South Leeds - West Yorkshire Police

South Leeds
April 2015
See page 2.
Officers have been undergoing river safety
training and offering support to West
Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service as part of
the Drowning Prevention and Water Safety
Week (13 - 19 April).
The week has been scheduled in April to
start the water safety awareness year early,
as drowning's take place throughout the
year. In the last five financial years (April
2010 – March 2015) West Yorkshire Fire and
Rescue Service has been called to 107 water
rescue incidents across the county – nine of
which resulted in fatalities. During the same
period for the Leeds district specifically,
crews were called to 47 water rescue
incidents – which resulted in five of the
fatalities. Out of the 47 Leeds district water
rescue incidents, 31 were from the River
Aire and two resulted in fatalities.
Sergeant Claudine Binns and her team of
PCSOs from Leeds Central Police Station
attended Kirkstall Road Fire Station for a
presentation by West Yorkshire Fire &
Rescue. They were then taught the correct
methods of deploying safety ropes for
rescuing individuals that may have ended up
in rivers or canals in Leeds City Centre.
After a demonstration at the station,
everyone went down to the Leeds Canal
next to the Hilton Double Tree to
demonstrate their new skills. Selected
members entered the water in specialised
equipment whilst the PCSOs deployed the
safety ropes to save Officers from West
Yorkshire Fire & Rescue.
In the past, individuals have been drawn to
the cooling waters on a hot day, only to find
that they are simply not capable of
functioning in the low temperatures in the
deeper water.
Even individuals who consider themselves
strong swimmers can be caught out by
hyperventilation or muscles going into
cramp making it impossible to swim. We
would like to remind people they should
never enter water themselves to try and
rescue individuals as they too could require
rescuing.
With the combined efforts of West
Yorkshire Police and Fire & Rescue, we are
pleased to say that there are now more of
us trained on how to save lives.
Raising
dementia
awareness
As part of the commitment, Dementia
Community Champions are being
introduced within districts and departments
who will act as dedicated points of contacts
and ensure that the specific needs of people
with dementia are taken into account in all
investigations. A resource library is also
being compiled to assist staff and officers
with best practice in dealing with those with
West Yorkshire Police is raising awareness dementia.
among its staff and officers of the
Sergeant Vanessa Rolfe, of the Force
condition, and has joined the Dementia
Performance Improvement Unit, said:
Action Alliance as part of a commitment by “Dementia is a condition which has no
the Force to improve the services provided barriers, it affects men and women and
to those with dementia.
people of all backgrounds. What some
The term “dementia” is used to describe a people may also not realise is that while it
group of illnesses which causes a
mainly affects older people, it can also affect
progressive decline in the ability to
younger people.
remember, to learn, to think and to reason.
“As a police force we are committed to
The Force has signed up to the Herbert
ensuring that those with dementia who
Protocol to enable family and friends to put come into contact with the police are
systems in place to allow for early
supported and have their specific needs
intervention when loved ones go missing.
taken into consideration, whether that be as
a victim, witness, offender or missing
person.
“It is important that our officers and staff
are able to recognise the signs and
symptoms of dementia both to
appropriately deal with the immediate
situation but also to refer the person on to
other services as required.”
Dementia Friendly’ stickers are being put
on all marked West Yorkshire Police vehicles
to highlight the Force’s commitment and to
further raise awareness with Force
employees and the general public.
Did you know?
• for every 100 people aged 65
and over, 7 have dementia.
• this figure rises to 1 in 4 aged
85 and over.
• 65-80% of people with
dementia live in their own home.
Cracking down on car crime
Officers are raising the issue of car crime
after a recent increase of theft from motor
vehicles in the Drighlington area of Leeds.
We have come across numerous vehicles
where property has been left on display.
The types of Items regularly spotted by
PCSOs included sat-navs, laptop, coats,
money, mp3 players and a number of bags.
Easy pickings for a thief!
Please follow these simple steps which
may prevent you from becoming a victim:
• When you leave your vehicle please make
sure there is no sat-nav or cradle left on
display. If you have used a cradle with a
suction cup wipe the mark off the
windscreen (a tell-tale sign to a thief!).
