Viper unleashed in West Yorkshire

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Viper unleashed in West Yorkshire"

Beryl Edwards
5 years ago
Views:

22nd November 2013 Issue 004 Reducing crime and re-offending Viper unleashed in West Yorkshire Operation Viper has stepped up its action to cut crime by sinking its teeth

Operation Viper, which is officially launched in the county this week, saw local and other specialist police officers working together with local councils and housing

A range of activities were undertaken by detectives who specialise in targeting drug dealers and organised crime, alongside officers, who are highly trained in gaining

1 22nd November 2013 Issue 004 Reducing crime and re-offending Viper unleashed in West Yorkshire Operation Viper has stepped up its action to cut crime by sinking its teeth into Bradford's drug dealers. Operation Viper, which is officially launched in the county this week, saw local and other specialist police officers working together with local councils and housing associations, to target and arrest the county's most prolific criminals. A range of activities were undertaken by detectives who specialise in targeting drug dealers and organised crime, alongside officers, who are highly trained in gaining rapid entry into buildings and specialist search techniques. Focusing on those profiting from drug dealing and burglary, Viper struck with a series of raids on addresses in the Bradford District this week, making 41 arrests, seizing 5,000 worth of Class A drugs and 7,500 in cash. Four air weapons were also recovered along with 80,000 of high value goods How West Yorkshire Police is delivering the Police and Crime Plan

Reducing crime and re-offending Special Constables and Volunteers help Viper seize a 4,000 Booty of stolen property Anyone with information about

westyorkshire.police.uk/recruitment or call 01924 292269.

local officers visited car boot sales across the Dewsbury area on Sunday 17th November.

2 Reducing crime and re-offending Special Constables and Volunteers help Viper seize a 4,000 Booty of stolen property Anyone with information about crime can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on To find out more about becoming a Special Constable or police volunteer, visit or call With the aim of reducing opportunities for criminals to sell on stolen goods, an Operation Viper team of Special Constables, Police volunteers and local officers visited car boot sales across the Dewsbury area on Sunday 17th November. A total of 4,000 worth of goods were seized during 70 stop checks that were carried out on the day. As Operation Viper gathers pace, information will become more accessible to the public, as it has now been included on the front page of the West Yorkshire Police website 1

Reducing anti-social behaviour School children become mini officers for the day to crackdown on offending motorists number of complaints about drivers in the area.

The pupils took to the streets dressed in mini uniforms, carrying a speed detector, and wielding their tickets.

$Police in Pontefract have been working closely with schoolchildren to help them teach a lesson to drivers who speed and park badly near their school.$

3 Reducing anti-social behaviour School children become mini officers for the day to crackdown on offending motorists number of complaints about drivers in the area. They also gave the children a project to design their own parking tickets which would be given out to motorists. The pupils took to the streets dressed in mini uniforms, carrying a speed detector, and wielding their tickets. In just one afternoon 11 drivers were caught driving at more than 30 miles per hour, and were warned about their speed. The children also issued a number of their handmade tickets to cars nearby which were parked inconsiderately. Police in Pontefract have been working closely with schoolchildren to help them teach a lesson to drivers who speed and park badly near their school. Officers from Pontefract Neighbourhood Policing Team paid a visit to Willow Green Academy to talk to pupils about the importance of road safety. This followed a Whilst the children enjoyed their day policing the streets near their school, they hoped that the drivers nearby learnt their lesson - Inconsiderate parking and speeding near schools puts children s lives at risk. The eyes have it to try and tackle ASB Parts of North West Leeds have come under the spotlight after local police walked the streets in Yeadon to try and spot problems which have resulted from antisocial behaviour. Broken streetlights, smashed windows, graffiti, and piles of rubbish were just some of the problems seen during the Environmental Audit earlier this month. People living there were also asked about what they were worried about and what they thought needed to be done to improve the area. council, fire and rescue and police. Here the public will be able to voice their opinions and put forward ideas on how the area can be improved. It is expected that the Environmental Audit process will lead to a reduction in crime and disorder, and an increase in Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and in the Police Volunteer Network. To find out more about local Neighbourhood Policing Teams visit Once all the information is collated, local residents and community groups will be invited to a community forum, hosted by all the partner agencies, such as 2

Reducing anti-social behaviour Crime prevention advice given to hundreds of households During an afternoon of action on Wednesday 6th November, Lower Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team worked

