York Crime and Disorder Audit 2004 (Summary)

Background

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 required...

• Relevant agencies with an interest in reducing Crime and Disorder to work together in Partnership to address crime and anti-social behaviour affecting the community
• Certain key agencies - Police, Local Authority, Primary Care Trust, Fire and Rescue Authority, Police Authority have a statutory obligation under the Act within the partnership
• An audit to be carried out in order to identify crime and disorder issues of concern to local people
• That the audit will consider statistical data from a wide range of sources as well as the views of the community
• That the audit document be distributed within the communities for consultation to take place on its findings
• That following consultation, a three year strategy be formulated containing long and short term objectives and targets to tackle the identified priority issues of crime and disorder in the area

The Current Strategy – 2002-2005

Safer York Partnership is made up of agencies across the City of York with an interest in reducing crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Since 2002, the Partnership has achieved the following in relation to its current strategy:

• Established a number of multi-agency problem solving groups involving key agencies, residents and elected members to tackle identified crime in hotspot locations
• Established a number of steering groups to oversee the performance of task groups in delivering the current strategy
• Achieved substantial reductions in Burglary, Vehicle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour
  Developed a range of initiatives to support communities in tackling crime and disorder
• Administered Home Office funding to support initiatives and projects across the City

Area Profile

York covers 27,200 hectares and has a current population of 181,094 (2001 Census). City of York Council is a unitary authority responsible for all local authority services in its area. York sits within the county of North Yorkshire. Many other services, including policing, operate at county level.

Demographics

The average age of York residents is 39.3 years old compared to a National average of 38.6. York has a significant older population with 8.2% aged 75+ compared to a National figure of 7.6% aged 75+. York also has a slightly higher than National proportion of single people (32.3% compared to 30.1%) and 97.8% of the population of York are white compared to 90.9% in England and Wales.

Economy

York's economy provides a strong base of skilled and professional jobs with above national rates of employment. In York 61.4% of the population aged between 16 to 74 are employed compared to a national figure of 60.6%.

• Within York, 18% of those unemployed were aged 50 and over, 7% had never worked and 24% were long term unemployed
• The percentage of people claiming Job Seekers allowance and Income support is similar to the UK average
• Whilst the majority of the City enjoys reasonable affluence there are pockets that fall within the top10% most deprived areas of England and Wales

Education

There are 59 primary schools and 11 secondary schools in York. According to the 2001 Census there are 14,575 full time students in education aged between 16 and 74.

• Almost a quarter (24.6%) of York residents aged 16 to 74 have no qualifications (2001 census)
• A similar number (23.6%) are qualified to degree level or higher

Housing

Housing in York is mostly of good quality and the city has few areas where neglect is evident.

• Almost three quarters (74.2%) of residents live in owner occupied accommodation compared to 68.9% nationally.
• Just over 10% (10.5%) of York's residents live in local authority housing compared to 13.2% nationally. This figure has reduced from the 1991 census which showed 15% of York residents living in local authority housing.

Tourism

York is a major tourist City with around 4 million visitors per year. Much of the City's economy is based around the tourism industry.

• In 2005 York will host Royal Ascot resulting in a significantly higher number of visitors and substantial income to the City during June.

Crime & Disorder

Total Crime

• During the last 12 months, 71,656 crimes were recorded by North Yorkshire Police in York and North Yorkshire. Of these, 41% were in York

Burglary Dwelling

• A three year analysis of burglary dwelling shows the number to have risen by 7% between 2001 and 2004.
• Whilst burglary remains a problem in some areas of the City, the number of burglaries have reduced significantly from April 2004 and are continuing to continuing to reduce
• Burglary featured as a priority in the 2002-2005 Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy. Multi-agency problem solving groups were set up within burglary hot-spot areas. As a result of initiatives developed by these groups, significant reductions have been achieved in the targeted areas
• The biggest concern of residents consulted through the crime audit consultation process was being burgled
• 99% of residents consulted had taken precautions to target harden their property
• Over 30% of dwelling house burglaries occur because the premises were insecure. Despite repeated campaigns to raise awareness, this still continues to be a problem

Burglary non-dwelling

• Burglary non-dwellings have reduced in the last three years and are continuing to show sustained reductions
• Multi-agency problem solving groups convened in crime ‘hotspot' areas have continued to contribute toward reductions in burglary non-dwelling
• Only 10% of residents consulted were concerned about theft from a garage or shed.
• Respondents to the business survey were concerned about burglary and this was the most common crime that has been experienced by businesses in York
• Guildhall Ward has the highest number of burglary non-dwellings. This is because the ward includes the City Centre and has a high concentration of commercial premises.