• Don't leave property on show or hide it in
obvious places like under the seats or glove
box. Take it with you. If you leave any
tell-tale signs there might be something
of value in your vehicle these are the first
places thieves will look.
• Don't leave coats or bags on display.
Thieves may think they have purses or
wallets inside and break in to check.
• Walk around your vehicle and look in - can
you see anything on display? This takes
seconds and could save you hours in
arranging repairs or replacements for
property.
Get into a routine each time you leave
your vehicle and make the checks. Don't
give thieves an easy ride!
Find out more at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/bespecial
West Yorkshire Police have been
involved in an initiative to tackle
racism through a number of
educational workshops.
The “Show Racism The Red Card”
scheme has been launched in schools
across Leeds District and offers a series
of workshops to students from
reception age through to school
leaving age which address issues of
discrimination across the five
recordable strands of hate crime.
The topics included race, faith,
disability, sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Leading the project are PC Sean
McDonald whom is one of the Leeds
District Hate Crime Co-ordinators and
Halle Majors from the Leeds Anti-Social
Behaviour Team.
There is also a dedicated team of
volunteers to assist in delivering the
programme across the city.
The workshops involve practical
activities for students which address all
relevant issues around hate crime and
equality and also challenges the
perceptions and stereotypes that may
be held , which are normally associated
with discrimination. The workshops are
compatible with the school curriculum
and are Ofsted approved.
Various partners are also involved in
the process including Leeds Rhinos
RLFC and upon successful completion
of the workshops, schools receive a
“Show Racism The Red Card”
certificate.
The project aims to cover as many
schools as possible and to imbed a
culture of understanding and tolerance
amongst students towards others,
which will go some way to preventing
incidents of hate crime in the future.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan of the
Leeds Rhinos presents a
certificate to Joanne
O’Donnell at Tinshill
Learning Centre, one of the
participants in the initiative.
Fix up parking…
or get a Fixed
Penalty Notice!
This vehicle was issued a Fixed Penalty
Notice by a PCSO on Commercial Street in
Rothwell.
It is an area in which complaints were
raised at the Rothwell Partners &
Community Together (PACT) meeting with
regards to breaches of driving restrictions
on the street. Hopefully it illustrates that
when we receive information we will always
act.
The next community meeting will be on
Wednesday 6th May 2015 at the Royds
Court Sheltered Housing, LS26 0TQ at 7pm.
Its your chance to discuss local issues and
help us set Policing priorities. Everyone is
welcome to attend!
West Yorkshire Police teamed up with local
organisations recently in a bid to tackle
crime and environmental issues.
The day of action was recently carried out
in the Crossgates, Swarcliffe and Whinmoor
areas of Leeds. Ward Manager, PC Martin
organised the multi – agency day of action
on Thursday 19th March, 2015. This included
VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency)
from the Department for Transport, HM
Customs and Revenue, Leeds City Council
Environmental Department, Swarcliffe
Housing and numerous police departments.
The high visibility operation was a success
with the following results:
• 62 vehicles stopped and checked
including 1 motorbike and 11 vans.
• 3 drivers issued with vehicle defect
notices (VDRS’s) by Police.
• 5 Prohibition Notices issued by VOSA.
• 1 driver arrested for driving whilst over
the prescribed limit.
• 1 vehicle seized for driver having no
licence and no insurance.
• 1 driver issued with a formal warning for
carrying waste material without the correct
licence.
• 26 victims of crime (burglaries) re-visited,
crime prevention advice given and target
hardening devices provided.
• A further 15 victims were also visited on
Saturday 21st March.
• Housing conducted annual tenancy
checks.
• The Leeds City Council environment team
were out in force conducting street cleaning
and litter picking.
Further operations will be planned over
the coming months.
Recording suspect interviews on tapes will
soon be a thing of the past for West
Yorkshire Police.
The Force is now going digital with state of
the art machines being installed across the
county.
West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief
Constable Geoff Dodd said it will help bring
further efficiency savings to the Force:
"This transformation from analogue to
digital will save West Yorkshire Police
£15,000 a month on tapes alone.
"We have rigorously tested the machines
and used it over the busy Christmas period.
