Beeston Newsletter

Please select the items you wish to print, then select reformat page.

Page Index

• NPT Photo (top of page)
• NPT Map (top of page)
• Essential Contacts
• NPT Photo (below essential contacts)
• NPT Map (below essential contacts)
• Local Priorities and News Roundup
• Your Local Contacts
• Partners and Communities Together Meetings (PACT)
• Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
• Forthcoming Contact Opportunities
• Contact Information
• Local Crime Statistics
• Crime Reduction Information
• Area Profile
• Our Local Commitment to You
• How You Can Take Action

---

Latest News

Update from Proceeds of Crime Team (8.9.10)

Geoffrey BOSTAN - Cross Flatts Avenue, Beeston

Geoffrey has been the subject of an investigation by the North West Leeds POCA Team for robbery. He appeared before Leeds Crown Court on 7 May 2010 where a confiscation order was granted. The total benefit of his crime was deemed to be £37,550. He was given 28 days to pay £360.00 to the Courts or face a further 7 days imprisonment.

The difference between the benefit from crime calculated and the amount he had available to pay will remain outstanding for life. The order can be revisited at any point and if any assets are identified they can be used to settle the order, even if those assets have been obtained legitimately.

---

Drunk motorist arrested (7.9.10)

During the early hours of Sunday 5 September officers from Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team were on uniformed patrol in the Cross Flatts area of Beeston when they spotted a male acting suspiciously in a vehicle parked on Dalton Avenue.

On approaching and speaking with the man they quickly established that he was in drink. Following a breath test procedure he was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a motor vehicle whilst being over the prescribed limit of alcohol. This was confirmed by the formal test then carried out at the Police station. The 26 year old male was subsequently charged with the offence and bailed to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court.

West Yorkshire Police always take firm action against the act of drinking to excess and then driving. A significant proportion of serious road accidents are attributable to the driver consuming too much alcohol.
If you have any information to report about this or any other criminal activity, please contact us by one of the methods shown above.

---

Update from Beeston Community meeting (7.9.10)

The latest Beeston Community meeting was attended by Sergeant Jon Aldred and PCSO Oliver Metcalfe. Also in attendance were Councillors Adam Ogilvie and Angela Gabrielle and local MP Hilary Ben.

Numerous items were brought up in the meeting including the new build of Tesco on Old Lane and the resulting road works.
Sergeant Aldred advised that crime has fallen in the last month and the new anti-social behaviour policy which Holbeck NPT are operating.
Residents present were happy with the crime statistics and with the efforts of Holbeck NPT.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 7 October at Beeston Community Forum, Beeston Village Community Centre, St Anthony's Drive, Beeston starting at 7.30pm. 

---

Inspector Miller’s monthly message (5.9.10)

Inspector Damien Miller

Each month when I sit down to write this message it always pleases me to see how well Holbeck NPT are performing at reducing crime and anti social behaviour in your community. The team are always working hard together to keep this performance going and I am pleased to announce some new members.

Firstly we have Police Community Support Officer Nicolas Smith and Police Constable Simon Shillito who are both new recruits and who are currently being tutored by members of the team. We also have Police Community Support Officer’s Matthew Kuritzin who has joined us from Rothwell NPT, Jonathan Wilson who has come from Kirklees Division and also Police Constable David Beadling who is a transferee from Scotland. May I take this opportunity to welcome them all to Holbeck NPT and I am sure they will all be an asset to the team and the community.

So how are we doing compared compared with the figures up until 29 August last year? To date we have had;

• 122 fewer victims of burglary dwelling
• 56 fewer victims of burglary others (sheds, garages, business premises etc)
• 107 fewer victims of criminal damage
• 18 fewer victims who have had their vehicles stolen
• 20 fewer victims of assault
• 8 fewer victims of robbery
• 9 more victims of theft of property from within their vehicles

These are fantastic achievements, however I know that having 9 more victims of theft from motor vehicles is not good news. As we see with the start of the football seasons at Elland Road, we have had an increase in vehicle crime. We have addressed this by increasing visible and undercover patrols in the area whilst the matches are being played. However the public can assist us with this by not leaving property on display or even better still by not leaving valuables within their vehicle.

As with the school holidays in August we tend to see a rise in anti social behaviour during the summer months. However with the work that Holbeck NPT and our partner agencies have done in putting on diversionary activities during this period I am pleased to announce we have had a reduction. Anti social behaviour has been reduced by 18% in August compared with the previous month. That has meant we have received a staggering 65 fewer calls.

We are committed as a department to build on this success and in the last six months we have arrested a staggering 475 suspects. My message to those who offend within our communities is that we and the community will not tolerate it and we will bring you to justice.

---

Gas main fire (5.9.10)

At shortly before 2pm on Friday 3 September a report was received by City & Holbeck Police that a gas mains pipe had fractured and caught fire at Ring Road, Beeston Park. This had resulted in a jet of flames reaching some 30 - 40ft into the air.

