Rogue Traders: Police warning to residents

POLICE IN THE EAST RIDING are reminding residents to take care when purchasing items or agreeing building work from doorstep traders.

Trading standards investigations have found these traders often travel into the area from all over the country, and will give a price for work to be done but rarely give any cancellation paperwork that is required. Halfway through the job they will try and inflate the price, often intimidating the householder into paying the higher price. Rogue traders have also been known to accompany victims to the bank to obtain their money.

Detective Inspector Emma Heatley, Goole CID said: "Residents are still being targeted by traders who knock on the door without warning, trying to sell goods and services. They often offer to carry out free checks hoping to sign you up there and then. At this time of the year, it could be cutting down trees, paving driveways, resurfacing, replacing fascias, repairing roofs, damp proofing, general building work, guttering insulation or even selling motorised scooters! These criminals are ruthless and determined to make money regardless of who they approach and how unsuitable the product or service is." 

 DI Heatley added: "We would like residents to say no to doorstep callers in an attempt to protect them from unscrupulous salesmen and distraction burglars. "If you need work doing to your property you should preferably use someone who has been recommended to you and who you will be able to contact if anything goes wrong."

Rogue traders often skirt very close to breaking the law but sadly sometimes do not cross the line legally, instead choosing to con their victims out of significant quantities of cash by using unethical hard sell tactics. The law says that if anyone enters into a contract away from business premises then the trader must give a notice advising that there is a seven day period in which the other party can change their mind.

To report doorstep crime to trading standards, call Consumer Direct, on 08454 04 05 06 or to report an incident to Humberside Police, call 0845 60 60 222.

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Neighbourhood Watch networking event

THE SAFER COMMUNITIES TEAM at East Riding Council, are joining with Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue to host a Neighbourhood Watch networking event in the East Riding.

The event on Tuesday, 4th October 2011, will take place between 7pm and 8.30pm in rooms 2 and 3, County Hall, Beverley.

Please contact Safe Communities to confirm if you would like to attend by 12th September 2011 on (01482) 396301 or email safe.communities@eastriding.gov.uk and you can find out more about Neighbourhood Watch at the Safe Communities website.

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Humberside Police Authority: Reassurances to local community following national riots

FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL RIOTS Humberside Police Authority have acted swiftly to reassure local communities that rioting has not taken place in the Humberside Police area and that 'contingency plans' are in place to deal with any incidents.

In a letter circulated to community groups (PDF) yesterday, Kevin Sharp the Chief Executive of Humberside Police Authority writes:

"The purpose of this letter is to reassure you that the Police Authority and the Force are working together to ensure local people and communities remain safe." in this area there "...have been no reported incidents of organised disorder and criminality so far. However, it would be unwise to assume that some sort of 'copy cat' events could not occur locally. Humberside Police are therefore making contingency plans to deal with any events that take place locally."

The letter sent to Kath Jones the Chief Officer of the North Bank Forum was circulated to community groups by e-mail yesterday. Mr Sharp comments upon the decision to deploy some Humberside Police officers to deal with the London disturbances:

"Humberside Police, like many other forces received a specific request to provide police officers to support the policing operation in London. A number of local officers have been sent to the Capital and are working with the Metropolitan Police to deal with the disorder and criminality... the Police Authority is satisfied that the absence of these officers will not impact upon the Force's ability to continue to serve local people and provide a high standard of policing."

The letter was intended to reassure local people - however it will in itself raise concerns that some areas in Humberside are not immune to the disorder seen elsewhere in the country.

Whilst no one can condone the actions of looters and criminals engaged in the self-destruction of their own communities, there needs to be a full investigation into the causes of the 'disaffection' that seems to have gripped an entire section - albeit a small minority - of our younger people and prompted them into self-destructive actions. The 'ingredients' that have fermented this disaffection - and into riots - obviously need to be analysed and understood so that we can tackle the underlying problems.

The Huffington Post (internet newspaper) has asked the questions:

It's surprising how little has yet to emerge about the rioters themselves: What are they after? What drove them into the streets, for four nights straight, to burn buses and shatter windows?

Demanding action against criminals and looters is needed - but if we fail to tackle the underlying causes of the current disaffection, then we will all suffer the consequences.

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Useful local police information

THERE ARE USEFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION about local policing online at the following website pages:

www.police.uk - Will take you to the national police website where you can find crime maps and other local information about the local area. You just need to enter your post code.

