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.”

York Police Halloween and Bonfire night advice

York Police are urging people enjoy the Halloween and Bonfire Night period in the right spirit.

Police call for communities to stay safe this Halloween and Bonfire NightPolice officers, Police Community Support Officers and Special Constables will be carrying out patrols in local communities to ensure that everyone feels safe, and to deal with any issues that do occur.

Incidents of reported anti-social behaviour on Bonfire Night in North Yorkshire have been falling year-on-year, from 145 reported incidents on 5 November 2011; 97 in 2012; 99 in 2013; 93 in 2014; down to 87 last year – and police will be working hard to ensure the trend continues this year.

Shop owners are being asked to make sure that they don’t sell items such as eggs and flour to young people who may be using them to commit anti-social behaviour. They are also being reminded about legislation governing the sale and use of fireworks.

No trick or treat, thank youMeanwhile, leaflets will be delivered to residents who may feel more vulnerable at this time of year, providing them with advice and contact details for local officers. Posters are available on the North Yorkshire Police website to download and print out, asking people not to ‘trick or treat’.

Assistant Chief Constable Lisa Winward, 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 causes concern and increases the fear of crime.

“I would like to ask parents and guardians to speak to their children, to ensure that they understand how their actions could leave others distressed or upset. And if you know that a family member or neighbour is vulnerable, please keep an eye out for them to help prevent them from becoming concerned about being a victim of crime.

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

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.

Police issue Halloween and bonfire night advice

North Yorkshire Police are urging people to act responsibly and stay safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

Halloween

Although this time of year is seen as fun by many, there are those in our communities for whom it causes concern and increases the fear of crime.

Police officers and Police Community Support Officers will be undertaking patrols to ensure that residents and visitors feel safe and that the impact of any anti-social behaviour can be reduced.
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York Police step up Halloween patrols

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.

Haloween

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

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