Keeping crime down in your community...

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1 East Leeds January April Making a difference locally Keeping crime down in your community...

Crime in West Yorkshire at a 31-year low. latest figures reveal.

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.

Criminal damage and theft are also down with a 27.4 per cent reduction in thefts from people.

2 Crime in West Yorkshire at a 31-year low. latest figures 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. "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." Scrapping crime in your community West Yorkshire Police have teamed up with Trading Standards and Leeds City Council to crack down on scrap crime in Leeds. The small operation we undertook involved us targeting small goods type vehicles believed to be involved in collecting scrap metal in the Cross Green area of the city. From an area of about a half mile radius at Edmund House Social Club car park, we pulled over several drivers to check vehicle legality and scrap trading credentials. The results were as follows: 10 x vehicles were checked. Of the vehicles checked at a static point, 7 were legal in relation to vehicle condition, driving documents and had waste traders licence. One vehicle was found to be collecting with no scrap licence and had two tyres below legal limit for tread. The driver was issued with a warning for the tyres and they were interviewed and warned in relation to the scrap. Of the two other vehicles, one made off from Police and was abandoned. This vehicle came back on our systems as having been stolen so we made an arrest. The final vehicle was found to have no insurance so it was seized and a ticket was issued.

Drugs Offender Remanded to Prison On the morning of Monday 16th March officers from Killingbeck Police Station supported by a police search dog executed a search warrant at a residential address on

During the search of the premises a quantity of cannabis, amphetamine and a Taser device were seized, all of which are illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act and Firearms Act.

3 Drugs Offender Remanded to Prison On the morning of Monday 16th March officers from Killingbeck Police Station supported by a police search dog executed a search warrant at a residential address on Foundry Mill Walk, Seacroft. During the search of the premises a quantity of cannabis, amphetamine and a Taser device were seized, all of which are illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act and Firearms Act. The male occupant of the house was arrested and he has now been charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of amphetamine and the Taser. The man appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on the morning of March 17th and the Magistrates supported our request for a remand in to prison custody. This is the latest of many successful search warrants and we will continue to act upon information passed to us, whether in person or anonymously. Two Men Charged Over Boston Spa Armed Robbery. Two men were arrested and charged after a West Yorkshire village post office was robbed by two people in wigs, with one pushing the other in a wheelchair. Martin James Pick, of Willow Avenue, Clifford, and Mark Pick, of Lea Farm Road, Leeds were charged with robbing the post office in High Street, Boston Spa during which a shot gun was also fired and a staff member hit with a crowbar. Eagled eyed officer spots repeat offender Eagle eyed PC Carl Wilson from Inner East Neighbourhood Policing Team was on patrol and on the ball this week on Harehills Lane when he sighted a known offender who was wanted for four offences of theft. PC Wilson instantly gave chase and saw the wanted man enter a house on Trafford Avenue. PCs Wilson, Preston, Wray and Hislop contained the premises ensuring there was no escape and when officers entered he was subsequently arrested. This man had been wanted by the Police for a number of months and has now been charged with four offences of theft from shop.

Drug dealers caught after police car chase TWO men involved in heroin and crack cocaine dealing have been jailed for a total of six years and five months.

2014. Wisdom failed to give way at a junction and crashed into a Citroen Picasso, abandoned the car and was spotted running away from the scene.

He also had more than 2,000 in cash in his possession.

Wisdom and Smyth admitted two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Boxer s career dealt knock out blow A local professional boxer s career has been left in ruins after he was caught with almost half a kilo of cocaine at his

Newell was seen by officers briefly leave his home and hiding something behind a conifer in the garden.