Community Watch

In the time period analysed (2001-04) York has:

• 1446 community watch schemes
• 12 college bar watches
• 24 farm watches
• 7 golf watches
• 23 guest house watches
• 82 hotel watches
• 32 members bar watches
• 4 nightclub watches
• 27 nursery watches
• 206 pub watches
• 100 restaurant watches
• 83 school watches
• 11 tea room watches

Theft from a Motor Vehicle

• Thefts from motor vehicles have increased steadily between 2001 and 2004. The highest levels are recorded in the Guildhall Ward which contains the City Centre.
• Whilst vehicle crime overall has decreased since April 2004 it remains a priority for Safer York Partnership, City of York Council and the Police
• Regular advice has been issued to motorists about not leaving valuable goods on display in vehicles
• Police Community Support Officers have identified vehicles where goods are on display and the owners have been contacted with advice
• Twenty percent of respondents to the audit survey reported that their car had been damaged or broken into. Thirteen percent were concerned about their vehicle being damaged and 14% stated that they perceive car crime to be a major problem for York.
• Despite continuous crime prevention advice being issued, owners continue to leave valuables on display in their vehicles

Planning Data

• Between 2001 and 2004, Safer York Partnership has been consulted on 269 planning applications
• Between 2001 and 2004 12 awards have been given for Secured by Design/Secured car parks

Violent Crime

• Violent crime has more than doubled from 2001 to 2004. Whilst the figures are beginning to stabilise it still remains a serious problem.
• The two highest crime wards in relation to violent crime are Guildhall and Micklegate. This is due to concentrations of licensed premises in the City Centre
• Violent crime was identified as a priority in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy 2002-2005 and continues to remain a priority for both Safer York Partnership and the police
• Only 8% of residents consulted were concerned about being assaulted. Very few (3%) had been victims of assault but 16% cited alcohol related offences as a problem for York
• Visitors to the city interviewed during the summer stated that crowds of young people drunk on the streets a night made them feel unsafe. This view was echoed by residents
• Over two thirds of Licensees surveyed stated that trained door staff helped them to reduce crime and disorder on their premises
• There is no seasonal trend in relation to violent crime
• The offender profile is males aged between 18-28 years old
• Although the violence figures are high, they only relate to those incidents reported to the police. It is likely that the true figure may be even higher given that alcohol related violence often goes unreported
• Safer York Partnership has convened a City Centre task group whose remit includes developing a multi-agency problem solving approach to tackling violence in the City Centre

Criminal Damage

• Criminal damage has increased significantly (70%) between 2001 and 2004
• Criminal Damage provides one of the most consistent measures of anti-social behaviour levels
• Areas where criminal damage is high also tend to have high levels of other reported anti-social behaviour such as nuisance neighbours, reports of young people causing nuisance etc.
• Vandalism was the crime and disorder problem most widely experienced by businesses and licensees in the consultation surveys
• 13% of residents surveyed considered vandalism to be a problem in their neighbourhood
• The number of vandalism incidents recorded against Council property has reduced from 823 in 2001-02 to 276 in 2003-04
• Almost a quarter of criminal damage is related to people's homes. This causes not just distress and inconvenience but incurs financial costs to the occupants in repairing the damage

Other Anti-Social Behaviour Data

• Between 2001-04 York had 14 ongoing Anti-social behaviour orders, 3 pending , 11 expired and 24 Acceptable Behaviour contracts
• The number of abandoned vehicles reported in 2003-04 was estimated as 1135*
• 21680 complaints of litter/litter bins were received during 2003-04*
• 2179 complaints of dumped rubbish were received during 2003-04*
• 381 complaints of fly tipping were received during 2003-04*
• 536 complaints of graffiti were received during 2003-04*
• 61 complaints of nuisance were received during 20003-04*
• Just over 900 noise complaints were received by CYC in 2003 compared to just over 700 in the previous year.
• Higher numbers of noise complaints are received during the summer period June – September

