How West Yorkshire Police is delivering the Police and Crime Plan

Police Summer Camp is massive success

Reducing crime and re-offending

29th August 2014Issue 017

A summer event for youths which is run by thepolice and funded through seized criminals’ cashhas been a massive hit for the fifth year running.

Police Summer Camp gives 500 young people thechance to see the different areas of policing aswell as learn useful skills such as first aid, teamwork and stranger safety. The event is run inpartnership by Bradford College and WestYorkshire Police.

The camp is funded by money seized fromcriminals using the Proceeds of Crime Act. Thisdirects cash that criminals earn back intocommunities for projects that help make them asafer place.

The children visited Carr Gate Training Complexwhere they were introduced to the police horses,public order training, police dog handlers and weretreated to a fly past by the police helicopter as itreturned to its helipad.

As well as a fun and educational activityfor children to take part in, SummerCamp helps to fill the summer holidaysand keep young people off the streetswhere they could be the victims of crimeor become involved in anti-socialbehaviour. The scheme successfullyteaches important life skills andintroduces them to a number ofpositive role models from the differentemergency services.

Reducing crime and re-offending

1

Often offenders set up false accounts using fakephotos and names. Some young people engagewith strangers online, not knowing who they aretalking to, how old they are, or their real intentions. Sexual predators can use online forums to groomtheir victims and encourage young people to meetup with the intention of committing a sexualoffence.

This is another strand of the child sexualexploitation campaign ‘Know the Signs’ which isspecifically tailored towards young people. Chatforums and interactive platforms present riskswhich make them susceptible to this type of crime.

The messages which are posted across WestYorkshire Police websites and social media willdirect users to an online page which features keyinformation and advice.www.westyorkshire.police.uk/who-r-u-talking-2.

To find out more about protecting young peopleand recognising the indicators of Child SexualExploitation go towww.westyorkshire.police.uk/cse

Young people in West Yorkshire are being madeaware of the risks associated with internet chatforums and social media websites by a new onlinemulti-agency campaign.

Internet, Facebook and Twitter posts have beenreleased which show an image of two teenagers inan online conversation. The graphic then revealsthat one of them is not the person they areclaiming to be.

Do you know who you’re really talking to?

In your area - Kirklees• Action on unsafe works vehicles and scrap vans in the Birstall area resulted in fines of over £1300, 9 points issued and 33 vehicles tested for illegal ‘red diesel’, resulting in an on the spot fine for £540

• A mobile bus was parked on Macaulay St outside the bus station for officers to engage with numerous members of the public by giving out various leaflets including summer holiday activities

• Test purchasing in Huddersfield found three of seven off licences sold alcohol to underage police volunteers and these have been fined

• Officers and PCSOs were out in force at the Mirfield show talking to people about crime prevention and community safety

Reducing crime and re-offending

2

Local kids help solve problem parkingPint sized ‘police officers’ have been handing outtickets to bad parkers outside a Leeds primaryschool with the help of Outer South Leeds Police.

Children from Westerton Primary School havehelped officers to patrol the surrounding streetsand have given out “friendly” parking tickets thatthey designed themselves while officers talked todrivers about the risks posed to pedestrians bydangerous parking.

The school has been working with PCSO NicolaWestle to put a stop to inconsiderate parking atpick-up and drop-off times. Westerton, one of thelargest schools in Leeds with 750 pupils, workedclosely with officers to try and resolve issues byvisiting vehicle owners.

Extra patrols were carried out at key times; ticketswere issued to offending vehicles and, along with

shoppers and businesses.

During the day police officers, who were supportedby Special Constables, made three arrests forshoplifting, one for theft of a mobile phone andarrested another person for begging. A buskerwhose street permit had expired was moved on aswere two other buskers who had attractedcomplaints from shop keepers and remained in anarea for a number of hours.

Alcohol was also confiscated from eight streetdrinkers with one given a legal direction to leavean area.