4 Drug dealers caught after police car chase TWO men involved in heroin and crack cocaine dealing have been jailed for a total of six years and five months. Ian Wisdom, 22, was arrested after a police pursuit when a Peugeot car spotted driving on a pavement failed to stop on Ashton Road at around 1am on March Wisdom failed to give way at a junction and crashed into a Citroen Picasso, abandoned the car and was spotted running away from the scene. When arrested, Wisdom was caught in possession of 39 wraps of crack cocaine and 31 wraps of heroin, with a total street value of more than 2,000. He also had more than 2,000 in cash in his possession. Brett Smyth, 25, of Scott Hall Place, Potternewton, was also arrested after his fingerprints were found on the Peugeot and on drugs packaging. Wisdom and Smyth admitted two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. Wisdom also admitted dangerous driving and was jailed for 32 months and banned from driving for two years. Boxer s career dealt knock out blow A local professional boxer s career has been left in ruins after he was caught with almost half a kilo of cocaine at his home in Leeds. Leeds Crown Court heard Justin Newell had agreed to store the drug in order to pay off mounting gambling debts. Newell was seen by officers briefly leave his home and hiding something behind a conifer in the garden. Officers recovered a bag containing 486 grammes of the class A drug with a purity of 88 per cent. The drug are believed to have a street value of up to 43,000. Inside the property officers also found amphetamines worth 2,000 and a quantity of benzocaine, a cutting agent for the drugs. Newell pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of a class B drug with intent to supply and possession of criminal property and was jailed for three years and eight months after he stashed the drug at a home in Seacroft.

A man has been arrested after attempting to steal coffee amongst other goods from local shops.

He then went in the Co-op and tried stealing deodorant before staff challenged him and he ran off again. After this, he then went in to the Morrisons Local and stole some meat.

PCs Rothery and Oldroyd attended and cuffed the man who then assaulted PC Oldroyd so he was taken into custody.

5 A man has been arrested after attempting to steal coffee amongst other goods from local shops. On Sunday 22nd March, the man went into the BP Garage in Roundhay Road and attempted to steal some coffee. He was challenged by staff and ran off. He then went in the Co-op and tried stealing deodorant before staff challenged him and he ran off again. After this, he then went in to the Morrisons Local and stole some meat...and then went to the TESCO and attempted to steal a mobile phone and you guessed it, he failed miserably as the security staff detained him. PCs Rothery and Oldroyd attended and cuffed the man who then assaulted PC Oldroyd so he was taken into custody. PCSO Tunnard and PC Douglas took statements and collected CCTV from all the shops to gather together the evidence. We are pleased to say that the shoplifter has now been charged and remanded with 5 x shoplifting offences and 1 x offence of assaulting a Police Officer. PCSO Sian Riley organised a weekend of Crime Prevention events in the Moortown area. Along with colleagues PCSO Josh Lowcock & Phil McHale they took the Police exhibition van to Waitrose and the David Lloyd Sports centre. Members of the public were encouraged to come along and learn about crime prevention, including tamper proof screws for vehicle number plates, timer switches, chimes for doors, bells to prevent purse dipping and personal attack. alarms. They also brought along some finger printing kits for the young ones to have some fun with!

WEEDING OUT CRIME HELPS COMMUNITIES TO GROW Local Officers have gone from being boys in blue to helping those with green fingers recently.

Rather than dispose of them, PCSOs Andrew Moffatt and Phil Cannon decided to donate them to Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods.

achieve objectives. The plantpots have been used to pot up some cuttings.

6 WEEDING OUT CRIME HELPS COMMUNITIES TO GROW Local Officers have gone from being boys in blue to helping those with green fingers recently. Following the uncovering of a cannabis farm locally, a number of unused plant pots were located. Rather than dispose of them, PCSOs Andrew Moffatt and Phil Cannon decided to donate them to Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods. The group was set up in March 1996 to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the woods, increase public awareness, support other local groups, and liaise with all appropriate organisations to achieve objectives. The plantpots have been used to pot up some cuttings. To name a few there are hardy geranium cuttings, mint, rosemary, thyme, spider plants, clematis, winter jasmine, philadelphus and more to come. The idea is that they will be sold at the Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods Fun Day Saturday 13th June, with proceeds paying for the event and going to charity. As there were so many pots, the group has also been donated some to Chapel Allerton Allotments and plans to donate some to Lidgett Lane Allotments and St Gemma s Hospice. On the afternoon of the 17th March PCSO Reedman and PCSO Metcalf were on patrol on Harehills Lane near The Compton Centre when they had cause to approach and deal with a 47 year old male who was openly drinking alcohol in contravention of the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO.) This order is in place to prevent and tackle antisocial behaviour linked to alcohol and it remains a priority for local officers as agreed at public meetings and from other feedback by residents and local businesses. The man in this case refused to comply with the order and he was therefore detained by the PCSOs and quickly arrested by ward manager PC Bateman. After 10 and a half hours in police custody and once sober, the man was charged with being drunk and disorderly and possession of cannabis. PCSOs and the local ward manager will continue to pro-actively patrol Harehills Lane and the surrounding streets as much as is possible and those causing a nuisance linked to alcohol will face positive intervention. With PCSOs now based at The Compton Centre this has increased the amount of time we are spending on patrol in your community.