* Year end estimates for 2003-04 from City of York Council

Shoplifting

• Shoplifting has increased between 2001 and 2004 with the highest percentage (43%) occurring in the City Centre
• There are strong links between shop lifting and drugs with offenders often stealing goods to generate income to support substance addiction
• The consultation did not reveal any specific issues relating to shoplifting
• Safer York Partnership and North Yorkshire Police have undertaken a number of initiatives with Retailers Against Crime in York to combat shoplifting, including the introduction of retail exclusion orders

Arson

• Arson has increased between 2001 and 2004 with the highest incidences in those wards where other types of anti-social behaviour is high
• The consultation process did not reveal any significant community concerns around arson although it did identify abandoned vehicles as a problem
• Safer York Partnership and North Yorkshire Police have recently run an initiative with the DVLA to target untaxed vehicles. This removes untaxed vehicles from the road which might have become abandoned and targets of arson

Robbery

• Robberies have increased between 2001 and 2004 with almost a quarter (23.4%) occurring in the City Centre
• Numbers of robberies have also increased nationally
• Only 2% of consultation respondents had been victims of mugging or robbery and 10% expressed concern about robbery and mugging
• Whilst the numbers have increased it should be noted that the overall baseline figures are very low and that York does not suffer from the extent of robberies that are being experienced in other UK cities

DISC (Diversity incorporating safer communities) Incidents

• The number of DISC incidents reported has reduced from 101 in 2001-2 to 85 in 2003-4
• The majority of incidents reported were in relation to race

Nipper (Incidents involving youths)

• Between 1st January 2002 and 30 September 2003, 435 Nipper incidents were recorded
• Hotspot areas where Nipper incidents have involved alcohol have been identified
• Only three incidents involved drugs

Drugs Data

• The number of sharp finds across the city have increased from 1539 in 200-01 to 2072 in 2003-04
• The number of sharp finds from city centre toilets has decreased from 864 in 2001-02 to 233 in 2003-04
• The average age of clients receiving treatment for drug dependency is 26-30yrs old
• 69% of those receiving treatment are male
• The number of people obtaining treatment through Turning Point DTTO in York during 2003-04 was 150
• Of these, most were aged 21-25 and 75% were male
• The number of monthly drug offences recorded by North Yorkshire Police in 2003-04 is similar to that recorded in the previous year (data is only available to Dec 03)
• The year total for 2003-04 is estimated at 503 compared to 638 in the previous year
• The majority of offences were possession of cannabis
• The age profile of offenders is predominantly aged 17-24
• York has the most significant correlation between drugs and other offences in the North Yorkshire Police area
• 36% of drugs offences were resulting from stop/searches, 29% from others calling the police to attend and around one fifth as a result of the police dealing with other offences
• 98% of drugs offenders arrested in 2002-03 were white European, and half were unemployed
• Between 2002-03, 64% of individuals arrested were eligible for arrest referral and of these 86% complied

Alcohol Data

• 233 people are receiving treatment (tier 3 and 4) from York Alcohol Advisory Service
• The average age of clients is 31-35 years old
• 63% of those receiving treatment are male

Road Traffic Accidents

• The number of road traffic accidents has increased from 6009 in 2001-02 to 677 in 2003-04
• The majority of these accidents involved minor injuries

Domestic Violence

• The number incidents of domestic violence reported to the police rose from 992 in 2001-02 to 1093 in 2003-04
• Of the 1093 incidents reported in 2003-04, 719 were 1st time reports, 207 were repeats
• The number of arrests for domestic violence increased from 177 in 2001-02 to 231 in 2003-04

Criminogenic Factors

• The primary criminogenic factor in York is education related
• Other factors of note in York are relationships drugs and thinking skills

Conclusions

The full audit report contains a vast amount of data derived from all agencies concerned with crime and disorder reduction. The audit process has allowed Safer York Partnership to significantly develop its data capture processes and create a working database that may be used by agencies to more accurately deploy resources to areas of need.

Both the data analysis and community consultation processes have identified five common themes:

• ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
• BURGLARY
• DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
• VEHICLE CRIME
• VIOLENT CRIME

These are the areas that are recommended by Safer York Partnership as the strategic priorities for the next three year strategy. They are also consistent with the priorities identified in the Central Area BCU Control Strategy.

Consultation on these themes and how they might be included in the next strategy will now commence across all key agencies and with the community

 

Jane Mowat
Director, Safer York Partnership

© 2004-2006 Safer York Partnership