Agenda item

3.1    Independent Police Councillor Craig Shaw gave an update on the current changes with the holder of Inspector post for the area. Inspector Phil Cain who took over the area couple of months ago has now moved to work as Chief Inspector in the Control Room. Iain Surrell will temporarily cover the Inspector post for the area until permanent replacement is found. Apologies were given for short notice and lack of continuity regarding the Inspector post holder.

3.2    Pc Mark Antonelli gave an update on the recent police restructure.

Changes to the police structure made on 21^st March 2011 resulted in change to policing boundaries. York was divided into four areas: York Central, York West, York East and York Rural. Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward was divided to small ‘individual communities’ with dedicated Police officer attached to each of them. Police officers can also be delegated to the hot spots in the area if required.

PC Mark Antonelli became the beat manager for Dringhouses,  Woodthorpe and Westfield together with PC Colin Park allowing cover 7 days a week.

3.3    Crime statistics for the ward are available on request from PC Antonelli. The number of ASB incidents has dropped down comparing to year 2009 with no identified hot spots at the moment.

Target hardening bid for shed bars and locks was submitted along with information letter drop to target slight increase in burglaries.

3.4    Operation ‘Secure’ is progressing in York West currently. The purpose of the operation is to minimise shed and garage burglaries identifying hot spots and delegating officers to those areas.

Residents were given the opportunity to raise questions.

Q       There is an issue with drivers parking on the pavements; can I contact the police to report the problem? PCSO’s used to be more visible on the streets, dealing with drivers who were parking on the pavements. They are not as visible now, why has that happened?

A       Police is not dealing with all parking related issues any more, as Local Authority has taken over some parking enforcement powers. We can only action in the event when car parked on the pavement is causing obstruction that makes it impossible for you to walking past it.

Councillor Semlyen has suggested at this point that parking enforcement and highway management representative should be invited to next meeting to answer those questions.

Q       Police could take some initiative and instead of going through formal action route simply talk to the offending driver and address the issue.

A       I agree with that and will pass your suggestion back to our team.

Q       We had the conversation regarding parking issues before and not gone anywhere further since year 2009. What could you do as the police to stop people from parking on grass verges?

A       We can issue fine for causing the obstruction and after certain time we can remove the obstructing vehicle.

Councillor Semlyen has said that someone from the City of York Council Parking Services will be invited to the next meeting and as we have no knowledge to answer the questions related to parking issues we should move to another topic. 

Concern was raised by one of the residents that at the public meeting everyone should be given an opportunity to voice a question. 

Q       There is an issue with vehicles parking and causing obstruction on Nelson Lane and someone from traffic management has told me that it will be looked into in the future, when will that be?

A       Highways are looking at the issues on the ward by ward basis. We can check where Dringhouses and Woodthorpe is on their timetable and try to push it forward.

Q       Why do car owners keep on parking and obstructing the pavements?

Q       There is an issue with cars speeding on Moor Lane. Would it be possible to enforce 30mph or lower speed there?

A       City of York Council has put the 30mph zone signage there. Some of our Safer Neighbourhood Team members were trained on use of speed guns, but we are not allowed to use them any more. We can report speeding issues to Fulford traffic management unity who can schedule their vehicle to patrol the area more often.

Q       Could you let us know who is the contact person regarding parking related issues?

A free phone number 0800 1381119 should be used to report all issues related to incorrectly parked vehicles.

Relevant officer will also be invited to the next meeting to answer your questions.

Q       What are the opening hours of Acomb Police Station?

A front enquiry desk is open 2 hours a day; Mondays and Saturdays 10:00am – 12:00noon, Tuesdays and Fridays 2:00pm – 4:00pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays 6:00pm – 8:00pm. The Station is fully operational 24 hours a day and is you are a victim of crime your query will be dealt with at any time. For non emergency queries please ring: 0845 6060 247.

Q       Is operation SPOKE still taking place?

A       We had dedicated surgeries at York College in the past, but as far as I know there are none scheduled for the future.

Q       Would it be possible for you to provide security marking for cycles at the next meeting? You also provide cycle tagging at the schools; could other residents attend those sessions and get their cycles marked?

A       Regarding the cycle tagging during ward meeting we had done that before. About attending the cycle security marking sessions at the schools it needs to be discussed with each school.

Craig Shaw has agreed to sort that matter out.

Q       Cycle Centre on Toft Green provides security marking service for bicycles; could that be extended to residents of Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward?

A       I will take that suggestion back to the team and we will look at the possibility of advertising that service in Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward.

Q       The number of young people on cycles and scooters around York College will increase when the new term start, are you prepared for that?

A       We are prepared and will maintain the good practice from previous years.