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.

Police 15,000 a month on tapes alone. "We have rigorously tested the machines and used it over the busy Christmas period.

"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.

7 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. The return of Horsewatch? Your local team are thinking about reintroducing 'Horse Watch' for Wetherby area, all the way to Aberford, Barwick In Elmet, Scholes, Harewood, Shadwell and Alwoodley. If you would be interested in joining and would like more information please contact PCSO Jackson via rebecca.jackson@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or alternatively please contact 101 and ask to speak with PCSO 470 Jackson. "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."

Cannabis farms located and shut down After suspicions lead to PCSO Andrew Ross taking out the thermal imaging camera to check on properties in the Chapel Allerton area.

Their teams are out every Friday and the occasional Saturday and work from their base at Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane.

Enquiries are still ongoing but we would encourage anyone with information about such crime in your area to phone us on 101 or report online www.westyorkshire.police.uk/reportcrime.

8 Cannabis farms located and shut down After suspicions lead to PCSO Andrew Ross taking out the thermal imaging camera to check on properties in the Chapel Allerton area. PCSO Ross located a cannabis farm. Street Angels Leeds was set up to help make Leeds City Centre a safer place to be on a night out. They help people stay safe and reduce crime. Their teams are out every Friday and the occasional Saturday and work from their base at Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane. Over 300 plants were found at the property and the farm was dismantled and cannabis the cannabis was seized and destroyed. Enquiries are still ongoing but we would encourage anyone with information about such crime in your area to phone us on 101 or report online You can't miss their teams, who are out and about from 10pm - 3am, as they wear bright yellow jackets labelled Street Angel! They work alongside other agencies and their aim is to provide practical care, listening ears and look out for people as they work and play in all the city has to offer. You can find them on Facebook and Twitter (as well as the streets) - so do like and follow them and if you see them go and say hello! For more information: Website: Got a question about policing and the Law? 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 :

It's a shared, secure platform for the public and local authorities to maximise the potential of Neighbourhood Watch, Rural Watch,

9 Online Watch Link (OWL) sends you the latest local crime alerts to keep you informed of what s going on, as well as helping to keep communities safe and reducing crime. It's a shared, secure platform for the public and local authorities to maximise the potential of Neighbourhood Watch, Rural Watch, Business Watch and dozens of other schemes. OWL sends you the latest local crime alerts and provides management tools for maintaining and expanding watches. OWL was recently featured on BBC Crimewatch. Sign upto OWL at

Contact us Always call 999 in an emergency where is a

Call 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is

East : Chapel Allerton, Moortown and Roundhay Inner East

Killingbeck & Seacroft Outer North East : Alwoodley,

Police - Leeds Inner East West Yorkshire Police - Leeds

North Designed by: Leeds Inner East - @WYP_LeedsInnerE

10 Contact us Always call 999 in an emergency where is a danger to life, or a crime progress. Call 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is requires, to report a crime or any incident which requires the police. East Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Division: Inner North East : Chapel Allerton, Moortown and Roundhay Inner East : Burmantofts, Richmond Hill, Gipton, Harehills, Killingbeck & Seacroft Outer North East : Alwoodley, Wetherby & Harewood Social Media Sites West Yorkshire Police - Leeds Inner East West Yorkshire Police - Leeds Inner North East West Yorkshire Police - Leeds Outer North Designed by: Leeds Inner East Leeds Inner North East Leeds Outer North East -@WYP_LeedsOutNE West Yorkshire Police Newsletter Author : Phillip Haigh

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