Antisocial behaviour down by 25pc (From Gazette & Herald)

Antisocial behaviour down by 25 per cent in North Yorkshire

9:02am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, Crime reporter

ANTISOCIAL behaviour has been cut by almost a quarter in North Yorkshire.

Figures set to go before a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police Authority next week reveal there were 8,596 antisocial behaviour incidents between April and June this year – which is 22 per cent fewer than in the same period last year, when there were 11,080 recorded incidents.

In the three-month period, every area in North Yorkshire showed a fall in such incidents. The largest reduction was recorded in the Scarborough and Ryedale areas, which had 640 fewer incidents than the year before – more than the entire reduction for 2011/12.

Selby saw a 26.1 per cent drop (192 fewer incidents) and there were 35.1 per cent fewer such crimes in Hambleton and Richmondshire (410 fewer incidents). The total in York fell by 28.2 per cent.

Assistant Chief Constable Iain Spittal, author of the report, said dedicated operations and the use of special constables had helped tackle the problem.

He also praised the work of the Street Angels scheme – which sees volunteers patrol the streets of North Yorkshire to help people who are vulnerable on nights out – and the work of night marshals.

He said: “Improving the quality of life for our communities is one of the key priorities for the force. I am pleased that recorded incidents of antisocial behaviour have shown significant reductions across North Yorkshire and the City of York in the past year.

“It is extremely important to us that our communities can enjoy their lives without being subjected to antisocial behaviour. We are not complacent and will continue the work with our partners to further improve the quality of life for all who live, work and play across North Yorkshire and the City of York.

“The reduction of more than 8,500 incidents in 12 months is a very positive step forward.

“The ongoing improvements across the whole of the force area is, I feel, a reflection of the hard work, commitment and dedication that our officers and staff show on a daily basis.

“I would encourage members of the public to work with us to help improve their quality of life. Reporting incidents of antisocial behaviour is key to us understanding, with partners, where to focus our activity.”