Latest News
Free burglar alarm? (29.7.10)
Recently a company stating they are from the National Crime Research Group has contacted residents in Leeds advertising free burglar alarms.
The company is believed to be under investigation by Trading Standards.
If you require a burglar alarm please make sure the installation company you choose is approved by the NSI(National Security Inspectorate)and is an SIA(Security Industry Authority)approved contractor.
Check all costs including installation and monitoring and always get at least three quotes.
If you require advice or further information regarding home security Please contact your local Crime Reduction Officer.
Improving Beeston estate is of Cardinal importance (29.7.10) An innovative scheme aimed at improving Beeston’s Cardinal estate and surrounding areas is being launched this week – and residents are urged to have their say on how to make it a lasting success.
The Cardinal Closer Communities scheme will see agencies involved in the local area working more intensively on issues including crime, grime, anti-social behaviour and housing for the next six months.
Local residents will be involved every step of the way – from monthly meetings where people can voice their opinions on the issues that matter to them, to being actively involved in initiatives such as estate clean-ups and environmental works.
The Cardinal Closer Communities scheme is a partnership between the Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team , Leeds City Council’s Environmental Action Team and Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Aire Valley Homes, Streetscene, South Leeds Area Management, the Cardinal Youth Club, and local councillors.
Each week the organisations will team up to carry out an environmental audit, pinpointing areas which could be improved, before holding a day of action every Wednesday where these issues are tackled head-on.
At the same time the NPT will be carrying out crime prevention visits and enforcement action, while Aire Valley Homes staff will be working in the area to resolve any issues affecting their tenants and properties.
Inspector Damien Miller of Holbeck NPT, who is one of the leads on the scheme, said “A lot of hard work is going on within the Cardinal estate to improve the area and in turn residents’ quality of life, and this new project will bolster that because those involved will be working more closely together on a more regular basis.”
“The aim is to ensure local people are fully involved in everything we do and hopefully take ownership of much of the work, so that once the six months has ended they will be very much in charge of what’s going on in their area.”
The first meeting will be held at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Cardinal Road, tonight from 6pm onwards.
In addition, a regular newsletter will be distributed to residents outlining the work of the partnership and asking for views and opinions on what issues they would like to be addressed.
Inspector Miller said: ““Residents’ involvement is crucial to the success of this scheme, and I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved and have their say on how we can all work together for the benefit of their community.”
Yvonne Crowther, who runs the Cardinal Youth Club on Cardinal Crescent, Beeston, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for all of the community to come together to have a say in and to participate in helping to improve the quality of life for all Cardinal estate residents and the surrounding area, to help build a better future for us all."
Gun youths arrested (28.7.10)
At around 4pm on Friday 23 July members of the public reported two males with guns, (allegedly air pistols) shooting at passers by in Beeston.
Several people attended at Holbeck Police Station, including some who had received injuries from the incident.
Sergeant Andy Rodgers from Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team commenced an area search. Two males fitting the descriptions were seen in Back Fairford Place. They were chased and one male was detained and arrested on Dewsbury Road, on suspicion of Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The youth, who was aged 15, revealed the location of weapons which he had hidden and two BB guns were recovered along with a number of plastic pellet balls. Officers from Holbeck NPT assisted with enquiries for the outstanding male.
Holbeck officers are never off duty! (21.7.10)
In the early hours of Monday 19 July after finishing her shift at 1am PCSO Claire Leech from Holbeck NPT was driving along Tunstall Road in her own vehicle when she saw five youths acting in a suspicious manner whilst walking on to the Longroyds.
PCSO Leech picked up PCSO Joseph Drury, who was waiting for a lift home nearby and rang Sergeant Andy Rodgers on her mobile phone. Sergeant Rodgers, who was also on his way home after finishing his shift, was also in his own vehicle. All made their way to the area, where the youths were detained by PCSOs Leech and Drury, and arrested by Sergeant Rodgers on suspicion of burglary.
Whilst being searched, a Sat nav was found on one of the youths which had been stolen from a vehicle on Longroyd Terrace.
Other Holbeck NPT officers, who were still on duty, continued the enquiries. The youths were charged with a burglary on Normanton Grove and with theft from a motor vehicle.
It is reassuring to know that Holbeck officers are still catching burglars when most people are tucked up in bed!
