Making a difference locally

East Leeds

January 2015 September 2015

West Leeds

District Open Day Dazzles

Hundreds flocked to an open day event at

Leeds’ Police headquarters on Sunday the

13th September for some family fun and

insight into the work that officers do in local

communities.

Leeds Rhino’s player Liam Sutcliffe officially

opened the day and there was an

opportunity to have photos taken with the

Rugby League Challenge Cup too.

Stalls and displays showcased the work of a

range of departments, providing crime

prevention advice and information for

people potentially interested in becoming

Special Constables, Police Volunteers or

starting a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

There was plenty of entertainment on hand

with face painting, Percy the police car,

finger-printing , wanted posters, slides and

swings and mock crime scenes amongst

others.

Chief Superintendent Paul Money, Leeds

District Commander, was on hand to meet

the public and talk about the policing

challenges in Leeds.

The building’s community café also hosted a

coffee morning in aid of Alzeimer’s Society.

With the Tea Cosy Memory Café from

Rothwell donating a huge teddy bear. All of

this combined helped us raise in excess of

£1000 for Alzeimer’s Society.

We would like to thank all those involved

who worked hard to help make the day a

great success as well as the community for

coming along.

Officers and staff from Leeds District taken a starring role in BBC One’s burglary series Break-in Britain, which went on air for three weeks from Monday September 7th.

The series, which was filmed over two months earlier this year from Elland Road, features the work of a range of different teams tackling burglary across the district.

A key focus of the programmes is on the human impact of burglary on victims and the episodes see crime reduction officers visiting burgled homes to make recommendations for security improvements which are then put in place by a private provider funded by the BBC.

The film crews also followed officers as they tracked down the offenders and recovered victims’ stolen property.

The BBC filmed a previous series at Weetwood in 2013/14 which attracted around 1.4 million viewers per episode – 26

per cent of the daytime audience.

Similar viewing figures are expected for this series making it a really valuable opportunity to showcase the work that is being done across the Leeds District to tackle burglary, while also providing a platform to promote crime prevention messages to a significantly large audience.

Series Producer, Julia Foot, said: “We are really pleased with how this series has gone. The co-operation from West Yorkshire Police was a major part of that success.

“The crime reduction officers were brilliant at giving security tips and advice in a way which didn’t seem like preaching.

“We know from the previous series that viewers really value this sensible, crime prevention advice so they can take steps to lower the risk of their own home being targeted.

“All the officers and staff we filmed with came over as really compassionate, caring committed and efficient.

“I don’t think the public always realises how seriously every burglary is treated but in this series of fifteen programmes, nine have cases which were solved – all in Leeds - which is phenomenal really.”

Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Money said: “This series showcases a lot of the good work that our officers and staff do every day to tackle burglary across Leeds District. It also gives us an excellent opportunity to reach a large audience with practical crime prevention advice that should help to reduce the number of victims.

“I’m grateful to everyone who supported the programme and showed how professional and committed we are to keeping our communities safe.”

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 up at www.owl.co.uk.

The Zero Tolerance - Say 'No' to Violence campaign was re-launched with the NHS on the 25th August 2015.

We reinforced our commitment to working in partnership with NHS colleagues to ensure that hospitals are safe places for staff, patients and families to come to work or receive vital hospital treatment without fear of violence or being a victim of crime.

Chief Inspector Nik Adams attended to co-launch the event with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Nik has worked very

closely with the Trust over many years and our relationship with West Yorkshire Police has gone from strength to strength during this period.

This builds on much wider partnership work with the NHS and Leeds City Council to tackle criminals who prey on hospital sites and who act in an anti-social or aggressive manner. Through joint initiatives, we are using anti-social behaviour laws and taking action through the courts to bring criminals to justice and prevent behaviour that brings misery to others.

Zero Tolerance to Violence

Police in West Yorkshire are supporting a national campaign to warn people of the ‘‘absolute danger’’ of using a mobile phone while driving. Officers from Yorkshire's largest force are using the week-long campaign, which is being led by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), to raise awareness over mobile phone use while driving being one of the 'fatal four' - the name given to the four most common circumstances leading to death on the roads and also including speeding, not wearing a seat belt and drink/drug driving. Inspector Joanne Field, who leads West Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Unit, said: ‘‘The law banning the use of mobile phones while driving has been in place for over a decade now but we are still seeing thousands of people each year flouting the law and endangering not only themselves but other road users as well. ‘‘The risks associated with using a phone while behind the wheel are very clear. “Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or text message, It affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk”

