York ahead of the game on Neighbourhood Policing (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

York ahead of the game on Neighbourhood Policing

February 14, 2006 11:41 AM

Council Leader Steve Galloway will hear how the City of York Council is working effectively with North Yorkshire Police to establish Neighbourhood Policing teams. A report detailing the progress of Neighbourhood Policing will be discussed at a meeting of the Leaders Advisory Panel on Monday 20th February.

Currently pilot teams have been set up in five areas: Clifton, Dringhouses & Woodthorpe, Westfield, Micklegate and Heworth.

The pilot areas have established Joint Action Groups. Ward Councillors chair meetings which feature a core membership from the Street Environment department, Neighbourhood Pride Unit, Police Ward Managers, Sergeants and PCSOs, Estate Managers and detached youth workers.

2,000 questionnaires were sent to residents, using questions from the British Crime Survey. This produced local information about what residents felt were the crime problems in their local area, and what priorities they would like to see addressed. The Joint Action Groups are now working to tackle these priorities.

Cllr Steve Galloway said "Tackling crime is a very important issue for the residents of this city. As a Liberal Democrat I support any measures which allow local people to become more involved in the policing of their area. The Council is working well with North Yorkshire Police to establish an effective model for Neighbourhood Policing teams, which will be expanded across the city. The next Neighbourhood Policing teams will be set up in April 2006, and I expect the whole of York to have teams in place well before the national deadline of April 2008.

"This administration already has an excellent record of working with the Police to deliver increased crime fighting resources for the people of York. For example, last year the Council contributed half of the funding for an additional five PCSOs, giving a 25% increase in the number of Community Support Officers patrolling the City.

Whilst I am disappointed that the government is being so prescriptive about the way in which Neighbourhood Policing is implemented, I do believe that local teams will provide greater opportunities for residents to get involved in crime prevention, and to assist the Police in their work, making York a safer place to live. "