The Humberside Police Website - South West Holderness will take you to the local neighbourhood policing team's website pages. You can find out about local police meetings and drop-in surgeries planned and about actions taken by the police in the local area.

The Hedon Blog - Humberside Police category pages aims to record local police news and other information that has appeared on the Blog.

As previously reported on HU12 - you can also follow some police officers on Twitter.

If you have information about local public services that you feel we ought to highlight - let us know at e-mail: hu12@gmx.com

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Beware! Fair weather Burglars!

PEOPLE LIVING IN THE EAST RIDING are being urged to take another look at their home security after a spate of burglaries and attempted burglaries across the area including many with insecure doors and windows because of the recent good weather.

Detective Sergeant Gavin Orsborne from the Humberside Police Serious and Acquisitive Crime Team said:

“Opportunist burglars are clearly making the most of the invitations they are being offered by householders across the East Riding who continue to leave their homes insecure. Whilst I understand the need to keep cool when the weather is warm it is imperative that windows and doors are always kept secure to protect homes from burglars who will act within seconds and cause upset and misery to their victims. People need to take the simple steps now before they too become victims of burglary.”

Investigations are underway into burglaries and attempted burglaries and officers are keen to hear from anyone who thinks they may have information about incidents or may have seen something or someone suspicious in the vicinity of any offences.

Witnesses should contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Twitter: You can follow Sergeant Gavin Orsborne on Twitter at @DSGavOrsborne.

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Humberside Police are all a Twitter!

PC Darren Kirkwood Tweets about having to police his favourite football team!

HUMBERSIDE POLICE are conducting an experiment using Twitter. Each Division of the Force has its own account - East Riding C-Division is on @Humberbeat_ERY - and different types of officers are Twittering on their affairs.

Officers are using their accounts to tell us about patrolling the busy streets of Hull on a Friday and Saturday night. They are commenting on neighbourhood policing, burglary and vehicle crime investigations, and responses to incidents as they occur.

Find out more about the experiment including a list of the officers you can follow on Twitter, over at the Humberside Police Website - Social Network.

In response to low attendances at Police Community Forums then the Hedon Blog has suggested that 'virtual online meetings' may be a good idea to bring communities and officers together.

Services like MyPolice described on HU12 might be piloted in this area to encourage greater online collaboration between people and the police that serve them.

When some of these ideas were suggested in 2010 they perhaps seemed quite radical and far-fethched, but the appearance of Twittering police officers are probably a sign that these ideas are being looked at with new internet eyes!

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Police Marketing and e-Communications contract worth up to £3m - yet some advice is free!

HUMBERSIDE POLICE have joined with three other police forces (North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Police forces) to procure a contract to deliver its marketing and communications service (see publicTENDERS.net).

The contract, which could be worth anything between £600,000 and £3 million, has been put out for public tender and work is expected to commence by 13th June this year. It will cover four key areas: Public and Media relations, design services (brochures, booklets, newletters and adverts to new logos and advertising campaigns), campaign planning and e-Communications / social media.

The publication of the public tender has predictably caused outrage amongst those scrutinising police budgets and opposing cuts in police services and jobs.

However, if the Humberside Police Authority's "BIG Conversation" is anything to go by, then there is definitely scope for the authority and the police force to learn a bit more about the use of e-communication and social media! The 'online conversation' held last year was painfully slow using a static website and software rather than the dynamic converstional software that is currently available - and available free of charge! HU12 advised at the time:

The technology used to conduct the question and answer session is quite slow and laborious - those used to using near-instant conversation services such as Facebook and Twitter will find it frustrating! So those wanting to ask questions are encouraged to post them in advance.

Advice and information on the implementation of the social media part of the public tender is currently available at little or no cost from 'open-source' communities. In today's cost-cutting environment it would have been good to have seen the police forces using these community resources.

Image c/o eWeekEurope

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Plans for Humberside Police over the next four years

HUMBERSIDE POLICE AUTHORITY have announced the plans for future policing and declared that becoming more responsive is a key priority with a commitment to answer 999 calls more effectively.

The Police Authority met on Tuesday 22nd March to set the Policing Plan and priorities up until 2015. In setting out its priorities the Authority says it has taken into consideration the views of over 4,000 residents that took part in its "BIG Conversation" consultation last year.

Strategic Aim number One is to improve local trust, confidence and overall satisfaction. This includes improving responsiveness with police being there when needed and continuing to answer calls effectively.