Meanwhile, volunteers handed out anti purse theft'bells' to residents and provided advice toshoppers on what they could do to protectthemselves from pickpockets. Town centre carparks were also checked by Kirklees Council staffto help deter drug use and anti-social behaviour.

a Road Safety Officer from Leeds City Council,PCSO Westle gave a talk to all 750 children.

A school assembly and presentation took place toexplain what work had been done and certificatesand road safety goodies were given to all 15children who took part.

Action day in Huddersfield Centre

Beggars, street drinkers and thieves have beentaken to task after police made arrests of thosecausing a nuisance in Huddersfield town centre.

The Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Teamjoined forces with Kirklees Council departmentsincluding community safety and licensing officials,Integrated Youth Services, Targeted Youth Supportand voluntary services to target those disrupting

3

Reducing anti-social behaviour

In your area - Leeds• A red van was involved in crime all across Leeds but particularly in Pudsey. An NPT Facebook appeal resulted in the van being found and recovered with the owner even handing himself in to police

• Two PCSOs caught a burglar in the act in the Holbeck area of Leeds as he tried to walk away carrying atelevision set. The man was arrested and charged

• Around 1000 people attended an open day at Wetherby police station which raised £700 for charity, Wetherby In Support of the Elderley (WISE)

• Officers in Chapel Allerton, Roundhay and Moortown held a day of action to clamp down on anti-social behaviour. Exhibition vans were deployed across the areas with 130 people visiting them to discuss localissues and get crime prevention advice

• 51 people were arrested in a crackdown on drug use at Leeds Festival

• Officers worked with Trading Standards to track down rogue traders selling gutter and roof repairs

Eight Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) warning lettershave been issued to youths in an area of Bradford.

Warning letters are given to individuals who causenuisance in their communities. It is the first stageof the Anti-Social Behaviour legislation and, ifignored, could lead to a premises closure, or atenancy agreement being terminated.

Officers have responded to complaints fromresidents in Great Horton who felt intimidated byASB in the area.

Warning letters for Great Horton youthsLocal PCSOs have also started daily patrols of thestreet to reassure the community and feedbackfrom residents has been positive who say that thearea is now much quieter. ASB Officers willcontinue to monitor and speak to residents toensure they do not encounter any furtherproblems.

If you are suffering from ASB in your communityplease call us on 101 or ring Crimestoppersanonymously on 0800 555 111.

4

Reducing anti-social behaviour

Specialist cars are on patrol in Wakefield thissummer to target people acting in an anti-socialmanner.

The Wakefield West Neighbourhood PolicingTeam has two dedicated patrol cars to deal solelywith anti-social incidents. The cars are staffed byofficers who have good local knowledge, includinglong term crime issues and known offenders.

This new initiative is a response to an increase inanti-social behaviour (ASB) during the summermonths with lighter nights and school holidays.

Having neighbourhood officers in the cars meanscalls are dealt with by people who know the issuesand can feed information back to partners inWakefield District Housing and the council.

If you are concerned about anti-social behaviourplease contact your local neighbourhood policingteam on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymouslyon 0800 555 111.

Speeding motorists on Halifax Road inNorthowram have been targeted in response tocomplaints from residents who were concerned ofthe increased danger in the rush hour.

The majority of motorists scanned during theoperation were driving between 25-28mph thoughnine motorists were travelling in excess of 35mphand the highest recorded speed was 46mph.

Drivers caught speeding are either required toattend a speed awareness course or will receive a£100 fine and three points on their driving licensedepending on their previous driving record.

Speed is one of the most significant factors in roadtraffic accidents, and speed limits are set takinginto account the road conditions and the land usearound the carriageway. Conducting speed checks

Brakes slammed on Northowram speeders

is an important way for the police to make sure thatthe county’s roads are kept safe for all road users.

New road patrols launched to tackle ASB

5

Supporting victims and witnesses

Cold callers kicked out of PontefractResidents of two areas of Pontefract are the latestto benefit from a No Cold Calling Zone whichprotects elderly and vulnerable people fromdoorstep crime.

The village of Thorpe Audlin and CavendishAvenue in Pontefract are now part of the schemewhich protects residents from individuals whoknock on their door unannounced.

