted and stopped.

£400 belonging to victim recovered and 3 males arrested for fraud offences. Incidents like that are hard hitting and sickening and will not be tolerated.

These 3 males off the streets is a good result”

You can follow the local neighbourhood policing team on twitter @snayorkwest

York woman forfeits £2990 as Police announce award winners.

North Yorkshire Police have successfully obtained a forfeiture order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) against a woman from York, for cash amounting to £2990 that was seized during a drugs warrant.

Police

Yazmin Biggs, 61, has also been told she must pay £895 in costs to North Yorkshire Police’s Legal Services Department.

Police seized the cash during a search of the home address of Ms Biggs, following reports of drug related activity at the property.

When she appeared in court, Ms Biggs claimed that nothing illegal had taken place in relation to the cash. However when hearing the circumstances in which the cash was seized and details of the subsequent financial investigation, the Magistrates decided that it was more likely than not that the cash was derived from criminal activity.

T/Detective Inspector Rowland of the Force Economic Crime Unit said:

“This particular case once again demonstrates that even when the result of a criminal investigation no further action (NFA), if the cash is seized in suspicious circumstances the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) allows North Yorkshire Police to continue to investigate the origin and intended use of that cash.

“Officers from the force’s Economic Crime Unit will work hard to put evidence before a court and they will decide if the cash was derived from criminal activity or was intended for use in such activity.

“The outcome with Ms Biggs reinforces the message to those wishing to engage in criminal activity, that the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) will be used at every opportunity.”

Winners announced at the first North Yorkshire Police Annual Awards ceremony

Supporting the families of murder victims, saving a woman from suicide and encouraging hundreds of youngsters towards a positive lifestyle – those were just a few of the stories from North Yorkshire Police’s first Annual Awards ceremony, which was held at the Hospitium in York on Friday (23 October).

Annual Awards winners 2015 group shot

The Annual Awards event, which was attended by winners, their families and senior officers, was designed to recognise the achievements of officers and staff who embody the Force’s values of courage, compassion and inspiration.  It is the first such event to be held by North Yorkshire Police.
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