Holbeck NPT takes to the water (21.7.10)
On Saturday 26 June the third annual Dragon Boat Race took place at Clarendon Dock, Leeds. This event is held to raise funds for the Leeds Community Foundation which helps improve the quality of life of people living in disadvantaged communities by offering financial grants to assist local improvement schemes.
A total of 30 teams took part including officers from City and Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team. PCs John Cockcroft, Stan Julien, John Waring, Gary Blezard and PCSOs James Clarke and David Bowes joined forces with Councillor Adam Ogilvie and members of the Cardinal Youth Club in Beeston to make up one of these teams.
As a team they have already received pledges of over £500 towards this great cause.
Hoax callers to beware of consequences (21.7.10)
City and Holbeck Police are warning members of the public of the consequences of making hoax calls, after a man was arrested for falsely claiming to have been robbed.
The 25 year old Huddersfield man rang 999 on Saturday evening to report that he had money taken from him while at a cash machine outside a supermarket on Dewsbury Road, Beeston, by two men claiming to be carrying a gun.
Officers quickly attended and were unable to locate the man. However he was soon traced and spoken to, and it was established that the report had been a complete fabrication.
After being arrested for Wasting Police Time, he was issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice.
Detective Inspector Jim Dunkerley, of City and Holbeck CID, said: "We take all reports of crime seriously from the outset and false reports such as this not only waste officers' time but also diverts them away from genuine emergency calls, which can have serious consequences.”
"It doesn't take officers long to establish the truth, and anyone who knowingly makes a hoax call risks being taken to court and a possible prison sentence."
Appeal: Missing Person - Shingara Singh (21.7.10)
Holbeck NPT are appealing for information to trace 82 year old Shingara Singh, who was reported missing on Sunday evening.
Mr Singh is described as Asian, around 5'5" tall, balding with white hair and a full beard, with tattoos on the top of both of his hands.
He was last seen wearing a striped black suit, a lilac shirt, a blue turban, an orange scarf and a gold Sikh bangle.
Mr Singh is known to have connections to the E14 area of London, Manchester, and Leeds.
Anyone with information is asked to ring 0845 6060606.
Fraudster faces six more years in prison (16.7.10) The main conspirator in one of the United Kingdom’s biggest ever MOT frauds has been given six more years in prison after failing to pay back the £1 million he made from his crimes.
Roobik Mirzabegi, 53, of Old Lane, Beeston, was originally jailed for four years in January 2009 after being convicted of conspiracy to defraud and concealing the proceeds of criminal conduct, following an investigation by City and Holbeck CID which found that he was awarding thousands of fraudulent MOT certificates to unsuspecting motorists over 13 years.
A separate investigation by the City and Holbeck Proceeds of Crime Team found he had profited from his crimes to a total of £1,136, 530.98, and at Bradford Crown Court last September he was ordered to pay this sum in confiscation within six months or face six more years in prison.
Mirzabegi has only paid back £23,000 of the money so far, and as a result he was handed the additional six-year sentence at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
What’s more, interest of £244 per day was charged on the outstanding sum once the six months elapsed, meaning Mirzabegi now owes a total of £1,143,342.32 – more than he was found to have made from his crimes in the first place.
This interest is suspended while he is serving his sentence, which he will be released from should he pay the outstanding amount while he is in prison.
If he has not paid the full sum on his release from prison, officers can seize any future assets he acquires as part of efforts to recover the money.
His wife, Julie, 52, was also ordered to pay back the £375,000 she was found to have profited from her crimes – assisting another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct and obtaining services by deception, for which she received a two-year prison sentence (reduced to 15 months on appeal).
She has since paid back more than £379,000.
To report people you suspect of living off the proceeds of crime, contact Why Should They? anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
For more information, visit www.whyshouldthey.com.
Update from the United Together football project (13.7.10)
PC Gary Blezard reports that the United Together project at Soccer City has got off to a flying start.
He attended the second evening of the project on Friday 9 July and numbers of youngsters attending had doubled from the previous week.
In total 44 kids played in all three sessions, with the middle session for those aged 11 to 13 attracting the highest numbers.
All the youngsters were from Holbeck, Beeston or Cottingley.
The kids were all well behaved, and the feedback was encouraging with a special thanks going out to the two LUFC coachers who were excellent.
The numbers will only increase as word gets out, and with T-shirts planned and press releases upcoming it will prove to be a great success and a fantastic diversionary activity which the residents of Beeston, Holbeck and Cottingley will all appreciate as levels of anti-social behaviour reduce.