The main purpose of the zone is to preventincidents of door step crime, raise awareness ofthe activities of rogue traders who targetvulnerable people, and give residents theconfidence to say no to uninvited callers.

Local police officers will work with partnersincluding the local councils and parish councils,Trading Standards and Neighbourhood Watchgroups to make sure the scheme is enforced.

Thornton police club makes a difference

Members of a police youth club have transformedthe garden of an elderly lady who had some of herlate husband’s items stolen from outside herproperty.

For further information on Cold Calling ControlZones please visit or call Citizens AdviceConsumer Helpline on 08454 040506.

PCSO Tracy-Anne Beasley attended the addressof the 78-year-old lady who explained that one ofthe stolen items was a garden ornament that herhusband had bought just before he passed away.

Tracy told her Police Youth Club what hadhappened and they were keen to help. Withdonated plants from Keelham Farm shop,Thornton they took trowels, shovels, brushes andpots they weeded and spent two hours working onthe lady’s garden.

The youth club was set up to encourage youngpeople to do something positive in theircommunity, get fit through exercise, prevent anti-social behaviour and make friends. To find outmore go to:www.westyorkshire.police.uk/bradford/bradford-west

6

Supporting victims and witnesses

In your area - Bradford• Officers attended at Laisterdyke Cricket Club and fitted 11 vehicles with number plate anti-theft screws

• A prolific shoplifter was jailed for four months and is banned from Keighley town centre shops after beingarrested and charged with a string of thefts

• A three-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) was given to a 24-year-old for causing distress to businesses and visitors to Bradford

• Elderly residents of Thornton were given advice on cold calling, bogus visitors, and crime prevention. UVpens, crime prevention leaflets and stickers, door/window alarms and window timers were handed out

• Patrols in Shipley by Bradford anti-social behaviour bike team resulted in a scooter seized and the ownerprosecuted

• PCSOs attended the Queensbury Donkey Derby to talk to residents about crime prevention and talk to young people about staying safe during the summer holidays

Art helps to ease victims

A local artist has added a splash of colour to thevulnerable victims' suite at Halifax.

Karen Clitheroe from Hebden Bridge kindlypainted a beach scene in the room at theRichmond Close site to help relax victims and theirfamilies as they speak to officers about theirordeals.

Detective Inspector Sharon Hewitt of theCalderdale Safeguarding Unit, said:"People coming to see us are often at a verydifficult time in their life.

"They are arriving at the Police station and relivingextremely traumatic events and we need to maketheir experience with us as bearable as possible. "We approached Karen to see what she could do- we needed a design that was calm and peacefulbut was appropriate to the seriousness of thesituation.

"After looking through hundreds of designs I thinkwe have struck the right balance. We need peopleto be comfortable with their surroundings and thefeedback so far has already been good. "As far as I am aware this is the only room like it inthe force - certainly the only time I have seenanything like it previously was within the NSPCC "

Tackling local, regional and national risksThieves given a ‘Shedache’Thieves in Kirklees have been warned by police tostay away from gardens, sheds and garages.

Dewsbury and Mirfield officers paid a visit toknown burglary suspects in the Norristhorpe areaof Liversedge as part of a day long operation todeter shed break-ins and the theft of gardenornaments and equipment.

The disruption visits to local offenders were justone part of a variety of actions which saw policeofficers visit second hand shops in the area tocheck for stolen property and remind staff aboutthe need to be vigilant.

Neighbourhood officers also spoke at length withresidents to advise them about how to betterprotect their sheds and gardens.

To avoid shed theft make sure garden sheds,gates, garages and outbuildings remain securelylocked when unmonitored. Don't leave items of

value such as tools, lawnmowers or bicyclesoutside in the garden – lock them away out of sight.Mark valuable items such as ornaments andfurniture with your postcode.

To find out more about protecting your property goto:www.westyorkshire.police.uk/crimeprevention

7

Prolific burglar, DamienWood, owned up to a stringof crimes when he wascaught in the act and waslater jailed for 40 months atLeeds Crown Court.