4 Reducing anti-social behaviour Crime prevention advice given to hundreds of households During an afternoon of action on Wednesday 6th November, Lower Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team worked alongside Calderdale Council, Pennine Housing, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Community Volunteers to visit 200 houses to give out advice. It was all part of Calderdale Dark Nights initiative to prevent burglaries and vehicle crime from occurring in the area. Calderdale Council and community volunteers also took the opportunity carried out surveys asking residents what they had to say about the area and what really matters to them. As the winter nights draw in, hundreds of residents in the Hipperholme and Lightcliffe area of Halifax have been given crime prevention advice, in a joint effort between local partner agencies. Police show Castleford how much fun Mischief Night can be Over 120 young people were treated to a special night held on Mischief Night (Monday, 4th November) at The Hut in Castleford, to try and steer them away from taking part in anti social behaviour. The event, organised by Castleford Neighbourhood Policing Team and Wakefield Council, was funded through The Positive Changes Program, sponsored by the Home Office. Officers handed out tickets on the streets and provided transport to the venue, so that children aged between 10 and 17 years old could take part in the event. Other officers joined up with youth workers on the streets to encourage children to go along and enjoy the free pool, ten-pin bowling and the chance to appear on Five Towns F.M. radio. Similar activities are now offered every Friday and Saturday evening at the Hut. This purpose built facility also offers a sports hall, community café, games room and outdoor gym facilities. If you are interested in going along to the Hut check details online 3

Supporting victims and witnesses International Restorative Justice Week Police and other agencies such as the Probation Trust, Youth Offending Service and Local Councils have been highlighting the

Restorative justice involves officers and staff listening to the wishes of the victim, allowing the most appropriate and effective outcome to be reached.

5 Supporting victims and witnesses International Restorative Justice Week Police and other agencies such as the Probation Trust, Youth Offending Service and Local Councils have been highlighting the options available to victims of crime as part of International Restorative Justice Week, which ran from 17th to 24th November. Restorative justice involves officers and staff listening to the wishes of the victim, allowing the most appropriate and effective outcome to be reached. This can range from a simple letter of apology, to a meeting between an offender and victim or an offender visibly demonstrating reparation in the community. As part of the awareness week, West Yorkshire Police and other organisations took part in a live webchat on Thursday, 21st November which allowed members of the public to ask questions about restorative approaches and practice in place across the county. To have a look back at the webchat visit ticewebchat Stolen medals replaced for war hero A Second World War hero who had his medals stolen during a burglary at his home has had them replaced, thanks to a West Yorkshire Police Constable. Royal Navy veteran Colin Smith was asleep at his house in Ferrybridge when the break-in occurred in August. Six of his medals along with other possessions were stolen. The investigating officer was a former member of the armed forces and understood the importance of these medals to Mr Smith and the sacrifice that he must have made in order to be awarded them. As a result PC Michael Deakin took it upon himself to help Mr Smith by getting replica medals made up by a firm in Bournemouth. The replicas were ready in time for Remembrance Day and presented to Mr Smith by Lieutenant Bryden, RN from the Yorkshire Universities Royal Naval Unit and Insp Richard Sullivan from Pontefract and Knottingley Neighbourhood Police Team. During his service Mr Smith had served on numerous ships in the Royal Navy, and had been torpedoed by a German U boat. The medals, which are of little financial value, were of great sentimental value to Mr Smith, a true local hero. 4

6 Supporting victims and witnesses Nominate a neighbour to fight doorstep crime Hundreds of Leeds residents have now signed up to West Yorkshire Police s Nominated Neighbour Scheme which aims to protect homeowners from unwanted callers at their door. People taking part are given cards to hold up at their windows or doors to tell a caller they don t know them, and to knock on the door of a Nominated Neighbour living nearby. The Nominated Neighbour verifies if the person is genuine, then accompanies them during the duration of the call. Since the scheme started just under a year ago, more then 300 residents have joined. Members have said that they now feel safer in their homes, and no longer fear unwelcome callers. To join the scheme contact NTP & Volunteer Hub on

Tackling local, regional and national threats, risk and harm Online guide to online safety As part of West Yorkshire

parental controls and settings which can be used to monitor internet use.

discuss with experts how Child Sexual Exploitation can be spotted on the web, through social media, and on the streets.

