Detectives Catching Robbery 'In Their Web'

 Saturday October 13, 2012

Detectives in Airedale and North Bradford are heading into cyber space in a bid to tackle mobile phone robbery involving young people.

They're set to undertake a series of online discussions on the subject with local schools allowing a two way conversation.

Working alongside the Safer Schools Partnership, crime prevention advice will be provided to students, who in turn, will be able to ask questions of the officers.

The first web chat takes place on Monday 15 October with Belle Vue Boys and Girls school on Thorn Lane in the Heaton area of Bradford between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Detective Inspector Richard Partis of Airedale and North Bradford CID said: “Across Airedale and North Bradford, almost half of street robberies involving the theft of personal property involve victims under the age of 19. A majority of these incidents also revolve around mobile phones being stolen.

 "We therefore wanted to look at the ways in which we were able to reach young people with crime prevention advice, beyond the traditional means of communication.

“Although the concept of a web-chat is something widely utilised across the Force, this is first for a CID department within West Yorkshire.

“It allows us to reach a specific captive audience and provide a two way dialogue, which will encourage safety among young people and prevent offences from occurring.

“During the web-chat, we will be fielding questions around technology, security and how we investigate robbery.

"Stealing someone’s mobile phone is a very serious offence, which amounts to robbery. Any arrests made are also considered for referral to the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit where further orders can be made to monitor individuals in the community.

“Although the CID department work extremely hard to prevent and detect robbery, we are always looking for innovative ways to share information and advice.

“This latest idea enables us to develop a personal relationship with the students whilst raising their awareness around personal security and their confidence to report offences.

"The detectives will be asking pupils to consider where they use their mobile phones and not advertising the fact that they are in the possession of an expensive item.

"Security marking their handsets with UV pens and registering IMEI numbers with their phone operator are also measures that will be discussed.

“Alongside the web-chat, Safer Schools Officers and Neighbourhood Policing Team Officers will be approaching pupils and parents with crime prevention advice as they leave schools.

“A bulletin will be posted on school websites to outline some of the key messages to avoid becoming a victim and the consequence for those involved in robbery.

“We are also working towards a competition for pupils, where we will be asking them to design a poster to highlight personal safety among their piers.”

 For further information on crime prevention advice, you can visit the West Yorkshire Police Website:

http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/help-advice/crime-prevention/students