His confessions aided therecovery of stolen property

including a student’s laptop with vital universitywork on it and jewellery with sentimental valueand enabled him to own up to a list ofundiscovered crimes.

Wood, 37, of Pump Lane, Dewsbury Moor wasjailed for the burglary of two schools in Bradfordand Mirfield and at a house in Mirfield and askedfor 36 other offences to be taken intoconsideration.

He was arrested and bailed for the burglary of theBradford School and committed the other twooffences while on bail. He was caught after callinga taxi to move his loot, arousing the suspicions ofthe driver who took his photo and reported him tothe police.

Detective Inspector Andy Leonard of Kirklees CID,said: "As part of the court case Wood admitted alarge number of burglaries which has meant wehave been able to at least in part bring closure tothose victims.

“During interview, Wood was able to assist policeto recover some valuable property he had stolen,which we have also been able to return includinga student's laptop computer which contained vitalcourse work and jewellery which had an importantsentimental value to the victim."

Damien Wood

Remorseful burglar makes amends

Tackling local, regional and national risks

8

Man arrested at airport for stealing cigarettesOfficers based at Leeds Bradford InternationalAirport have stopped a man who was carrying outa cigarette theft scam.

Gheorghe Pacea, originally from Romania, wasarrested and charged with theft from World DutyFree at Leeds Bradford International Airport on 28July.

He had stolen cigarettes to a value of £4,000,having committed the same offence on two

previous occasions, each time leaving on a flightto Heathrow. On the day of his arrest he travelledto Leeds Bradford Airport and, when he wasstopped, he was in possession of a modified travelcase, which allowed for the cigarettes to be quicklyplaced inside.

Pacea admitted the thefts and was sentenced atLeeds Magistrates Court to 20 weeks in prison.

Cannabis farms rooted out in Leeds

Officers in Bramley and Armley uncovered fivecannabis farms following a targeted operation, ledby PC Chris Davey.

A total of 305 plants with a potential yield of£300,000 was seized along with thousands ofpounds worth of specialist growing equipment.

This operation was mounted following intelligencegathered by local police officers and PCSOs.Three of the properties searched were in Bramleyand two were in Armley. Four people werearrested and face potential prison sentences. Inaddition the financial means of the offenders willbe investigated and any income derived from theirdrug dealing confiscated and then ploughed backinto the communities that their crime hasdamaged.

If you suspect that a property in your area may beused for the cultivation of cannabis contact yourlocal Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.

In your area - Calderdale• Over 80 vehicles were stopped and had the tanks dipped for red diesel by Todmorden police with five penalty tickets with fines ranging from £100-£300 for mobile phones, driving without a current MOT andcarrying over weight loads

• A Cannabis farm has been found in the cellar of a detached house in Hebden Bridge with 45 plants seized. A 48 year old man was arrested and bailed

• A three-strike burglar was jailed for two and a half years for committing two burglaries in Pellon, Halifax

9

Inspector Ian Williams is chatting live withcommunities across Wakefield by hosting weeklyFacebook forums.

The sessions are held every Tuesday between6.30pm and 8pm on a rolling three week basis forCentral, Rural and North West NeighbourhoodPolicing Team areas.

Using social media is a way of reaching a largeaudience quickly and easily in the comfort of theirown homes as it is not always possible for officersor members of the public to attend communitymeetings.

The sessions have not replaced regularcommunity meetings which will continue asnormal, but are just another way that people canget in touch with their local officers.

Some questions can be answered on the spot andall the issues raised are proactively looked at anddealt with as appropriate by the NPTs and theirpartner agencies, with feedback posted on thelocal Facebook pages.

Anyone from the NPT areas who has ‘liked’ theirlocal page will be able to log on and take part. Tofind your local NPT go to:www.westyorkshire.police.uk/wakefield

Wakefield Neighbourhood Police get social

An efficient Criminal Justice System

Community Volunteers boost Little Horton

Community Volunteers have been workingalongside local officers in Holme Top and thesurrounding areas of Little Horton to spread theword about crime prevention.