On answering 999 calls, Councillor Chris Mathews, Chair of the Police Authority, had this to say:

“The public told us their top priority is responsiveness – you want the police to be there when you need them and to deal with your call effectively when you dial 999. The Members have taken that on board and as part of the aim to improve trust, confidence and satisfaction we have agreed a priority is to continue to answer those calls effectively. Members recognise there has been a phenomenal improvement with call handling by Humberside Police over the past few years, and that should not go unacknowledged. The Force currently answer 97 out of 100 999 calls within 10 seconds and we intend for this to continue.”

Persistent offenders will be targeted under the plan and dealt with in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and the minor crimes that blight the lives of local communities.  These individuals will become the focus  of schemes using community input and resolutions, such as community payback, so that local people can see the results of effective policing and partnership working with other agencies.

Other priorities within the plan include maintaining a focus on hate crime and domestic violence and working to prevent rises in serious acquisitive crime by reducing household burglary offences.

The Police Authority announced in February that 242 jobs would be lost at Humberside Police as part of a £30m cuts package over the next 5 years. The Policing Plan agreed on Tuesday takes into account what the Authority described as a "harsh financial position".

To view the local priorities visit www.humberside-pa.org.uk. The full Policing Plan will be available from 31st March 2011.

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Humberside Police cuts confirmed

IN A PRESS RELEASE following its meeting yesterday, Humberside Police Authority confirmed that 142 jobs will be cut this year as part of a £30m cuts package over the next five years. The Authority has stated that the jobs would be lost through voluntary redundancies.

Despite the reduction in budget, Chief Constable Hollis and Police Authority Chairman, Councillor Chris Mathews, pledged a joint commitment to continue to deliver the best possible service to local communities, in spite of the reduction in budget.

Chief Constable, Tim Hollis said:

"The budget is very demanding and there are hard times ahead. However, I am confident that we will meet them successfully because as a Force, we are built on solid foundations and because of the good people who are proud to work for Humberside Police and deeply committed to serving their local communities."

The full press release is available to view below:

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PCSOs hailed by Beverley and Holderness MP

GRAHAM STUART, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has written to the Chief Constable of Humberside Police asking him to do all he can to maintain the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) even in the current financial circumstances.

His call comes as the Chief Constable, Tim Hollis, looks to make efficiency savings across the force. A recruitment freeze has already been introduced.

The Beverley and Holderness MP said:

“I fully understand the need to make savings in order to tackle the vast deficit but wanted to let the Chief Constable know that PCSOs are valued by local communities and make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing. When the allocation for Humberside Police is announced in the coming weeks I hope the force will retain PCSOs as an important part of the police service.”

The Chairman of the Humberside Police Authority, East Riding Councillor Christopher Matthews, has also recognised the value of PCSOs. He said during a recent online consultation exercise, that: 

"Policing is one of my priorities and is also the priority for the Home Secretary. PCSOs are the very front of the frontline policing. Whilst I cannot guarantee that the PCSOs will not be cut, they will definitely not be the first thing to go." 

The Humberside Police Authority has asked Town and Parish Councils to consider the option of funding PCSOs and has pointed to examples where councils have helped fund neighbourhood policing teams with bicycles.

Link: Graham Stuart MP and Humberside Police Authority

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Level of Burglaries fall in latest police crime statistics

THE LATEST STATISTICS from Humberside Police reveal that the average number of burglaries in the South West Holderness Area has decreased by 44.4%.

The number of reported burglaries decreased from an average of 12 in August - October 2009, to 6.7 in the same three month period this year. The level of burglary in this area is classed as "Below Average" compared with the rest of the Humberside Police area of operations.

October saw the most dramatic decrease in burglary. There were 11 reported incidents in October 2009, but only 3 in the same month 2010.

Check out the latest statistics yourself at the Humberside Police website at South West Holderness Ward crime levels and statistics.

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Police conduct "Mischief Night" campaign

HOLDERNESS NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAMS are conducting a campaign within the area to highlight the problems caused over the period leading up to - and directly after - "Mischief Night" traditionally 'celebrated' on 4th November.

The campaign, under the heading “Your Mischief Their Misery” will run until 7th November and will comprise the following elements: 

1. A poster and leaflet campaign throughout the South East, South West and Mid Holderness area highlighting this problem. 