On arrival at the scene Police and Fire services closed the road and contained the area for the safety of the public whilst the gas utility company commenced work to isolate the damaged main.

Eight houses near to the fractured gas main were evacuated due to the potential risk to the occupants and other nearby residential and business premises were advised to keep their windows and doors closed until the fire was extinguished.

Once the initial containment was completed, Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team then took responsibility for the control and management of the outer cordon and traffic management.

Due to their local knowledge of the area it was possible to make arrangements with local residents and businesses to secure access over private land to allow the occupants of the Southleigh estate, which had no vehicular access on public roads at the time due to the fire, to get both themselves and their vehicles home and allow emergency vehicles to enter the estate.

Holbeck NPT officers remained in the area until 3am the next morning when the gas main was finally isolated and the fire extinguished.

Unfortunately, the section of the ring road between the Southleigh estate and Dewsbury Road sustained significant damage due to the fire and is expected to be closed to traffic for some days to come.

Sergeant Darren Chapman of Holbeck NPT, who was present at the scene, stated, “This was a major incident involving a number of the emergency services and utility companies. Due to the time of day and nature of this event there were a number of challenges in ensuring public safety whilst maintaining an acceptable level of access to the surrounding streets and keeping utilities running to the area. As a result of close liaison between the different agencies involved and the willingness of local residents and businesses to assist, this potentially dangerous incident passed without injury to any person or serious damage to nearby properties and with as little disruption as was possible to the community itself.”

---

Road Traffic Officers make 'Catch of the Day' at fish shop (1.9.10)

A pair of roads policing officers got more than they expected after they stopped off at a local fish and chip shop - when they arrested a man for stealing the charity collection box from the counter.

PCs Natalie Knox and Rob Owens from Division's Roads Policing Unit were on pro-active patrols in the Beeston area on Thursday 12 August when they decided to stop off for a bite to eat at Green's Fisheries on Dewsbury Road at 7.15pm. On entering the shop, they were told that a male had just stolen the charity collection box from the counter and had run off down the street. Natalie and Rob ran out of the shop and quickly arrested a 15 year old man on suspicion of theft. The officers also recovered the charity collection box and returned it to the shop.

Sergeant Graham Slarke, head of the City and Holbeck Division's Roads Policing Unit, said: "Our officers are always out and about on patrol trying to track down criminals using the area's roads, but I don't think they would have expected to make an arrest while stopping off for their supper"

---

First win of the season for Holbeck NPT (8.8.10)

It may have been a poor start to the season for Leeds United losing at home to Derby County; however it was definitely a positive start for Holbeck NPT.

As with every home match of the season, Holbeck NPT concentrates on the large number of vehicles which come into the area and are parked up whilst the owners attend at Elland Road Stadium to watch the match. Extra high visibility reassurance patrols are conducted, whilst plain clothes officers patrol on foot and within plain police vehicles.

Due to these patrols on Saturday 7 August at 6pm officers from Holbeck NPT successfully arrested a 31 year old male and a 36 year old male for a theft from motor vehicle on St Anthony’s Drive, Beeston.

These males were seen breaking into the vehicle and stealing from within it a Sat Nav and an IPod. Both males then made off before being detained by Holbeck NPT a short distance away. Both males have since been charged with the offence and detained to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on Sunday 8 August.

Inspector Miller said, “This is an excellent start to the season for Holbeck NPT. Last year we employed the same tactics and were able to reduce the level of vehicle crime on match days. Due to last seasons success we are employing the same tactics and this result is a great start. It sends the right message out to potential car criminals in the areas we will not tolerate your offending”.

---

Cash up for grabs to tackle local issues (5.8.10)

West Yorkshire Police Community Trust has funds of up to £2,500 up for grabs in its latest grants round and gives local community/voluntary groups the chance to apply for funding to support their valuable work in addressing the issues identified by local communities.

A total of £50,000 worth of funding has been allocated to this grant round and applications are sought from community and volunteer groups as well as charities and other non-profitable organisations that can make a positive difference to their communities.

The Community Trust is funded by seizing assets from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and also through fundraising and private donations.

Last year’s grant recipients included;

Bradford Dragons Basketball Club – were granted £1,440 to help deliver outdoor basketball taster sessions in parks and outdoor courts around the Bingley area. Its aim was to attract more young people away from anti-social behaviour by becoming involved in a new sport.

Youth.com Fest – received £1,240 to provide diversionary activities for young people from Huddersfield. They have been giving cookery lessons with a local celebrity chef, have held a photography workshop with a professional photographer and were able to make a film with a successful film-maker from Huddersfield.

Greenside Community Centre – were given £390 to provide residents with a safe and fun environment. Many of its residents are over 80 and benefited from increased security and entertainment over the Christmas period.

Bob Lewis, Trustee of the West Yorkshire Police Community Trust, said: “We’re encouraging groups from across West Yorkshire to apply for a grant from the Community Trust. We have seen some great work and projects from previous applicants and we’re sure this will continue this year. The Trust remains committed to funding these grants at a local level because of the valuable benefits that are achieved.
It has supported hundreds of local community groups and small charities across West Yorkshire over the years, helping them to make a real difference to the lives of others.”