Staff found it helped make the investigative
process quicker, smoother and more
effective.
"Officers are able to access interviews from
any device connected to the force’s
network, increasing the amount of time
they can spend in our communities.
"The improved quality of audio makes for
easier and more accurate transcriptions,
with the additional benefit of visual
recordings available if needed.
"In the future, it will be possible for
officers to record audio and video
interviews away from police premises, using
a portable version of the new machines.
"Digital Interview Recording brings us even
closer to the forefront of modern policing,
allowing us to ensure the best possible
service for the victims and witnesses of
West Yorkshire."
PC John Thornton from the Bradford’s
Suspect Management Unit said it is a great
improvement on the old way of working:
"The new digital format is easy and
paperless, allowing you to quickly listen
back to an interview.
"In the future we’re hoping to be able to
share recordings with other partner
agencies electronically, increasing the speed
of our processes.
"Ultimately, the money we save can be put
towards frontline policing and protecting
our communities."
Crime in West Yorkshire is at a 31-year low,
latest figures released reveal.
However, continuing financial pressure and
reducing resources mean the success of the
past year will be increasingly difficult to
sustain in future.
West Yorkshire Police continues to drive
down crime with 1,635 fewer victims of
crime in the year up to the end of March,
when compared with the same period the
previous year.
Reductions in house burglary and other
burglaries have been recorded with 760
fewer victims and the number of thefts from
vehicles is down by 2,743 offences.
Criminal damage and theft are also down
with a 27.4 per cent reduction in thefts from
people.
West Yorkshire Police Temporary Chief
Constable Dee Collins said: "Crime is now
back at levels last seen in the early 1980s.
This is a tremendous performance when
considering the challenging financial climate
we have been operating in during recent
years.
"Our officers and staff continue to work
hard to reduce crime and these results are
testament to their efforts. However as we
move forward with diminishing resources it
is difficult to see how this downward trend
can be sustained – in fact, we are already
seeing an upturn in some crimes.
Launched in January 2012, Street Angels
Leeds was set up to help make Leeds City
Centre a safer place to be on a night out.
We help people stay safe and we reduce
crime. Look out for us.
Our teams are out every Friday and
the occasional Saturday and work from our
base at Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane.
You can't miss our teams, who are out and
about from 10pm - 3am, as we wear bright
yellow jackets labelled Street Angel! We
work alongside other agencies and our aim
is to provide practical care, listening ears
"We are committed to doing everything we
can to deliver the best quality service to
support the public of West Yorkshire. We
are investing in the very latest technology to
support the work of our frontline staff and
looking to deploy all our resources in the
most cost effective and efficient way."
Changes in the way crimes are recorded
and increased victim confidence to report
offences has led to increases in recorded
violent crime – up by 5,531 offences mainly non-injury crimes such as verbal
harassment and common assault, and
sexual offences which are up by 1,353.
This reflects the trend nationally and is also
as a result of a change in recording practices
which puts victims as the focus and has
their crime reports recorded at the earliest
opportunity. This results in a better service
with victims reassured that their calls are
responded to quickly and effectively. Rates
of violent offending in West Yorkshire
remain low compared to other similar sized
force areas.
T/CC Collins added: "We are constantly
developing our procedures to ensure crimes
are recorded accurately, offering the best
possible service to victims ensuring they are
confident that their concerns will be taken
seriously and dealt with positively and
robustly.
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire
Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "It is
reassuring to see that overall crime across
West Yorkshire has fallen. These figures
demonstrate that West Yorkshire Police
officers and staff continue to work hard to
help bring down crime despite severe
budget pressures.
"I have raised with the Temporary Chief
Constable the issue of increases in recorded
violent crime and sexual offences and we
are discussing what more can be done to
bring these figures down.
"It is however positive that we have seen
decreases across many crime types, but this
does need to set alongside crime recording
issues, and although a lot of work is being
done by West Yorkshire Police to address
this, I will continue to closely monitor the
outcomes of this work.
"West Yorkshire Police has had to work
with fewer and fewer resources after severe
Government cuts –but these figures
demonstrate that the hard work and
continued commitment of officers, staff and
colleagues working in organisations tackling
crime is currently working.
