Agenda item

Sgt Andy Haigh from the Heslington/Fulford Safer Neighbourhoods Team gave an update on the policing issues in the ward.

Heslington Ward

• 167 crimes last year, down from 183 the year before
• Assault is down from 11 incidents last year to 5 this year.  The degree of severity in this category can vary quite a lot.
• Auto-crime and burglary are both down.
• Incidents of criminal damage have gone up.  Most occurring at the University.

Q. Is it students who are responsible for these incidents?

A. No, it is generally people going onto campus. Mainly bike theft.

Fulford Ward

• 145 Crimes this year, which is slightly up on last year.
• 87 Crimes in ‘Other’ category.  This includes things like shoplifting. We have encouraged retailers at Macarthur Glen to report incidents which has put up the numbers here.
• Burglaries and assaults are down.
• Auto-crime has risen a little.
• Anti-social behaviour in Fulford is up 23 incidents from last year at 225.  In Heslington, the figure is 83 incidents, down from 98 last year.

• What do these numbers mean?  In Westfield, there are over 2,000 crimes, in Guildhall over 3,000.  By comparison, Heslington and Fulford is a low crime area.

Police Priorities

• 1. Traffic problems are passed on to Traffic management. Don’t believe that anywhere in Heslington or Fulford is currently considered high priority.  But there are forms available at the meeting  to report problem areas, and this may be reconsidered.
• 2. Anti-social behaviour. Trying to get involved with youth services as many cases involve young people.  This problem does increase in summer, so you are encouraged to call us with any incidents.
• 3. Problem cyclists. We have been out three times since March educating the public and issuing tickets where necessary.   We try to use common sense as much as possible.

Police Pledge.

• This lays out our promise to you. Copies are available at the meeting. The SNT will be in the neighbourhood 80% of the time. We will get back to you within 24 hours of receiving your enquiry.

Call for questions

Q. Is dog fouling classed as anti-social behaviour?

• No. Don’t report this to the police. Contact Clair Bailey-Lane (Street Environment Officer).

Q. What are the police doing about the traffic lights at the Heslington Lane/Broadway junction?

• We have been dealing with cyclists so officers have been present, but have not really received any complaints.

Q. Is this a big issue? There are a number of cars abusing the red lights.

• We could spend some time down there. I think that perhaps the problem has eased. Its unlikely that we would ever be able to stop it completely.

Q. When is the CCTV on Main Street and Fulford Road going to be working?

• Have not been told yet.
• Keith Aspden: It will be to monitor traffic rather than security.

Q. Is it operational yet?

• KA: Have not been told. I have e-mailed the Council expressing concerns about the impact on Fulford Conservation area, but I do not know if it is currently operational."

Q. What is the policy on illegal parking?

• AH: If a vehicle is causing an obstruction, then we can deal with it, but if its parking on yellow lines, then that is something for the council to deal with.