Police message re Silverdale Court area

Residents of Silverdale Court, Woodthorpe,

Police have received numerous reports of persons trying car door handles on Silverdale Court on Friday and Saturday evening.

The description ranges from one person up to 3 persons.

Please can we ask that if you see such activity that you report this matter urgently so we can respond to the area and attempt to detain those responsible.

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.”

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/ 

Police launch new Community Messaging service

North Yorkshire Community Messaging is a free community messaging system that allows residents to register to receive the latest Community messagingcrime notifications and community news happening in their local neighbourhood.

North Yorkshire Community Messaging allows residents to decide when and how they are kept informed about the issues that matter to them:

  • Choose your interests: Crime and Other Police Incidents, Rural Policing, Anti-Social Behaviour, Road Safety, Neighbourhood News and Events
  • Choose how to receive your alerts: Phone, email, text message or mobile app (launching soon)!
  • By area(s): School, home, places of work, elderly relatives

Registering for North Yorkshire Community Messaging is Safe, Secure and Easy – Just click  Join  and follow the step by step instructions.

The North Yorkshire Police have been under fire for failing to keep their social media channels updated during recent months.

This seems to us to be a worthwhile initiative which we hope will improve communications with residents

Police seek help following Tadcaster Road incident

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an incident that occurred in Tadcaster Road, York
Police tape2

It happened outside The Newington Hotel, Tadcaster Road, York, at 6.15pm on Saturday 5 March 2016, when men in a blue five-door hatchback car approached a young man.

We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

In particular, we are appealing for witnesses to the incident, and local addresses that may have CCTV covering the location and any drivers of blue five-door hatchback cars that may have been in the location at the time for elimination purposes.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Tony Barnes. You can also email tony.barnes@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 12160039467.

Crime levels in York rise

Figures published today by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) confirm that crime levels in York are increasing.
National Crime stats Jan 2016

click to enlarge

The main concern in York will be the violence figures which have crept up.

Also on the increase in recent months have been theft offences, drug misuse, non domestic burglaries and sexual offences,

The largest number of reports received by the Police concern anti social behaviour. ASB offences are not monitored on the national crime report.

The local Police commanders are at pains to point out that North Yorkshire, as a whole, is the safest county in which to live, in the whole of the country.

You can find out about crime incidents in your,and neighbouring, streets by clicking here

Police appeal for witnesses following theft on Hob Moor

Hob Moor

Hob Moor

 At about 8.50am on Tuesday 15 December 2015, the victim was walking along the track on Hob Moor Fields towards York, when he was approached by two men who were walking in the opposite direction, towards Acomb.

One of the men put his arm out and stopped the victim, and asked him to hand over any money or his watch. When the victim hesitated, he asked him again. The victim complied and handed the man £18 and his watch. Both of the men then ran off in the direction of York.

The first man is described as white, aged in his early twenties, 6ft 2ins tall, athletic build and broad shoulders. At the time of the incident he was wearing a black Adidas hoody which was pulled up over his head, light grey tracksuit bottoms and black trainers. He had an Irish accent. 

The other man is described as white, aged in his early twenties, 6ft tall and average build. He had the lower half of his face covered with possibly a black scarf and only his eyes were visible. He was wearing a black hoody which was pulled up over his head, loose fitting blue jeans and black Nike trainers. He had a Yorkshire accent. 

PC Amanda Popely, of York Police, said: “I am asking for witnesses who saw anyone in the area of Hob Moor Fields at the time to contact the police, as they may have important information that could assist the investigation.”

If you have any information about the theft, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Amanda Popely or York Police. You can also email amanda.popely@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12150221963 in connection with this incident.

22 drink driving arrests

In less than a week of Operation Attention, North Yorkshire Police have already made 22 arrests for drink and drug driving offences, resulting in 14 people being charged to court.
xmasdd13-cellThe highest reading so far has been provided on the fourth day of the campaign, by a 44-year-old woman arrested in Scarborough who blew 141ug – four times the legal limit (35ug per 100ml of breath.)

Other high readings include a 29-year-old man arrested in Catterick who blew 87ug – over two times the legal limit and a 21-year-old man arrested in Catterick who blew 88ug – two and a half times the legal limit.

Another drink driving arrest was made in York on Friday morning, where a 32-year-old man provided a reading of 60ug, one and a half times the limit. He had a child in the car with him at the time.

With the festive season upon us and lots of Christmas nights out planned, North Yorkshire Police is encouraging people to plan how they will get home and if they are intending to have a drink, to leave their car and not risk driving whilst under the influence.

Alongside detecting drink driving, officers are also operating roadside drug screening tests. Already there have been two positive results for drug driving – a 67-year-old man who is currently on police bail and the other a 29-year-old man, who is also on bail.

Traffic Sergeant Andy Morton of the Force’s Roads Policing Group said:

“Every Christmas we try and educate people about the devastation and heartbreak that drink and drug driving can cause. We appeal to members of the public that if they have information about anyone who is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass the details to the Force Control Room.”

“For those who would prefer to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. You could save someone’s life.”

“Anyone who is considering driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs should know that we will be out and about waiting. If you are convicted, be aware that you face disqualification from driving a hefty fine and the possibility of a prison sentence.”