Friday, October 2, 2009
Wakefield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has been working closely with Arriva Yorkshire since February 2009 to tackle incidents of anti-social behaviour at Wakefield City Centre bus station.
The initiative has seen a 60% reduction in calls to police - from 52 to 19.
The bus station and surrounding area had been highlighted as problematic earlier this year when several reports were received of victims being assaulted or members of the public being intimidated by the presence of large groups of youths.
The NPT, in partnership with Arriva Yorkshire, devised a Civil Banning Notice to be issued to those committing offences or acting in a disorderly fashion.
Posters were displayed in the bus station to warn those set on causing trouble that they would be banned from the area.
As a result seven youths were banned. Anyone who received a Civil Banning Notice was then automatically barred from the station for a lengthy period of time. If they attempted to return at any stage during the ban then the police would remove them from the area.
Inspector Richard Close of Wakefield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team commented: “Working in partnership with Arriva has benefitted both organisations. The station is a much safer place to be, calls for demand on the police have also reduced by 60% since we started the initiative. This frees up officer time to concentrate on other local priorities. Arriva has stepped up to the mark and had great results. We will continue to support our partners to eradicate problems.”
Mary Lowrey, general manager of Arriva's Wakefield Depot, said: "Much of the credit goes to our cleansing and security supervisor, Nigel Thompson, who has implemented this in a steady and sensible way, ensuring that those who received the banning order had full and fair warnings. Arriva Yorkshire was so pleased with his efforts, and the safer environment created for the community, that they recognised him with a 'Made a Difference Award'. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Inspector Close and his excellent team."
Wakefield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) has been working closely with Arriva Yorkshire since February 2009 to tackle incidents of anti-social behaviour at Wakefield City Centre bus station.
The initiative has seen a 60% reduction in calls to police - from 52 to 19.
The bus station and surrounding area had been highlighted as problematic earlier this year when several reports were received of victims being assaulted or members of the public being intimidated by the presence of large groups of youths.
The NPT, in partnership with Arriva Yorkshire, devised a Civil Banning Notice to be issued to those committing offences or acting in a disorderly fashion.
Posters were displayed in the bus station to warn those set on causing trouble that they would be banned from the area.
As a result seven youths were banned. Anyone who received a Civil Banning Notice was then automatically barred from the station for a lengthy period of time. If they attempted to return at any stage during the ban then the police would remove them from the area.
Inspector Richard Close of Wakefield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team commented: “Working in partnership with Arriva has benefitted both organisations. The station is a much safer place to be, calls for demand on the police have also reduced by 60% since we started the initiative. This frees up officer time to concentrate on other local priorities. Arriva has stepped up to the mark and had great results. We will continue to support our partners to eradicate problems.”
Mary Lowrey, general manager of Arriva's Wakefield Depot, said: "Much of the credit goes to our cleansing and security supervisor, Nigel Thompson, who has implemented this in a steady and sensible way, ensuring that those who received the banning order had full and fair warnings. Arriva Yorkshire was so pleased with his efforts, and the safer environment created for the community, that they recognised him with a 'Made a Difference Award'. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Inspector Close and his excellent team."
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