2. High visibility patrols in the areas where problems have occurred. 

3. Visits by the Neighbourhood Policing Team to retailers of eggs and flour to discourage sales to children and young people over this period.

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DID YOU KNOW.... Humberside Police Helicopter

DID YOU KNOW... Bringing you the stuff you might have missed!

Image: RotorNews

THE HUMBERSIDE POLICE helicopter HotelOscar99 was returned to service in August this year after its 10,000 hour inspection, reports RotorNews.

The helicopter is one of the busiest in service and was originally equipped and delivered in 2001.

Sara Whiting, Deputy Unit Executive Officer at Humberside Police’s Air Operations Section, stated that she is extremely happy with the helicopter. “It is the perfect helicopter for its role” and is “extremely reliable. It is popular with all of the pilots and crew and flies over 1200 hours per year. In the last month it flew 131 hours in response to 425 tasks, which resulted in the location of 58 offenders, 4 stolen vehicles and 17 missing persons.”

For those interested in technical specs: The helicopter is an MD Explorer 902 and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada 207E engines with 720 shaft horsepower per engine, the MD Explorer has the highest payload in its class. With a maximum gross weight of 6,500 pounds (2948 kg), it boasts exceptional power for take-off and landing on elevated platforms. The Category A rating allows for continuity of takeoff with safe return to the takeoff point in the event of a failure of one of its engines.

Source: RotorNews - Helicopter Association International

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History of East Riding Police in Beverley archives

THE IMAGE of the local bobby riding around the countryside on a bicycle is often the memory many people have of policemen and women of the past. But is this a true reflection?

People can now judge for themselves as East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s archives and local studies service is pleased to announce the availability of the East Riding Constabulary archive. 

This marvellous resource contains thousands of records and photographs recording the history of the force, providing a collection of great interest to social and family historians and enabling researchers to analyse their role in modern English society. East Riding Constabulary was formed in 1856, twenty years after Hull City Police Force. 

Beverley Borough Police force, which formed in 1836, merged with the constabulary in 1928 and, further amalgamations led to the creation of Humberside Police in 1974. 

“This collection contains some wonderful photographs recording over one hundred years of policing in the area and anyone who has a police officer as an ancestor might find a picture of them here. The collection gives a fascinating insight into the day to day running of the police and how it was organised.”  Joanna Larter, collections officer at the Treasure House. 

The collection also includes records of the methods used by police to first encourage road safety and war time records including those of the Police War Reserves and the alien registration certificates of those escaping the horrors of the war. 

The collection is available to view at the Treasure House in Champney Road, Beverley. Appointments to see it can be made by calling (01482) 392790, while the online catalogue can be viewed at www.eastriding.gov.uk/archives. 

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Live Online Chat about Humberside Police

READERS of HU12.net and The Hedon Blog should try to get on-line today (27th September 2010) and join the 'Big Conversation' with the chairman of Humberside Police Authority Chris Matthews.

The first in a series of online chats will take place today from 4pm to 8pm. Lots of questions on the impacts of funding cuts on the delivery of police services are expected.

Questions can be posted in advance or at any point, simply by logging on to www.humberside-pa.org.uk and clicking on The Big Conversation link.

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"Big Conversation" on Police!

HUMBERSIDE POLICE AUTHORITY launched what they are calling their "Big Conversation" yesterday (21st September, 2010). The consultation exercise is an attempt to establish what really matters to local people when it comes to policing and is taking place within the context of impending cuts in expenditure on policing.

The Big Conversation is one part of the Police Authority’s planned programme of consultation and engagement with local people, which will include questionnaires, deliberations by its 6000-strong Citizens’ Panel, attendance at local meetings, focus groups and an interactive forum on its website.

The move is part of the Authority's response to the significant spending cuts called for by the Government. The cuts will bring about changes in the way that police services will be delivered. Views are now being sought from the public about what they want from their police force in the future.

The Chairman of Humberside Police Authority, Councillor Chris Matthews, explained in a press statement:

“There has been a raft of speculation about funding cuts across the public sector and that’s understandable. I want to put the record straight, explain to people what we have been doing to prepare for stringent cuts so that changes can be introduced through a structured, strategically managed and controlled process. To date, I feel there has been too much focus on the financial implications and not enough consideration on what matters most to our communities. 

The Authority remains totally committed to the provision of an outstanding police service, one that is affordable and meets the needs of local people. We will be able to allocate funding to the Chief Constable in a more meaningful way if local people join in our conversation.”