CASAC helps make homes safer (13.7.10)
CASAC- Community Action and Support Against Crime- gives comprehensive advice and practical Crime Prevention solutions in the Leeds area.
Click here to link to their site
Alleged Kidnap, Beeston (13.7.10) City and Holbeck CID are appealing for witnesses and information regarding an alleged kidnap which occurred at the Co-op Car Park, Town Street, Beeston, on Friday 2 July.
A man and a woman were walking towards the Co-op at around 7.15pm when they were approached by four men. The man ran from the car park, but the woman was forced into what is believed to have been a white Ford Transit van before it was driven away.
A 44 year-old man and a 24 year-old man from Cheshire have since been charged with kidnap, and have been bailed after appearing at Leeds Magistrates' Court.
The woman was uninjured during the incident.
Enquiries are ongoing and detectives are keen to trace anyone who may have been in the area around the Co-op at the time of the incident.
Officers are particularly keen to trace a group of around six males who were sat on the car park wall near to the store's entrance.
Detective Inspector Paul Smith, of City and Holbeck CID, said: "It is clear from our enquiries that those involved are known to each other, and the couple were not approached at random.”
"However, we remain keen to trace anyone who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed the incident. The six males sat on the wall are likely to have seen the four men approach the couple and may have vital information which can assist our enquiries.
"I would urge these people to contact City and Holbeck Police as soon as possible."
Anyone with information is asked to contact City and Holbeck CID on 0845 6060606.
Friendly burglar arrested (2.7.10)
On 27 June a vulnerable and elderly male, was subject to a deception burglary, when he was befriended by a male and female, who stole his savings.
A vague description was provided by the complainant, which was instantly recognised by the local PCSO David Lythe, and forwarded to CID.
As a result of further enquires, on 28 June, officers attended at an address in Beeston, where a male was arrested by Holbeck NPT officer PC Rachael Hides for burglary and detained for further CID enquiries.
Sergeant Andy Rodgers said " Any crime is unacceptable, but in this case the victim was an elderly and lonely man, who embraced the friendly approach by the offenders. As a result, they took advantage of the man and the opportunity to steal money from the house. A particularly selfish and despicable offence. "
Update from Beeston PACT Meeting (2.7.10)
On Thursday 1 July the latest Beeston PACT meeting was attended by Sergeant Jon Aldred from Holbeck NPT. Approximately 20 residents were present and the guest speaker was Councillor Richard Lewis, who discussed and answered questions on developments in the Leeds area and the benefits to the outer lying community.
The forum discussed the poor state of pavements in the locality and agreed to liaise with the local council to establish what was being done.
Sergeant Aldred provided the latest NPT newsletter which was well received by the residents who commented on its professional appearance. Sergeant Aldred gave an update on the crime issues explaining the reductions in crime which have been achieved through the hard work of Holbeck officers as compared to this time last year. An explanation of the new Anti-Social Behaviour recovery procedure was explained and the reasons for its introduction.
Sergeant Aldred commented on the hard work done by all officers, in particularly by the local PCSOs. Members of the forum praised the work of the PCSOs stating that they were the officers seen on the streets and in contact with the public directly.
No other matters were raised.
The current local priorities are to remain the same.
The next Beeston PACT meeting will be at Beeston Community Forum, Beeston Village Community Centre, St Anthony's Drive, Beeston on Thursday 5 August at 7.30pm.
Get Hooked on Fishing not Drugs or Crime (29.6.10)
This year’s annual fishing competition run by West Yorkshire Police will be held on Saturday 7 August on the Calder and Hebble canal, between Wakefield and Horbury.
This event, which is open to young people under the age of 18, is an initiative to introduce youngsters to the sport and to reduce anti-social behaviour.
There are two sections - under 18s and under 15s.
The match is not solely aimed at experienced anglers but also those fishing for the first time are more than welcome.
The day starts with the draw at 6am at Bishopgarth restaurant followed by breakfast at 7-30am.
Fishing starts at 10-30am to 2-30pm, returning to Bishopgarth for the results. In the past even anglers that have not caught anything have netted a prize in the lucky peg draw.
We are also looking for people to help run the event, even if you have never fished you can help run the bank and record the weights of fish caught by the anglers.