"While it is reassuring that crime has
reduced, police officers and staff are
required to deal with more and more
complex issues such as Child Sexual
Exploitation (CSE), cyber crime, human
trafficking and counter terrorism.
"I consider data such as this on a timely
basis to ensure issues are identified quickly
and acted upon."
and look out for people as they work and
play in all the city has to offer.
Street Angels carry on them a bag of stuff
to keep you safer…
■ Spikey - a top to go in your bottles that
stops people dropping unwanted
substances in your drink.
■ H2O - water - helping keep you hydrated!
■ Flip-Flops - for when the high heels won't
do!
■ Lollipops - believe it or not calm people
down, stop aggression and boost sugar
levels!
■ Foil blanket - to stop people freezing
(helpful in the Yorkshire winters!)
■ Taxi Numbers - to help you get home
safe!
We are also linked to CCTV via a radio
which also connects us with the emergency
services. Some of the Street Angel
volunteers are first aid trained and so are
able to offer low level first aid to people on
the street.
You can find us on Facebook and Twitter
(as well as the streets) - so do ‘like’ and
‘follow’ us and if you see us come and say
hello!
For more information please visit:
www.leedsstreetangels.org.uk
Twitter: @LdsStreetAngels
Facebook: Street Angels Leeds
A clean sweep on Rothwell
Local Officers helped out with a local
community project on the John O’ Gaunts
estate in Rothwell recently.
Residents and partner agencies pulled
together to improve the local environment.
Those living on the estate spent time
helping to clear up and clean up the area.
All in all, it was a productive day and we
would like to thank all of those who
supported the event!
Contact point for residents
• Meet your local PCSO.
• Discuss issues with them.
• Seek advice - in confidence.
Every Saturday at the St. George’s
Centre, St. George’s Road, Middleton,
LS10 4UZ. 9.30am - 11.30am.
Van owners are being warned to ensure
their vehicles are secure after a recent
increase across West Yorkshire of the theft
of Ford Transits.
Officers have launched an operation after a
substantial increase in the theft of Transits
that are of a 2010 model or onwards.
And it is thought that thieves are using a
new way to steal the vehicles.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Thomas in
charge of Operation Hewton, said:
"There has been a recent spate of thefts of
these vehicles so it is important that we get
the warning out there about what is
happening. We are doing all that we can to
ensure that offenders are brought to justice
and this includes working with
manufacturers, partners and neighbouring
forces to disrupt the market that supports
this criminal activity.
"I am coordinating a wide range of covert
and overt operational policing activity
across West Yorkshire and this includes
specific operations where vehicles have
been stopped by marked Police vehicles or
officers to ensure they have not been
stolen.
"We have also carried out a number of
warrants in the West Yorkshire area linked
to this type of theft, made a number of
arrests and recovered five stolen vans."
There has been a 91.2% increase in van
theft across the force in the last six months.
Of those thefts, over 60% are of Ford
Transits of models from 2010 or more
recent. Most of those Transit thefts (72.8% or 268 thefts) are by 'unknown' means.
DCI Thomas added: "We believe offenders
are taking the vehicles without the key - so
using locksmith keys and jamming
equipment and then selling them for parts.
"We are writing to all Ford Transit van
owners in West Yorkshire that show up on
our records to warn them about the recent
increase and to tell them what they can do
to reduce the threat.
"Advice includes leaving the vehicle at
work whenever possible, or leaving it in a
well lit area. Owners can also purchase
additional security systems. If you buy
anything make sure you try to buy
something that are Sold Secure or Thatcham
accredited / approved. A good old fashioned
steering wheel lock will prevent many of
these offences.
"Always ensure your vehicle is locked at all
times and whenever possible do not leave
tools in the back whilst not in use.
"I am also appealing directly to van owners
to work with us. So if you are stopped by a
marked Police vehicle or officers during a
policing operation please be aware that it is
for a good reason as we try to bring the
thieves to justice.
"Also, if anyone has information about
thefts please contact Police directly on 101."
