Agenda item

Your local police team will give an update on issues in your ward and answer any questions you have.

3.0    PC Richard Gatecliffe gave an update on the change to policing boundaries and the Police work in Walmgate area. New tighter policing areas with dedicated officers allow more efficient work. 

          Questionnaires were recently issued in the community to survey residents’ perception of police work.

3.1    Street drinkers are the major problem in the area. Police are trying to tackle that problem by engaging with offenders, confiscating alcohol and displacing them to another area. Confiscation of closed alcohol containers is considered as an option for the next year.

The highest number of interventions related to street drinking this year was recorded between June and July.

There are three categories of street drinkers and each has to be approached differently. Joint work with Salvation Army is taking place to deal with alcohol dependant people.

The following questions were raised:

Q       When you ask street drinkers to move out of the area, where do they actually go?

A       They will be either directed to the area they are not familiar with, or to their home address.

Q       Public phone on Walmgate was vandalised recently. Are you aware of that?

A       We are aware of the issue.

Q       Street drinkers are often congregating near the entrance to St Olave’s Church, under Walmgate Bar and on the grass area near Monk Bar.

A       Thank you for this information. Please call our nonemergency number to report all issues with people drinking alcohol on the street.

Our officers are now equipped with personal cameras that allow to record up to 8 hours of audio and video. Records from those cameras can be then presented as a proof in front of the court.

Q       Will the crime statistics be presented tonight?

A       You can find the information on crime figures on the leaflets presented in the surgery area. A more comprehensive report on crime statistics will be prepared for the next meeting.

3.2    PCSO Milligan gave an update on Police work in The Groves and Monkgate area.

          There are two designated public places in the area, however there is a gap between them and street drinkers are often being displaced there.

Future strategy for restricted drinking zones is being looked at currently.

The following questions were raised.

Q       Have you considered designating the areas where people are allowed to drink?

A       That is being looked at as part of the designated public places review.

Q       There is an issue with drug users in Monkgate area, especially outside Monkagte Health Centre. Often people are consuming alcohol and taking drugs while waiting for their friends who have an appointment at the health centre. Police should cooperate with Monkgate Health Centre to tackle that issue.

It is also difficult to prove and report people taking drugs as the act of taking the drug happens quickly and is not very visible.

A       That matter is currently being discussed with the PCT.

Q       Leeds has a zero-tolerance policy towards street drinking in the city centre. There is a rumour that people are coming from Leeds to consume alcohol in York, is that true?

A       This is a false rumour. All street drinkers in York are well known to us. We do share information related to street drinkers with other agencies.

Q       Are you liaising with the jobcentre regarding the issue of street drinking in the area?

A       We are aware of the issue in the jobcentre area and are working together with Street Environment Officer to tackle it. The jobcentre have no power to deal with street drinkers outside their offices. We also work closely with the jobcentre security guard.

The following comment was raised at this point.

There was a bench outside The Unitarian Chapel; sadly it had to be removed due to issue with drug users leaving needles there.

Q       There was homeless person sleeping outside my house on Union Terrace for several days. Are you able to take action and help homeless people?

A       York Arc Light is a charity that provides accommodation and support to homeless men and women in York. We do meet with them on a fortnightly basis and work together to tackle homelessness in York. However York Arc Light deals with its residents only.