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday 10 September and all applications must be endorsed by an officer from your local Neighbourhood Policing Team. To ensure endorsement is received prior to the closing date we suggest you make contact with your Neighbourhood Policing Team three weeks prior to the closing date.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by mid October and receive their grants at an Awards Night in late November.

To apply, call 01924 292646 or email communitytrust@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
The West Yorkshire Police Community Trust provides grants to voluntary and community groups within the county to support activities that help in the reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Community/voluntary groups are urged to visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/communitytrust for information on the next grant round where they can apply for funding.

---

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.

---

Team 1

PC 268 Susan Abbott

PCSO 115 Oliver Metcalfe

Team 2

PC 4138 David Beading

PC 1092 Alexander Smith

PCSO 434 Alexander Cockayne

Team 3

PS Andy Rogers

PC 2542 Dean Burling

PC 4152 Simon Shillito

PCSO 244 Kirsty Johnson

Holbeck NPT Anti Social Behaviour Officer

PC Paul Humphrey can be contacted on 0113 285 5446

Holbeck NPT Crime Reduction Officer

PC John Cockcroft can also be contacted on 0113 285 5446

---

You can join us at our Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings at the Beeston Community Forum, Beeston Village Community Centre, St Anthony's Drive, Beeston on the first Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.

Although we would really like to see you in person at the PACT meetings we understand that it is not always possible for you to make it. As a result we have included a link so you can nominate an issue that you feel should be a policing priority in your area.

Please click here to fill it in and we will ensure that your voice is heard at the next PACT meeting.

---

---

Police Community Support Officers Surgeries

Officers are available to speak to at the following location:

Beeston Library, St Anthony's Drive, Beeston on the last Friday of every month  5pm - 6pm in conjunction with MP Hillary Benn and your local Beeston and Holbeck Councillors

---

Telephone number 0113 2414629.

Email Address cacommunity@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk 

Prior to sending an email, you must consider the following options in order that your issue is dealt with in the most appropriate manner:

• Does your message relate to an emergency? If so dial 999.
  
• Does your message relate to an ongoing incident which requires police attention? If so dial 0845 6060606.
  
• Do you want to pass anonymous information relating to a crime? If so contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please include your name, address, contact telephone number and as much detail about the problem as possible. Please note that this email system is only checked by us on weekdays. You will receive an acknowledgement via email to say that we have received and are dealing with your email.

---

Visit the West Yorkshire Beatcrime website - http://www.beatcrime.info/ - where you can use your postcode to obtain crime figures for your local neighbourhood.


You can also check police performance in your local area - with detailed information over a period of 12 months displayed in tables and graphs.

The site was conceived and funded by West Yorkshire Police Authority and developed in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police.

---

CASAC helps make homes safer

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

---

BOGUS CALLER INITIATIVE

City & Holbeck Police are working in partnership with Leeds City Council's Inner South Leeds Area Management on a joint project aimed at safeguarding elderly and vulnerable residents against 'Bogus Callers'.

Most people who call at your door will be genuine, however some are not therefore it is important to be on your guard if someone you are not expecting turns up at your door.

Bogus Callers can use several disguises in order to trick their way into your home. The most common is to pose as an official, such as a utility (gas, electricity or water) employee, a council worker or a police officer.

Bogus Callers make claims in relation to work that they say needs doing to your property, or use distractions to gain entry.

They also come in all shapes and sizes, and can be any age (for example, Bogus Callers have been known to use a child to claim he/she is looking for a lost ball).

In recent weeks there been several incidents of burglary involving Bogus Callers visiting the homes of vulnerable and elderly persons. Having managed to gain entry they have then stolen valuable items and cash. Often this leaves the victim feeling scared and vulnerable. Items stolen may be irreplaceable such as family jewellery.

The current Initiative involves Police Officers, PCSOs and Leeds City Council;s Neighbourhood safety Officer and Neighbourhood Wardens offering advice and reassurance to vulnerable and elderly residents in the South Leeds Area. Residents will be offered the a plastic card to be fixed in a window visible to anyone approaching an address.

The householder should not feel obliged to open the door for anyone they do not recognise. They can simply point to the card which shows a nominated persons contact details to arrange for an identity check. The nominated person can be a suitable friend, relative, carer, or sheltered housing warden. Genuine callers will normally make an appointment first and will carry identification with their photo on.

DONT KEEP LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH IN THE HOUSE;

ALWAYS REPORT SUSPICIOUS CALLERS TO THE POLICE;

IF IN DOUBT DONT OPEN YOUR DOOR, KEEP THEM OUT;

It is hoped that this new initiative will reduce the number of Bogus Caller offences in the South Leeds Area. This initiative is another example of Police and Council working together to reduce crime in this area.

If anyone would like advice about this or other crime issues please contact
PC John Cockcroft Holbeck Police Crime Reduction Officer on 0113 2855446

---

---