Application forms are available from Anne Show at Local Policing, Wakefield on 01924 292271
Wakefield Angling club are holding some taster days where youngsters can have a go at fishing. These tasters last for 30 minutes and everything is provided including the Environments fishing licence required for the taster session.
The first taster day is on Friday 6 August at Newmillerdam starting at 10am to 3-30pm.
Wakefield Angling club will be holding two more taster days this year, for information please contact the club president on 01924 823924.
Holbeck NPT launches the United Together football project (29.6.10)
PC Gary Blezard in partnership with Leeds United FC and Soccer City is delighted to announce a new Friday evening football opportunity. The United Together project will run for a trial period of ten weeks from Friday 2 July.
The idea came from a similar project in Huddersfield which saw anti-social behaviour reduced by 50%.
Leeds United FC are providing their staff for coaching and refereeing, and Soccer city are providing the venue which comprises of three indoor 5-a-side pitches - all free of charge.
Holbeck NPT are assisting in publicising the event and providing staff to operate the project.
The age range is from 5 to 15 years, free of charge for kids living in the Holbeck, Beeston and Cottingley areas.
If it proves a success then the catchment area may be extended.
Application forms can be obtained from Soccer City, 1 Benyon Park Way, Beeston, or from local schools and community groups.
Appeal: Theft from Motor Vehicle (29.6.10)Detectives are appealing for information following an alleged theft from a motor vehicle which happened in Beeston on Monday 10 May 2010.
At approximately 7:35pm, a silver coloured Audi A6 was parked on Dobson Place, Beeston. In the rear of the vehicle were a number of small holdalls/carry cases containing a quantity of cash and jewels to an approximate value of £30,000.
A male suspect approached the vehicle and smashed the rear off side passenger window, took the holdalls and ran off onto Burton Avenue. Nearby CCTV picked up the suspect.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Young at Holbeck CID on 0845 6060606 or alternatively contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
CAD Beeston Residents Meeting
The latest CAD Beeston Residents Meeting was held on Tuesday 8 June at the City Evangelical Church, Elland Road. Inspector Damien Miller attended from Holbeck NPT to give the residents an update on the policing in the area for the month of May. The meeting was chaired by the local Beeston & Holbeck Councillor David Congreve.
Overall crime for May was down to 150 offences compared with 163 offences in April. The biggest reductions in the area were theft from motor vehicles which had gone from 21 offences in April down to 4 for May.
Inspector Damien Miller also explained to the group the current drive by the team on anti-social behaviour and that all residents should be reporting it to the Police as it is occurring so officers could attend.
The new anti-social behaviour policy was also explained to the group and how the local Neighbourhood Team is combating persistent anti-social behaviour.
The group thanked Joy Hart who was the Area Committee Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker for Inner South Leeds for all the hard work she had done for the group ensuring the minutes were taken and distributed. Joy’s contract has unfortunately come to an end and she is now moving on to a new role, which we all wish her luck with for the future.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 10 August at 6.30pm at the City Evangelical Church, Elland Road.
Far Beeston Dispersal Order Extended
Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team has secured a six-month extension to the Far Beeston Dispersal Order to continue cutting crime and anti-social behaviour across the area.
The Dispersal Order gives police officers and police community support officers the power to order under 16s and groups of people out of the majority of the LS11 postcode area for as long as 24 hours.
If they return or remain after being told to leave, they could receive up to three months’ imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine.
The boundary of the Dispersal Order is as follows: From the junction with Dewsbury Road, north along Cross Flatts Grove to the junction with Beeston Road, then west to Town Street, along Town Street to Millshaw where it meets the railway line. It follows the railway line until it is south of Parkwood Crescent where it travels east across South Leeds Golf Course and the Ring Road Beeston to join Gipsy Lane south of The Links by the start of the drive up to the golf club.
It then turns North along the east side of Gipsy Lane past Cockburn School, to head east again until south of Southleigh Drive, Southleigh Grove and Southleigh Avenue, and down to the easterly end of Southleigh Road to go along Westland Road back to the junction with Dewsbury Road and Cross Flatts Grove.
Anti-social behaviour was cut by 15% and crime was cut by 14% in the Far Beeston area during the first five months the Dispersal Order was in place. House burglaries were cut by nearly half, and there was also less incidents of criminal damage and assault.
Holbeck NPT has now been given the green light by Leeds City Council to extend the Dispersal Order until 30 November as part of efforts to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour even further in the local community.
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