7 Tackling local, regional and national threats, risk and harm Online guide to online safety As part of West Yorkshire Police s ongoing Know the Signs campaign, a new guide has been launched to help parents keep their children safe online. An online Snapguide has been made available to raise awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation, offering advice about parental controls and settings which can be used to monitor internet use. The guide was launched following a recent event at Castleford Academy at which over 60 parents and carers attended to discuss with experts how Child Sexual Exploitation can be spotted on the web, through social media, and on the streets. Because of the success of the Castleford event, the Force is now looking at holding further similar events with schools and colleges across West Yorkshire. Click here to view the Snapguide. For more information about child sexual exploitation visitwww.westyorkshire.police.uk/cse 6

Tackling local, regional and national threats, risk and harm Sergeant s post at top US University will help forge across-the-pond relationships A West Yorkshire Police Sergeant is to travel to the

Sergeant Richard Heslop has been selected to serve as a Visiting Professor at the prestigious John Jay College of Criminal Justice which is part of the City University of New York.

8 Tackling local, regional and national threats, risk and harm Sergeant s post at top US University will help forge across-the-pond relationships A West Yorkshire Police Sergeant is to travel to the USA next year to work with some of the country s leading academics to share policing methods from both sides of the Atlantic. Sergeant Richard Heslop has been selected to serve as a Visiting Professor at the prestigious John Jay College of Criminal Justice which is part of the City University of New York. This is one of the top criminal justice institutions in America. Part of his role will be to conduct research into how policing methods used in America can help West Yorkshire Police, and vice-versa. He will also teach courses on international comparative policing to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Richard, who is a police trainer, was chosen following a nationwide selection process by the College of Policing. He will take up the position from August to December

Delivering an efficient criminal justice system Gang sentenced in connection with

years after pleading guilty to conspiring to handle 5m worth of stolen antiques

Carl Rutter, 47, of Silcoates Street, Wakefield was sentenced to 6 years; Darren

69, of Chapel Road, Barnsley was sentenced to 4 years for the crimes.

Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), with help from West Yorkshire Police

table worth 500,000, and a Meissen group of Harlequins worth 180,000.

9 Delivering an efficient criminal justice system Gang sentenced in connection with multi-million pound antiques thefts Three men have been jailed for a total of 14 years after pleading guilty to conspiring to handle 5m worth of stolen antiques and valuables. Carl Rutter, 47, of Silcoates Street, Wakefield was sentenced to 6 years; Darren Webster, 44, of Burnshaw Mews, Leeds was sentenced to 4 years; and Brian Eaton, 69, of Chapel Road, Barnsley was sentenced to 4 years for the crimes. The gang were arrested following a year-long investigation by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), with help from West Yorkshire Police and the Regional Roads Crime Team, North Yorkshire Police, and South Yorkshire Police. Fourteen items in total were recovered by officers from Eaton s and Webster s home addresses. They included a pair of Louis XVI vases worth 950,000, a George III Chippendale table worth 500,000, and a Meissen group of Harlequins worth 180,000. The valuables were stolen from three locations - Newby Hall and Sion House in North Yorkshire, and Firle Place in East Sussex. They have been described as national treasures, and are known to be of significant historical and cultural value. All the items have now been returned. Brian EATON Carl RUTTER Darren WEBSTER 8

Former bank manager jailed for stealing millions from HBOS A former senior bank official has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for

5m to fund a high-rolling lifestyle which included luxury holidays, the hire of a private jet, a corporate box at Leeds United Football Club, properties in

Following his long career with HBOS, Goldthorpe had worked his way up to Group Technology Service Manager on a salary of 45k a year.

Four other men also received prison sentences for their part in the fraud.

10 Former bank manager jailed for stealing millions from HBOS A former senior bank official has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for defrauding HBOS after his colleagues became suspicious of his extravagant lifestyle. Barrie Goldthorpe, 56, from Huddersfield swindled the bank out of 1.5m to fund a high-rolling lifestyle which included luxury holidays, the hire of a private jet, a corporate box at Leeds United Football Club, properties in England and Scotland, and a pension valued at 400,000. Following his long career with HBOS, Goldthorpe had worked his way up to Group Technology Service Manager on a salary of 45k a year. He gradually siphoned off the money over a period of five years after overcharging for computer services and equipment. Four other men also received prison sentences for their part in the fraud. Michael Sharkey, 58, from Scotland was jailed for 2 years and Steven Shaw, 60, from Sowerby Bridge was jailed for 15 months. Peter Sharkey, 52, from Scotland was jailed for 19 months and Paul Ashton, 49, from Leeds was jailed for a year, both for money laundering For more details on the POCA "Why Should They" campaign, visit the West Yorkshire Police Website: 9

Partnerships and People

Partnerships and People Diane Groom, Assistant Director of Customer Services at Metro and Sergeant Rachel Claughton, Safer Travel West Yorkshire Wednesday 13 March 2013 Background 1. West Yorkshire Bradford,