Research has shown that driving while using a phone makes you four times more

likely to be involved in a collision and studies by the Transport Research Laboratory suggest that using a hand-held mobile while driving can be more dangerous than drink-driving. Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Units will be mounting additional proactive patrols to target those who persist with using a mobile phone while driving. If you are caught using a hand-held phone while driving, you will get three penalty points on your licence and a fine of £100. The points on your licence will result in higher insurance costs. If you are convicted of driving carelessly or dangerously while using a hand-held phone you can be disqualified from driving, receive a large fine and up to two years imprisonment. Drivers are also been warned that they are still at risk of prosecution for failing to have proper control of their vehicle or for careless or reckless driving whilst using a hands-free phone whilst driving . Inspector Field added: ‘‘With so many people now using mobile devices such as sat-nav systems it's important to remember that if your car is not safely parked and you are using a hand-held mobile you are breaking the law and your actions have the clear potential to endanger your life and those of other road users. The same rules

apply if you're waiting at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. ‘‘Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the sight of people driving along while holding and talking on their mobile phones. This is not about penalising motorists it's about keeping the roads safer for all of us, Missing a call won't kill you - a collision quite possibly could." “Figures both locally and nationally show the number of people prosecuted for using a mobile while driving has fallen over recent years so the message is getting through, but we must not rest on our laurels, as this simple act leads to death on the roads’’, added Inspector Field. A film funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire and created by local police and pupils from Minsthorpe Community College and Hemsworth Arts and Community Academy, highlights the dangers associated with using mobile phones while driving and not wearing a seat belt. The film can be viewed online at: www.westyorkshire.police.uk/allendintears

Police warn of ‘absolute danger’ of using a mobile phone while driving

This August, an initiative, led by Leeds City

Council, was introduced where skips were

provided for the local community to clear

out their rubbish in the Farsley area. The

skips were placed at various points around

the village. PCSO Muftee and PCSO Myers

supported this event and did a walk about

with Housing Officer Christopher Tollick

and other members of the team. Local

environmental issues were also

highlighted. During the walk about the

officers met local residents of Farsley to ask

their thoughts on the initiative and seek

some feedback for future events.

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP OPERATION

On Thursday the 24th September, officers

were out giving away personal safety

equipment such as attack alarms, handbag,

mobile phone and bike theft defenders and

also anti-drink spiking devices to students at

the freshers event recently. The above

picture was taken at Becketts Park Campus

as we set up shop. Our team later headed

down to the Rose Bowl at Portland Crescent

for a crime awareness advice & personal

safety event. The Hate Crime Co-ordinator

was also on hand to give advice to students.

Overall staff spoke to around 2,000

students in relation to keeping safe while

they were at Uni, making the event a

resounding success.

Making Personal Safety a Priority

Leeds Prevent Engagement Officers PCs

Sara Barrie, Gary Blezard, Geeta Lota, David

Perry, Ash Razzaq and DC Darragh O’Shea

have been busy in locations across the City

promoting the second annual Prevent

Awareness week.

Two large Prevent focussed Community

Consultations were held at the Shine on

Harehills Road and Elland Road Police Head-

quarters. These events were very well

attended, with community members dis-

cussing issues such as how the Prevent

agenda is working at a local community

level, and how this can be improved going

forward, with help from local people from

different backgrounds and roles.

Officers also handed out Prevent infor-

mation leaflets at faith institutions, includ-

ing local Mosques. Covering topics such as

what you should do if you have concerns

over friends or family members who may be

showing signs of being radicalised, or are

travelling out to conflict zones like Syria,

and how to support charities safely and

make sure your money reaches those who

need it.

Police exhibition vans and horses patrolled

various busy locations around the City to

help officers speak with local people and

discuss the controversial subject of Terror-

ism and the different forms extremism. The

event was aimed at raising awareness of

how Prevent Officers are working to help

stop people from becoming radicalised, by

initiating early intervention with support,

and to promote safe use of the internet.

PC Gary Blezard said “It was great to see

how everyday regular people within the

communities are passionate about Prevent

and how they are willing to help to drive the

agenda forward to help safeguard their

communities

Raising Awareness of Radicalisation

Potential young crime fighters of the future are invited to experience the inner workings of West Yorkshire Police.

Applications are now invited for the popular Explorer Programme, which offers 16-18 year olds an exciting insight into many different aspects of policing across the county.

The 25 week programme, which starts in January 2016, will enable successful candidates to explore the day to day work of police officers on the streets of West Yorkshire, as well as the work of specialist departments including Crime Scene Investigation, Safeguarding Units, Roads Policing and Crime Prevention to name but a few. They will also be given the opportunity to learn about the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, as well partner organisations such as West Yorkshire Trading Standards and West Yorkshire Fire Service.

Explorers will be required to attend their local police station for two hours on Wednesday evening each week where they will take part in the interactive programme. There will also be the opportunity to get involved in neighbourhood policing activities, police training and to meet the many diverse communities of West Yorkshire.

In addition to all of the Explorers receiving individual Certificates of Achievements, seven candidates will be awarded a trophy for District Explorer of the Year and one

lucky Explorer will be crowned West Yorkshire Police Explorer of the Year!

Community Engagement Officer, Simon Phillips, who coordinates the programme said: “We are proud to be able to offer this exciting programme again and it gets better and better each year. Many young people at this stage in their life are unsure about what career path they would like to take and the Explorer Programme offers a unique behind the scenes look into policing which is ideal for anyone considering a role within the service. It also offers opportunities to get involved with their communities, and at the same time helps them develop skills they can use in later life. We’re looking for a diverse group of Explorers, who represent West Yorkshire’s diverse communities. We hope that many will continue to work with us as Volunteers, Special Constable's, PCSOs and Police Officers”.