An online survey is available which invites opinions on statements about policing, including views on police patrols, Police Community Support Officers, and on preferred ways to access the police i.e. via police stations, post, telephone, text message or e-mail.

To contribute your views you can access the online survey via the Police Authority website. You can also join in one of the internet ‘Big Conversations’ taking place and post questions to Police Authority members. 

The first 'Big Conversation' is scheduled to take place with Councillor Christopher Matthews, Police Authority Chairman, over the internet on Monday 27th September 2010 from 4pm - 8pm.

Links on HU12: More background articles.

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MyPolice - new online service to encourage collaboration between people and the police

IN A CLIMATE OF SPENDING CUTS then one of the 'soft' options to face budget reductions are monies spent on 'community development' - i.e. funding allocated to support the involvement of people and communities in shaping services.

Nowhere is this more the case than in crime prevention and policing. Humberside Police face the prospect of losing front-line police officer posts - so funding and officer time previously allocated to police community forums and other attempts at involving people in policing matters will almost certainly be reduced if not cut entirely.

However, a new online service to be launched soon just might help improve matters a little bit. MyPolice describes itself as is "an online feedback tool that enables the public and the police to have a conversation."

MyPolice will seek input, comments and stories from the public about their local police services. These will help identify weaknesses and strengths within local forces which in turn can help with ideas for improving them. The founders behind MyPolice, Sarah Drummond and Lauren Currie, explain:

"In providing analysis and data for the Police to act on, MyPolice challenges policy decisions that are made and ensuring that service users have an active part in changing the Police for the better. You can give your opinion at a time when you feel strongly about an encounter with the Police and feel that the service offered by the Police could be improved. It’s the place where you can see how your thoughts translate directly into action."   

MyPolice has yet to officially launch and the service is currently being developed with police forces to ensure that the final product is effective. However, one of the advisers behind the project is Doctor James Munro who founded the popular Patient Opinion service (also see right-hand sidebar on this website) which engages with almost every NHS Trust across the country to allow patients to give their feedback on hospital services.

MyPolice is coming - and the HU12 website will be looking forward to promoting the service here! It might never be able to replace face-to-face meetings with the police - but it will certainly offer an independent forum to give our compliments and criticisms of our local police services.

See Police Community Forums did not deliver value for money and  Community activists urged to join fight against crime for background reading.

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Police Community Forums did not deliver value for money

POLICE AND PARTNERS COMMUNITY FORUMS were set up as the main public consultation forums dealing with crime and community safety in the East Riding. However, regular low attendance and lack of interest from local communities has prompted a review of the Forums by the Humberside Police Authority which has concluded that they do not deliver value for money and more effective use of resources have to be found.

Those attending the Forums in the South West Holderness area will have experienced the low turnout of the public at meetings where attendance from paid staff, police and other public services, would nearly always outnumber local people.

Victoria Wise from the Humberside Police Authority told the Hedon Blog that the Authority was not withdrawing from public meetings completely but just had to be smarter in the way in which they held meetings and build upon the existing work of Neighbourhood Policing Teams:

"Regular low attendance and lack of interest from the wider community, coupled with greater involvement of local police in the community, prompted a review of the process which showed that they did not deliver value for money and were, to some extent, duplicating the efforts of Neighbourhood Policing Teams who regularly hold police surgeries and attend public/community meetings to discuss policing issues with the wider community."

The purpose of the forums was to allow the police and its partners, including the

public, to concentrate their efforts on identifying the main crime, disorder or community safety concerns in each area and identify a way of solving the local problems. The Humberside Police Authority is now looking at ways to achieve the same objectives by other means and will announce these in the next Local Policing Summary to be circulated this month.

See also Community activists urged to join fight against crime on the Hedon Blog.

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Police - South West Holderness Ward Crime Figures

CRIME LEVELS and statistics for the HU12 post code area (South West Holderness ward) reveal that the average number of crimes in the area for May - July 2010 have decreased compared with the same period last year - from 64 recorded crimes to 51.

The figures released on the Humberside Police website show that the biggest fall in reported crime happened in June. There were 82 crimes in June 2009 compared with only 51 in 2010.

The 'crime rate' for the area is described as average.

Note: The 'crime rate' for a given area is the number of crimes per 1000 people in that area. For each area these are calculated by dividing the actual number of crimes by the population and then multiplying by 1,000.

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