They knocked on hundreds of residents’ doors tochat with people face to face and distributed crimeprevention leaflets. Householders receivedpractical advice on steps they can take to securetheir property against theft.

The volunteers gave up their Saturday andSunday evening to make a difference and supporttheir community. Some volunteers used theirbilingual skills to enable more people tocommunicate their concerns to the police.

West Yorkshire police is currently recruiting forvolunteers. To find out more go to:www.westyorkshire.police.uk/recruitment

An efficient Criminal Justice System

10

In your area - Wakefield• Castleford Academy School pupils have designed posters to prevent the illegal sale of alcohol to

underage people

• Road Safety Days took place at St Thomas a Becket School and Kettlethorpe High School in responseto a fatal accident in Notton last year involving high school-aged students

• PCSOs attended Willow Park Care Home to talk to people about keeping their valuables safe andavoiding doorstep crime

• Castleford NPT ran a multi-agency operation to check that vehicles were road worthy and not being usedfor criminal purposes in Glasshoughton

• A cannabis farm was detected and dismantled following an early morning drugs operation in Darnley

Thousands danced in Chapeltown's streetsat the Carnival while young people partied atthe festival. Lee Gap Fair near East Ardsleysuccessfully attracted over 3,000 attendeesto what is the longest established Travellerfair in the country.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, ofWest Yorkshire Police, said: "We haveenjoyed a truly vintage summer for majorevents in West Yorkshire, beginning on aspectacular high with the Tour De France andcontinuing this Bank Holiday weekend with theLeeds Festival and Chapeltown Carnival.

“The August Bank Holiday weekend is thebusiest of the year and officers work hard formonths in advance with the event organisers. Wehave seen very few incidents of crime or disorderand it has been a brilliant opportunity for localofficers to mix with residents in what are really funevents, as can be seen from our Twitter feeds.

"I want to thank those who attended all of theseevents and played their part in celebrating whyYorkshire is such a special place."

It may have rained, but the weather failed todampen spirits during this year's August BankHoliday weekend which saw thousands of peopleenjoying themselves safely, drawing the curtain onan amazing summer of public events in Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire Police has thanked attendees atboth the Chapeltown Carnival and Leeds Festivalfor playing their part in making the eventssuccessful and overwhelmingly peaceful andincident free.

Rain fails to dampen carnival atmosphere

11

Engaging with communities

Police station open day attracts crowdsMore than 5,000 people flocked to Halifax PoliceStation as officers threw the doors open to visitors.

Organisers were expecting a good turnout butwere delighted and pleasantly surprised as somany people came for a look behind the scenesat the Richmond Close site.

The aim of the day was to meet with members ofthe public and show them the work that goes intopolicing the District 24 hours a day, 365 days ayear which has resulted in significant crimereductions across Calderdale.

Crowds were entertained by Total AwarenessPromotions and acts included an Indian DanceWorkshop with Annapurna dance, the WestYorkshire Police band and even the occasionaldancing police officer.

Officers were also able to display a top of therange sports car - a Ferrari 360 Spider - which hadbeen seized by officers using the Proceeds ofCrime Act.

Police officers, Special Constables and PoliceCommunity Support Officers turned out innumbers to help keep West Yorkshire’s lesbian,gay, bi-sexual and transgender community safe asthey celebrated Leeds Pride at the start of August.

The event draws a crowd of around 30,000 peopleeach year for entertainment, a parade throughLeeds city centre and then a big party that goeson well in to the night. The crowds listened tospeeches from local dignitaries and serviceproviders, including West Yorkshire PoliceAssistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, whotalked about the need to report all hate crimes tothe police.

West Yorkshire Police had an engagement stall atthe event where revellers could have theirphotographs taken in police uniforms and in thecage of a police van. Alongside the light-heartedengagement were important messages about hatecrime, bullying in schools and advertising SpecialConstable recruitment opportunities.

Policing West Yorkshire with Pride

A great day was had byall and we have hadsome extremelypositive feedback fromthe local community onsocial media channels.