Application details are available from www.westyorkshire.police.uk/explorers. Please email any queries to: lc.hqexplorer@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk call 01924 292334 or call/text 07841 899917. Information on Explorers can also be found on Twitter via @wypexplorers or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/wypexplorers

The deadline for applications is Saturday 31st October 2015

Join the Explorer Programme

Three Special Constables in Leeds have won first prize at a National Award Ceremony, that was held in London on Wednesday 9th September. Senior Section Officer Stephen Richardson, Senior Section Officer Thomas Mortimer and Special Constable Thomas Haworth attended the Lord Ferrers' awards after being nominated by the Force for their work in instigating a partnership scheme with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, creating a new police and ambulance co-responder scheme.

The Police Paramedic Car, POLMED was set up in the Leeds District in early 2013, by the team who identified the issue that police officers are often deployed to support ambulance colleagues in situations where patients are behaving in a violent manor, presenting a significant risk to the health and safety of the ambulance crew, the general public and the patient themselves. This can sometimes cause delay in an emergency response. Each week, the Special Constabulary at Leeds deploy a unique and bespoke POLMED unit, staffed by two special constables and a fully trained paramedic, who work together in order to save lives, increase public safety and to enable the effective treatment of persons in need of urgent medical assistance. The POLMED scheme has attended 1136 calls since its formation, with 765 of those initiated by police and 435 initiated by the ambulance service.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom said: "I am delighted with the achievements of the team in coming first in these prestigious awards. The scheme demonstrates our highly effective partnership working with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and is organised, managed and staffed exclusively by the Special Constabulary. It has all been made possible by three key members of our team, Steve, Tom and Tom. "This project also demonstrates the unique and valuable contribution that Special Constable's make to policing the county and how volunteering can make a real difference to our communities. "The POLMED scheme has inevitably saved lives across Leeds and has been so successful that we are in the early stages of rolling out similar schemes across all of our policing districts." Leeds District Specials Co-ordinator, PC Fraser Corry said: “Many people are looking to make the most of their time while putting something back into the community. People are also looking for self-development opportunities for their CV, learning new skills, getting out and about, and meeting new people.” “Joining the Special Constabulary as a volunteer not only ticks all these boxes but opens up a world of opportunity for personal and professional development. Undergoing the training and then taking to the streets as a police officer is challenging, but can make a welcome break from day-to- day life, bringing excitement and new

insight with each shift you volunteer. “Special constables are an extremely valuable asset to the organisation and form a further link between ourselves and the diverse communities we serve.” The Force has set a target of recruiting 1,500 special constable's by May 2016. The Force currently has 958 specials. Full details can be found on a special section of the Force’s website www.westyorkshire.police.uk/bespecial which includes a series of videos from specials talking about the role, a 'myth-buster' to dispel some of the common misconceptions, as well as an online application form. There is also a dedicated email address that you can use to contact the team directly specials&volunteers@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk The awards, previously known as the Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards, highlight the vital role volunteers play in support of policing, by giving up their free time to make communities safer and enhancing the effectiveness of policing across England and Wales. They were created by a previous Home Office minister, Lord Ferrers, and were first held in 1993. They have been renamed in memory of Lord Ferrers, who died on 13 November 2012.

A very ‘special’ award

Offenders will target sheds which have poor levels of security. Secure your property by following the these tips :

Check the general fabric of your shed and garage - are there any signs of decay, that may provide an opportunity for a thief?

Fit a ‘Shedbar’ meeting Secured by Design standards.

Is it possible to strengthen the door and frame? Outside door hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong padbars and close shackle padlocks.

What condition are the windows in? Are they held in by inefficient fixings? Consider a strong grille or heavy wire mesh to increase window security and the use of net curtains to deter casual viewing.

Post-code items that you store in the shed or garage. Use a visible method of marking where possible such as permanent marker pen.

Use a chain to secure valuable items within the shed or garage, so even if someone does break in they won't be able to walk off with your valuable items.

Don’t take the chance of leaving it unlocked overnight or while you just 'nip to the shops'. It only takes a minute for someone to walk off with your belongings.

Keep it out of public view For extra protection, keep your bike secure wherever you leave it at home.

Don’t leave bike racks on your car in the drive as a thief might then come and see if you have a bike to steal.

Don’t start cycling apps until you are away from your house or alter the privacy settings so no one can see where you’re setting off from.

Secure it to an immovable object, or consider installing a floor or wall mounted anchor lock for extra security. If you need any crime prevention advice you can call 101 and ask for your crime reduction officer or email: leedscpo@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

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.

Outer North West: Guiseley, Rawdon, Horsforth, Adel, Wharfedale, Otley and Yeadon.

Inner North West: Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Headingley and Weetwood.

Outer West: Farnley, Wortley, Pudsey, Calverley and Farsley.

Inner West: Bramley, Stanningley, Armley and Kirkstall.

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© West Yorkshire Police Newsletter Author : Phillip Haigh

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Front cover photo credit - Yorkshire Evening Post