"Always ensure your vehicle is
locked at all times and whenever
possible do not leave tools in the
back whilst not in use”
Detective Chief Inspector Steve
Thomas
Needle Threat Beggar
Banned From City Centre
A persistent beggar who threatened a
member of bar staff with a hypodermic
needle has been banned from Leeds city
centre.
In a case brought by Leeds Anti-Social
Behaviour Team, James Karman, aged 29, of
Holborn Street, Leeds, was made the
subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order when
he was sentenced at Leeds Magistrates
Court for threatening behaviour and
possession of crack cocaine.
The court heard that in January this year,
Karman had been seen asking people for
money outside Whitelocks Ale House, in
Turk’s Head Yard.
When he was challenged by a 27-year-old
barman, Karman became aggressive and
threatened him saying: "You know my
reputation and you know what I do with
needles".
He left when members of the public tried
to intervened but shouted "I’ll be back in
thirty minutes to mess you up".
He was arrested two hours later and when
searched in police custody was found to
have a small quantity of crack cocaine.
He was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks in
prison, which included a previous
suspended sentence.
The Criminal Behaviour Order, which last
five years, bans him from the city centre
other than to attend court or see his
solicitor via prior appointment. It also
prohibits him from approaching anyone to
ask for money, sitting or loitering with any
article used for begging, such as a cup, hat
or box, possessing an uncapped hypodermic
needle, and acting in a manner likely to
cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Got a question about
policing and the law?
Another condition bars him from entering
any building or premises that he has already
been banned or excluded from in West
Yorkshire after being issued with a warning
by Leeds City Council or West Yorkshire
Police.
If he breaches the order he is liable to
arrested and face further prosecution.
In separate proceedings brought by Leeds
City Council, Karman was made the subject
of an injunction banning him from entering
the Meynell Heights tower block, in
Holbeck, where he has been involved in
drug taking and anti-social behaviour.
Karman was identified as a persistent
beggar in the city centre who would target
customers drinking or eating in courtyards
or outdoor seating areas of licensed
premises.
When challenged by members of staff he
would threaten to assault them.
He has also been known inject drugs and
leave uncapped needles in toilets in bars
and theatres. Superintendent Sam Millar,
who heads the city’s community safety
partnership Safer Leeds, said: "This case is
another really good example of how the
police and council are working in
partnership to make full use of the available
legislation to address behaviour that has an
ongoing detrimental effect on the lives of
people in the city.
"This case has been the subject of a
multi-agency conference with a range of
partner agencies who provide support to
people who beg on the streets.
"It is important we take a balanced and
co-ordinated approach and our priority
should always be the wellbeing of the
Ask The Police is the official police resource
for England and Wales. With an A– Z of
frequently asked questions and the option
to send your own questions in too, it’s a
valuable resource.
You can access the website at:
www.askthe.police.uk
individual involved. Enforcement action is
always the last resort and is only done when
people ignore the offers of help that are
available from a number of partner
agencies."
Councillor Mark Dobson, Leeds City
Council’s executive board member with
responsibility for Safer Leeds said: "Safer
Leeds is continuing to undertake a range of
work with partners to target anti-social
behaviour in our communities and it is
positive news that a CBO has been secured
against this particular individual which
means he is now banned from entering
parts of the city centre.
"Anti-social behaviour is a real blight on
our communities and we will not hesitate to
use all of the powers at our disposal to put a
stop to it immediately."
South Leeds
Neighbourhood
Policing areas:
City: Leeds City Centre
Inner South: Middleton Park, Beeston,
Holbeck, outer City and Hunslet.
Outer South: Rothwell, Ardsley, Robin
Hood, Morley South and Morley North.
Outer East: Crossgates, Whinmoor,
Temple Newsam, Garforth, Swillington,
Kippax and Methley.
Find out more about us at
www.westyorkshire.police.uk/leeds
• West Yorkshire Police - Leeds City
• West Yorkshire Police - Leeds Inner South
• West Yorkshire Police - Leeds Outer South
• West Yorkshire Police - Leeds Outer East
• Leeds City - @WYP_LeedsCity
• Leeds Inner South - @WYP_LeedsInSth
• Leeds Outer South - @WYP_LeedsOutSth
• Leeds Outer East -@WYP_LeedsOuterE
Newsletter designed by: