Safer York Partnership

Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy

Safer York Partnership
PO Box 246
Mill House
York
YO1 9YX

Tel: 01904 554567

www.saferyork.org.uk

April 2002
Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy

Introduction

Welcome to York’s second Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy, for 2002-2005.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires every local authority to have a Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy, prepared in partnership with other agencies. In York, Safer York Partnership prepares this strategy together with its key partners, City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police, and many other local partners.

The strategy will build upon the success and lessons learnt during the three years of our first Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy (1999-2002). We hope it will make a real difference in reducing actual crime levels and the fear of crime within the city.

Overview of Safer York Partnership

Safer York Partnership exists to reduce crime and the fear of crime, creating a safer environment in York. It aims to improve the quality of life for everyone, residents, businesses and visitors.

The foundation of Safer York Partnership’s work is the legal duty of carrying out a regular audit of crime and disorder within the area. We are then able to develop a Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy in direct response to local problems of crime and disorder.

Over the last three years Safer York Partnership’s structure has been based on multi-agency action groups and a multi-agency staff team, through which we have delivered the Crime Reduction Strategy. In order to meet the demands of the new strategy, Safer York Partnership is making some structural changes, but the emphasis upon shared responsibility for crime reduction will stay the same.

Safer York Partnership is currently revising the methods that it uses to evaluate its effectiveness, to make sure that it delivers the key aims of the strategy. We are putting in place clear lines of accountability, by which each partner will know its responsibilities and can track progress against the objectives of the strategy.

Each priority within the strategy is underpinned by an action plan. Each plan details specific targets, measurable outcomes, costs, timescales and responsibilities. We are taking a problem-solving approach to ensure the Partnership’s actions are based on sound, up-to-date information, thorough analysis and evidence-based responses to crime reduction.

Our effectiveness relies upon the active involvement of all the key agencies and the local community. In our new strategy, we have drawn attention to ways in which the general public can help to reduce crime in their neighbourhood.

As far as possible, we have tried to make connections between crime reduction and the other plans and activities of partners, such as health improvement, education, drug treatment and local regeneration.

Summary of the Crime and Disorder Audit findings

The Crime and Disorder Audit sets out information about crime and disorder between 1999 and 2001. The purpose of the audit was to identify local problems and to suggest ways to tackle them. The audit focused on the following issues:

Offenders
Victims
Domestic burglary
Vehicle crime
Youth crime and disorder
Crimes based on prejudice
Violent crime
Fear of crime
Drug and alcohol related crime
Traffic offences and road safety
Retail and business crime

A large range of information was collected from many local statutory, voluntary and community organisations.

The results showed that the overall number of crimes recorded by police fell during the two-year period covered by the audit, in some cases by quite large amounts. The largest reductions were seen mostly in the high-volume crimes of domestic burglary, vehicle crime and shoplifting, but also in assault and wounding (see table). However, even including the reductions, these incidents remain the major high-volume crime types within the city.

Category	1999/2000	2000/2001	Change
Assault and wounding (excluding assaults on police officers)	948	814	-14%
Domestic burglary	2190	1789	-18%
Theft from motor vehicles	2493	2184	-12%
Theft of motor vehicles	1006	877	-13%
Shoplifting	1797	1704	-5.2%

The key findings of the Crime and Disorder Audit are:

Offenders

Misuse of drugs or alcohol is an important factor in offending.
The number of offenders aged 10-17 is reducing, but there is an increase in the number of 18-24 year olds offending.
Over 90% of offenders are local people.

Victims

In the last two years 42% of residents have had direct experience of crime. 75% of residents knew somebody who had been a crime victim in the same period.
Older people are less likely to be victims of crime, particularly violent crime
Young people, while often thought of as being responsible for crime, suffer more victimisation from violent crime.
Over 95% of victims are local people.

Domestic burglary

The Talk About survey showed that residents continue to think of burglary as their major concern, both during the day and the evening.
The rate of domestic burglary reduced by 40% between 1997/98 and 2000/01, but is still above average when compared with 62 similar local authorities.
The level of burglary varies considerably by ward.
26% of burglary victims were aged 25-34, with 19% aged 18-24. Only 14.5% were aged 65 and over.

Vehicle crime

The amount of vehicle crime is falling, but is still above average when compared with 62 similar local authorities.
96% of car thieves are male. Only 10.5% of car thieves are aged 25 or over.
Vehicle crime is focused in the centre of the city, particularly around car parks.

Youth crime and disorder

Residents see youth offending and disorder as a major concern. They also support new ways of reducing offending behaviour.
Most young offenders are male and aged 16 or 17 years.
34% of offences committed by individuals aged 10-17 were theft and handling offences. This is above the regional and national level.

Crime based on prejudice

70 racist incidents were reported during the two-year period of the audit.
In seven months, police logged 13 cases of homophobic assault, abuse or threats.
It is likely that crimes based on prejudice are considerably under-reported. Reporting of hate crimes needs to be encouraged.

Violent crime

Violent crime fell during the audit period. It accounts for less than 7% of all crime.

Fear of crime

Despite the general reduction in crime levels over the last two years, residents’ fear of crime has changed little.
Fear of crime has a greater impact on residents than the experience of actual crime. Long-term residents are the most likely to be concerned about going out alone.

Drug and alcohol related crime

Drug misuse is an area of concern to local people, and is commonly thought of as contributing to crime.
The most common illegal drug is cannabis. 55% of all drug arrests were related to cannabis, while 21% were related to heroin.
Drug misuse is most commonly found in the 18-26 years age group.

Traffic offences and road safety

Most speeding tickets are issued on main roads into and out of York.
Studies suggest that there are few accidents or injuries on York’s roads.
Accident hot-spots are most likely to occur at junctions, crossroads and roundabouts. There are no hot-spots on residential or unclassified roads.
These issues are dealt with in the City of York Local Transport Plan.

Retail and business crime

Shoplifting is the most common business crime to be recorded by police, but is also one of the least costly.
Recorded shoplifting fell by 5% during the audit period.
Shoplifting may be being diverted away from the city centre. The number of shoplifting offences in central areas has fallen by 12% but has risen in a number of other areas by over 10%.

Costs of crime and disorder

Recorded crime cost the City of York £29.85m during 2000/01 (as assessed using Home Office costings for crime).

The Crime and Disorder Audit is based on data from a two-year period ending March 2001. It shows a trend of declining crime within the city. In the period following the audit (April-December 2001) crime has increased in most of the major crime groups. In the light of these changing trends we reviewed the priorities in the strategy, and we are confident that the strategy adequately addresses the profile of crime in the city.

Although the Crime and Disorder Audit suggests reducing levels of vehicle crime, violent crime and domestic burglary, we are clear that these areas should continue to be priorities for action.

Summary of consultation findings

Local people have been consulted regularly about their concerns relating to crime and disorder. In the recent consultation we particularly focused on people's views on how crime and disorder issues should be tackled.

Consultation took place through existing groups such as Talk About panel, business panel, ward committees, Disabled Persons’ Advisory Group, and Older People's Forum. It also took place through specially arranged events such as an open community forum and focus groups.

The findings showed that different groups of local people had very similar concerns. The issues of greatest concern to local people were:

Theft from homes
Speeding
Groups of young people
Vandalism
Vehicle crime
Drug and alcohol users

A number of locations were identified where people felt most vulnerable. These included public and street locations, such as: outside shops, open spaces, and outside community centres. Focus groups also identified specific areas or neighbourhoods, which were felt to be particularly unsafe. Fear of crime was felt to have a greater negative impact on the quality of life than actual crime.

Young offenders and drug users participating in the focus groups had experienced victimisation and fear, most often in relation to violent crime such as mugging.

The major concerns of local businesses were vandalism, vehicle crime and burglary.

Local people listed the following as priorities for crime reduction measures:

Community warden patrols
Action in schools, encouraging children and young people to become good citizens
Provision of more out-of-school activities for young people
Work with offenders to reduce and/or prevent their offending behaviour
Local action to reduce drug and alcohol misuse

The above activities were drawn from a list, which did not offer policing options. Previous research has told us that where policing options are offered, they tend to be preferred to other forms of crime reduction; for instance, at the community forum event, policing measures were offered and were consistently chosen. However, alternative approaches such as action in schools, leisure activities for young people and local action on drugs, were also popular with participants.

Strategic priorities

Information from the Crime and Disorder Audit, the consultation process and the national evidence about crime reduction, has enabled us to identify the areas on which we should concentrate. We believe that allocating time and resources to these areas will have a positive impact on crime and disorder in York.

This document sets out seven strategic priorities for crime reduction in York for 2002-2005:

Anti-social behaviour and disorder
Building safer communities
Drugs and alcohol - tackling drug and alcohol related crime
High volume crime
Prevention of youth offending
Violent crime and harassment
Working with offenders - to change offending behaviour.

In the remainder of this document we present the reasons for our choice of each priority, what we hope to achieve, how we will measure our success, some of our main short and long term actions, and suggestions of what you can do to help. Together these priorities make a rational response to York’s crime and disorder. We have tried to avoid duplication and to keep each priority as brief as possible. Please read them as a whole in order to get a true picture of our plans.

We have also set out some strategic aims for the development of Safer York Partnership. These are summarised in the Ensuring Delivery section. These aims are essential to the achievement of our priorities for crime reduction.

Crime reduction targets will need to take account of major changes in the way that crimes are soon to be recorded by the police. The changes are expected to cause an estimated 15% rise in recorded crimes (based on West Midlands and Staffordshire pilot schemes). In the current system, reports of crimes are validated before being recorded. However, on 1 April 2002 police crime recording systems will move to the ACPO National Crime Recording Standard. An alleged crime will be taken at face value and recorded as a crime without any scrutiny. The aim of this change is to close the gap between the levels of crime recorded by the police and levels identified by the British Crime Survey.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND DISORDER

Reasons for choice:

Local people place nuisance and disorder high on their list of priorities for action.
Disorder and anti-social behaviour increase the fear of crime and have a negative impact upon quality of life.
Certain types of anti-social behaviour and street level crime are rising, such as criminal damage and arson.

Key objectives:

To reduce anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and nuisance.
To reduce incidents of arson.
To reduce residents' concerns about disorder and anti-social behaviour.
To reduce the number of people injured or killed in road accidents in York.

Measures of success:

A 10% reduction in criminal damage offences by 2005.
A 30% reduction in the incidence of arson as measured by NYFRS by 2005.
A 9% reduction in residents' concerns about vandalism and nuisance by 2005.
To have a definition and measure of antisocial behaviour agreed by March 2003.
A 9% reduction in residents' concerns about speeding by 2005.
A 25% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in York in road accidents by 2005, compared to the average for 1994-98.
A 7% reduction in the total number of reported road accident casualties by 2005, compared to the average for 1994-98.

Short-term actions:

Key Activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead agency
AS1	Increase multi-agency responses to individual cases of anti-social behaviour in local communities.	March 2003	NYP/CYC
AS2	Pursue ABCs and ASBOs where appropriate.	Ongoing	NYP/CYC
AS3	Put into practice the new Youth Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy.	Sept 2002	CYC Youth Service
AS4	Put into practice the Arson Reduction Initiative.	March 2003	NYFRS
AS5	Carry out targeted crime reduction work in areas which have high disorder problems.	Ongoing	SYP
AS6	Analyse research on 'anti-social behaviour' and decide on appropriate responses.	March 2003	SYP
AS7	Focus on enforcing speed restrictions in areas with high casualty records.	Ongoing	NYP

Longer-term developments:

Key Activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead agency
AS8	Coordinate leisure and recreational facilities and target resources at crime hotspots.	Jun 2004	CYC Leisure
AS9	Use information from public requests (SC3) to find local solutions to particular disorder problems.	Apr 2004	NYP
AS10	Improve driver education and awareness of dangers of speed.	March 2004	NYP
AS11	Improve the design of roads to reduce excessive speed and accidents.	March 2005	CYC

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES

Reasons for choice:

Crime and disorder takes place within local communities and cannot be tackled by agencies alone. Local residents offer the greatest resource to reduce crime.
Involvement of residents can help to reduce crime and disorder.
A sense of community is generated when neighbourhoods work together and when residents accept their roles and responsibilities as neighbours.
Fear of crime reduces the quality of life more than actual crime, regardless of the age of an individual. 52% of people were concerned about going out alone in the evening and at night in the area where they live (CYC Talk About).
Residents view safety from crime and violence as very important, but are not very satisfied with what is being done (CYC Talk About).

Key objectives:

To reduce the fear of crime.
To encourage residents to become involved in their community in order to make real safety improvements in their neighbourhoods.
To encourage residents to be vigilant and willing to report incidents; to promote this as a valuable contribution to fighting local crime.
To promote communication and unity between all age groups living in a neighbourhood.
To work with the community to design more secure neighbourhoods.

Measures of success:

A 5% increase in residents’ willingness to report crime and anti-social behaviour by 2005.
A 12% increase in the percentage of people feeling that York is a safe city in which to live, and is relatively free from crime and violence, by 2005.
An 8% reduction in concern about going out alone by 2005.
A 10% reduction in concern about leaving the house empty by 2005.
A 10% increase in satisfaction with what is being done to improve safety by 2005.
Improved public awareness of, and satisfaction with, opportunities for residents to be involved in community safety issues (baseline to be achieved by 2003, target for 2004).

Short-term actions:

Key Activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead agency
SC1	Encourage discussions between younger and older people on crime and fear of crime issues.	March 2003	CYC
SC2	All partners to review current ‘community safety’ communications, including consultation, with a view to issuing joint statements.	March 2003	CYC Marketing & Communications
SC3	Analyse safety requests made by the community to the police and other partners, in order to understand the demand and the possible responses	March 2003	NYP
SC4	Involve the community in crime reduction issues through existing forums eg ward committees, and community organisations eg Neighbourhood Watch.	March 2003	CYC Citizens Support
SC5	Continue to present positive crime reduction messages in local media.	Ongoing	SYP
SC6	Maximise the resources available to reduce crime in local neighbourhoods. Seek funding for street / community warden schemes.	Ongoing	CYC
SC7	Increase awareness amongst property developers and the community that crime can be prevented through good environmental design.	March 2003	CYC Planning
SC8	Support the Youth Forum in playing an active role in local ward committees.	March 2003	CYC Youth Service

Longer term developments:

Key Activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
SC9	Develop joint communications and information for residents, as a result of SC2 and SC3.	March 2004	CYC Marketing & Communications
SC10	Look at the effectiveness of ward committees and similar forums in community safety issues.	March 2005	CYC Citizens Support
SC11	Bring together and improve existing crime reduction schemes in local communities.	Ongoing	SYP

Ref

Activity

To achieve by

Lead Agency

SC9

Develop joint communications and information for residents, as a result of SC2 and SC3.

March 2004

CYC Marketing & Communications

SC10

Look at the effectiveness of ward committees and similar forums in community safety issues.

March 2005

CYC

Citizens Support

SC11

Bring together and improve existing crime reduction schemes in local communities.

Ongoing

SYP

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Reasons for choice:

As much as 80% of all crime may be related to offenders’ drug or alcohol misuse.
The cost to the community amounts to many millions a year; the cost to the Criminal Justice system alone is in excess of £500m a year.
There is increasing community concern about drug and alcohol misuse and the negative impact on community well being.
Evidence shows a strong link between alcohol and violence.

Key objectives:

To reduce the levels of drug and alcohol related crime in the city.
To support the community in order to reduce the negative effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
To enable people with drug and alcohol related problems to overcome them and to live healthy and crime free lives.
To help young people to achieve their full potential without the use of drugs or alcohol.
To disrupt the supply of illegal drugs and to prevent the inappropriate sale of alcohol.

Measures of success:

A 100% increase in number referred from the Criminal Justice System into alcohol treatment services by 2005
A 60% increase in number referred from the Criminal Justice System into drug treatment services by 2005
A 25% reduction in drugs litter and needle finds in public places by 2005
A 60% increase in numbers using needle exchange services by 2005
Wider range of treatment options available
A 100% increase in numbers using community-based drug and alcohol support or treatment programmes by 2005
Ensure drug and alcohol education is available to the entire community.

Short-term actions:

Key Activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	By achieve by	Lead Agency
DA1	Increase drug and alcohol education in a wide variety of settings.	Nov 2002	DAT Training Consortium
DA2	Set up effective referral routes for offenders from the Criminal Justice System to alcohol advice and treatment services.	Dec 2002	NYP
DA3	Improve the response to reports of used needles and drugs litter.	Sept 2002	CYC City Centre Management
DA4	Appoint a Drugs Analyst to improve the collection of data and increase the understanding of the relationship between drugs and crime.	June 2002	NYP
DA5	Expand appropriate treatment services.	June 2002	DARG
DA6	Create a specialist referral option linked to the Young People's Alcohol Confiscation scheme.	March 2003	NYP
DA7	Use Communities against Drugs funding to support the development of community based drugs prevention and support schemes.	March 2003	SYP
DA8	Set up a supported housing scheme for those at risk of, or involved in, drugs misuse.	June 2003	CYC Community Services
DA9	Expand outreach services, targeting ‘hard to reach’ drug users.	June 2003	Compass

Longer term developments:

Key Activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	By When	Lead Agency
DA10	Identify and address gaps in treatment services.	April 2004	DARG
DA11	Improve the quality of care by better monitoring and evaluation in line with best practice.	Ongoing	DAT/DARG
DA12	Be flexible in responding to changing patterns of drug and alcohol misuse in the community.	Ongoing	All Partners
DA13	Widen community involvement and encourage local ideas.	April 2003	DARG
DA14	Encourage organisations to agree policies for the management of drug and alcohol related incidents.	April 2003	DAT
DA15	Improve targeting of vulnerable individuals and groups to ensure appropriate allocation of services.	April 2004	DAT/DARG

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: HIGH VOLUME CRIME

Including vehicle crime, domestic burglary, retail and business crime.

Reasons for choice:

These crimes represent around 50-60% of all crime committed in York.
The level of these crimes in York is above average when compared with similar cities nationally.
Residents and businesses say that these crimes are of major concern.
The government has set clear targets for the reduction of vehicle crime and domestic burglary.

Key objectives:

To reduce the number of these crimes by reducing incentives and opportunities.
To increase the likelihood of detection and conviction.
To reduce tolerance of these crimes.

Measures of success:

A 25 % reduction in domestic burglaries by 2005.
A 30% reduction in vehicle crimes by 2005
An increase in detection rates for domestic burglary and vehicle crime (target 20%).
A 30% reduction in burglaries in 3 areas with the highest incidence.
A 20% increase in Neighbourhood Watch schemes in high crime areas by 2005.
A 10% reduction in crime in retail premises by 2005.

Short-term actions:

Key Activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
HV1	Identify higher crime areas which have a low number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Set targets for expansion in these areas.	May 2002	CYNWA
HV2	Create a Car Park Consortium to encourage joint actions to reduce vehicle crime.	Sept 2002	CYC Parking Services
HV3	Work with small businesses to increase awareness and reduce vehicle crime.	March 2003	NYP
HV4	Target multi-agency activity to high crime areas.	Ongoing	SYP
HV5	Reduce the disposal of stolen goods by increasing the awareness of registered second-hand dealers.	Sept 2002	CYC Trading Standards
HV6	Encourage the use of security measures by householders, businesses and the community.	Nov 2002	SYP
HV7	Encourage retailers, within the city centre and in outlying areas, to reduce shop theft.	March 2003	CYC - DEDS
HV8	Encourage the use of Secured by Design principles in new and refurbished properties.	March 2003	NYP
HV9	Increase the number of proactive interventions to arrest offenders and reduce high volume crime.	March 2003 Ongoing	NYP

Longer term developments:

Key Activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
HV10	Increase the number of Secured Car Parks.	April 2004	NYP
HV11	Consider the implications of CCTV use, with a view to upgrading systems and monitoring.	March 2005	CYC/NYP
HV12	Increase Neighbourhood Watch in high crime areas and encourage intolerance of burglary	April 2004	NYP
HV13	Investigate the legal and practical issues of gating schemes in high burglary areas	April 2003	CYC - DEDS
HV14	Monitor and respond to the displacement of high volume crime as a result of these actions.	March 2005	NYP

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: PREVENTION OF YOUTH OFFENDING

Prevention activity will target children and young people between 4 and 17 years old, who are either ‘at risk’ of offending, or who have committed an offence resulting in police reprimand or final warning.

Reasons for choice:

Prevention of youth offending will have a long-term impact on levels of crime and disorder, and will enable more young people to live crime-free lives.
Local people express serious concern about young people’s involvement in crime and disorder and there is a lot of support for actions which divert young people away from crime and towards positive citizenship.
Young people aged 10-17 years old form 22% of known offenders in York (Crime Audit 2002).

Key objectives:

To prevent young people from becoming involved in crime.
To identify the factors which place young people ‘at risk’ from involvement in crime, such as poor parenting, and to develop effective responses.
To increase young people’s involvement in constructive leisure activities.
To reduce youth anti-social behaviour.
To provide skills and support for positive parenting.
To increase the number of young people in education, training and employment.

Measures of success:

A 5% reduction in re-offending rates by 10-17 year olds by 2005.
A 60% increase in the number of parents accessing parenting programmes by 2004.
To ensure that 90% of offenders known to the YOT are in full-time education, training or employment by 2004.
An increased proportion of youth service resources will be targeted on issues of social inclusion, crime reduction and improving the achievements of young people (target 30%).
A 10% reduction in the level of concern about young people causing a nuisance.
To ensure that 80% of 16-18 year olds are in training or education by 2004.
A 10% reduction in truancy by 2004.

Short-term actions:

Key activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	By When	Lead Agency
YP1	Develop a multi-agency early intervention strategy	April 2002	YOT
YP2	Implement a multi-agency family support strategy.	March 2003	CYC Children’s Services
YP3	Create information and planning systems for identifying ‘at risk’ factors for young people.	Jan 2003	CYC Children's Services
YP4	Extend and expand Truancy Watch patrols.	Sept 2002	NYP
YP5	Support 13-19 year olds in learning through the Connexions Service.	April 2002	Connexions Service
YP6	Engage 'at risk’ young people in sporting and active leisure activities.	Ongoing	CYC Leisure
YP7	Evaluate the CRISS programme for Lowfield School.	Oct 2002	CYC Education
YP8	Build Anti-Social Behaviour module into YOT intervention programme	Dec 2002	YOT
YP9	Develop 'Nipper' programme and identify young people at risk of offending.	March 2003	NYP LAP Commanders
YP10	Increase investment in projects, which work with socially excluded young people to raise their expectations and achievements.	March 2003	CYC Youth Service

Longer-term developments:

Key activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	By When	Lead Agency
YP11	Expansion of alternative programmes at key stage 4 (14-16 years) to prevent disaffection and truancy.	Ongoing	CYC Education
YP12	Provide guidance and evaluation for schools delivering the Citizenship curriculum.	Dec 2003	CYC Education
YP13	Develop CRISS programme in all Secondary schools (dependant upon evaluation).	Sept 2003	CYC Education
YP14	Expand the youth service activity in tackling nuisance behaviour in local communities.	July 2003	CYC Youth Service
YP15	Develop means for young people, and the Youth Forum, to influence the community safety agenda.	Sept 2003	CYC Youth Service
YP16	Target specific communities and run pilot taster sessions to improve participation in leisure activities.	March 2004	CYC Youth Service

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: VIOLENT CRIME AND HARASSMENT

(including robbery, homophobic and race crime, assault, sexual crime and domestic violence)

Reasons for choice:

The number of robberies increased from 37 to 52 in the six months following the audit period, compared with the same six months the previous year.
There is significant under-reporting of violent crime and harassment. Police may record as little as 18% of all violent crime (British Crime Survey 2001).
Violent crime, although uncommon, has a severe impact upon victims.
Consultation indicates that, despite its relatively low levels, there is considerable public concern about street robbery and violent crime.

Key objectives:

To reduce the incidence of robbery, assault and sexual crime.
To continue to improve the reporting of harassment, domestic violence and hate crime.
To develop a more effective response to victims and offenders.

Measures of success:

A 50% reduction in violent crime by 2005.
A 20% increase in the reporting of domestic violence and hate crime by 2005.
A 20% increase in the proportion of victims accessing support services for violent crime.
Achievement of 90% detection rates for violent crime.
A 20% reduction in reported repeat domestic violence incidents by 2005.
An increase in the number of domestic violence offenders who are engaged in behaviour changing programmes (target 12 per annum).
A 25% reduction in the proportion of pupils in secondary schools having experienced bullying by 2005.

Short-term actions:

Key Activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
VC1	Target awareness campaigns to vulnerable groups in at risk locations, to reduce street violent crime.	April 2003	SYP/NYP
VC2	Undertake detailed research into the profile of local violent crime victims and offenders.	April 2003	NYP
VC3	Develop a strategy for reporting and responding to homophobic crime.	April 2003	NYP
VC4	Evaluate the new York Racial Harassment Strategy to make sure that the procedures are valid.	Jan 2003	RHPG
VC5	Make sure that all domestic violence victims and offenders reaching level two stage are aware of the options open to them.	Dec 2002	NYP
VC6	Develop a customers’ charter for victims of violent crime.	March 2003	Victim Support
VC7	Support schools to develop procedures for recording and responding to bullying, in response to the recent pupil survey.	May 2002	CYC Education
VC8	Place additional buddy benches in schools.	March 2003	CYC Education

Longer term developments:

Key Activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
VC9	Use the research undertaken for VC2 to develop targeted prevention strategies.	March 2004	NYP
VC10	Review the effectiveness of bullying advice to schools, undertake a progress survey and revise the strategy accordingly.	March 2004	CYC Education
VC11	Investigate extra witness support to prevent intimidation.	March 2005	NYP

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: WORKING WITH OFFENDERS

Reasons for choice:

Offenders are not an homogenous group; each is a unique individual. Tackling long established patterns of offending is therefore difficult, but offers an important opportunity for long-term crime reduction.
Local people said that working with offenders was a key priority.

Key objectives:

To reduce re-offending by offenders under supervision.
To expand partnerships on specific issues relating to offending behaviours e.g. domestic violence.
To supervise offenders to Home Office and Youth Justice Board national standards and to enforce court orders rigorously.
To manage the risk of harm posed by potentially dangerous or persistent offenders.

Measures of success:

An increase in the numbers of offenders completing accredited Probation Service programmes (target 70 completions per annum).
A 5% reduction in re-offending by 10-17 year olds by 2005.
An increase in the number of referrals to Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (target 35 referrals per annum).
An improvement in meeting national standards target levels for the Probation Service (target 100% by March 2003).
An improvement in meeting national standards target levels for the YOT (target 100% by March 2004).
Full participation in the Probation Service and YOT Multi-agency Public Protection Panels (MAPPP) and application of risk management strategies as appropriate (target 100% compliance on high risk cases).
A 90% increase in the number of offenders aged 10-17 in education, training and employment by March 2004.
An increase in the use of restorative processes (target 70% of all YOT interventions by March 2004).

Short-term actions:

Key Activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
OF1	Make sure that offenders supervised by YOT and Probation are enrolled on programmes based on effective practice principles, addressing factors that place individuals at risk of re‑offending.	Ongoing	Probation YOT
OF2	Continue delivery of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders.	Ongoing	Probation
OF3	Consider the inclusion into the criminal justice process of compulsory counselling for domestic violence offenders.	March 2003	NSPCC
OF4	Continue to put into action the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme and other measures to reduce offending by persistent young offenders.	Ongoing	YOT
OF5	Put into practice strategies arising out of MAPPPs	March 2003	Probation
OF6	Apply Referral Orders, the new court sentence for first-time young offenders.	April 2002	YOT
OF7	Make sure that ASSET is completed in 100% of cases as prescribed by national standards.	March 2003	YOT
OF8	Achieve national target levels for performance for the Probation Service.	March 2003	Probation

Longer term developments:

Key Activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
OF9	Expand the voluntary take-up of support services by domestic violence offenders.	March 2005	NSPCC
OF10	Develop consultation procedures to discover the views of victims who have taken part in restorative justice programmes.	March 2004	YOT
OF11	Develop restorative conferencing in key YOT interventions.	March 2004	YOT
OF12	Create ways of involving local communities in shaping future YOT programmes.	Dec 2004	YOT

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: ENSURING DELIVERY

Reasons for choice:

In its last Business Plan, Safer York Partnership identified some priorities for its own development. Some of these were long-term commitments which need to be continued.
The Crime and Disorder Audit highlighted a number of areas in which we did not have enough information. Neither did we have the capacity to analyse and compare data sufficiently.
Safer York Partnership's existing structure predates the last Crime Reduction Strategy. The structure may not be the most suitable to deliver the new Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy.
Safer York Partnership needs to be better equipped to identify the impact of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy and to understand the reasons for changes in the levels of crime and disorder in York.

Key objectives:

To expand the resources available to tackle crime and disorder in the city.
To make sure that Safer York Partnership has a structure which facilitates genuine partnership-working, with the active involvement of all key partners and the local community.
To expand the amount of data and information available to Safer York Partnership for the purposes of crime reduction.
To improve the ways that we evaluate crime reduction activity.

Measures of success:

A fully operational information and analysis system with core data sets in place by May 2002.
A completed structure review with recommendations having been carried out in the agreed timescale.
A reporting framework for regular review of effectiveness to be put in place by June 2002.
Evidence of monitoring and evaluation improvements.
Detailed Action Plans in place for each agency, alongside the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy by June 2002.
Agreed specific ways to mainstream crime reduction issues in City of York Council by November 2002.

Short-term actions:

Key Activities for 2002 / 2003

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
P1	Set up all core data sets in the Safer York Partnership information and analysis system.	May 2002	SYP
P2	Carry out a structure review and put initial proposals into practice.	June 2002	SYP
P3	Develop detailed Action Plans for each key agency.	May 2002	All Lead Agencies
P4	Build performance management reporting into the information and analysis system.	May 2002	SYP
P5	Carry out work to mainstream community safety and address section 17 issues.	Nov 2002	CYC Chief Executives
P6	Increase representation and make clear the role of the Safer York Partnership staff team, in line with the outcome of the structure review.	Nov 2002	SYP
P7	Secure a wider funding base for core partnership activity.	March 2003	SYP
P8	Address strategic information gaps highlighted by the Crime and Disorder Audit.	March 2003	SYP

Longer term developments:

Key Activities for 2003 / 2005

Ref	Activity	To achieve by	Lead Agency
P9	Develop and expand the information and analysis system, and build its effective use.	March 2004	SYP
P10	Strengthen mainstreaming of community safety and section 17 issues.	March 2004	CYC Chief Executives

Map of City of York

Showing Ward boundaries

Area Profile of City of York

York covers 27,200 hectares and has a current population of 179,305 persons (2000 Mid Year Estimate, National Statistics). 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, which is a two-tier authority. Many other service providers operate on the county level basis.

Most of the population lives within the urban area of York but large numbers also live in the surrounding villages. The main settlements outside York are Haxby, Wigginton, Strensall, Copmanthorpe, Bishopthorpe, and Upper and Nether Poppleton.

Demographics

The current population structure is illustrated in the table below.

Population Structure (2000)

Age Groups	Males	Females	Total	% in each age group
Under 5s	4,833	4,546	9,379	5.2%
5-14	11,019	10,392	21,411	11.9%
15-19	6,204	5,764	11,968	6.7%
20-24	5,489	5,972	11,461	6.4%
25-34	13,565	11,692	25,257	14.1%
35-59/64	34,466	30,264	64,730	36.1%
60/65-74	7,142	13,210	20,352	11.4%
75+	5,326	9,421	14,747	8.2%
Total	88,044	91,261	179,305	100.0%

The population of York is increasing, with projections suggesting 196,200 by mid 2021. The most significant increases will be in the older age groups with an extra 36% of people aged 45 or over.

Economy

York’s economy provides a strong base of skilled and professional jobs. This fact, together with the below average wage rates, make the workforce attractive to prospective employers. The city’s skills profile is unlike most of the north of England: the high manual and management skills of York people are similar to the south west and south east regions.

A growing proportion of the workforce is women and there is a trend away from full-time towards part-time employment.
There is a 2.8% unemployment rate, with 1.9% registered unemployed claimants (September 2001).
Claimant unemployment varies between areas in the city, some having particularly high rates. The city average is 1.9% and the national average is 3.1%. Areas above the city average are Clifton 4.0%, Guildhall 4.0%, Westfield 3.8% and Bootham 3.7%.
The percentage of people in York claiming income support is much lower than the UK average (4.9% compared with 6.6%). However, within York there are certain wards that are above the national average: Guildhall (10.5%), Bootham (8.6%), Walmgate (7.5%), Bishophill (7.2%) and Clifton (7.2%).
The percentage of people claiming both Job Seekers Allowance and Family Credit in York is similar to the UK average.

Education

Currently there are 59 primary schools and 11 secondary schools in York, having 11840 and 9121 pupils respectively.
In 2001 an average of 12% of pupils in primary schools and 8.9% in secondary schools were eligible for free meals.
In 2001 20% of primary school children and 17% of pupils at secondary schools were recorded as having special needs.
The number of permanent exclusions from schools has fallen steadily from 40 in 1997/1998, 37 in 1998/1999, 17 in 1999/2000 to 14 in 2000/2001.
York schools consistently perform above national averages (2001 figures):
- Key Stage 2 English Test 78.6%, compared to 75% national
- Key Stage 2 Maths Test 74.8%, compared to 71% national
- Average GCSE/GNVQ points score per pupil 40.9, compared to 39.1
- Average A Level points score per pupil 20.2, compared to 17.8 national

York has several further and higher educational establishments, which provide for nearly 30,000 full and part-time students in the City. These are: University of York, The College of York St John (a college of the University of Leeds), York College, Askham Bryan College, and The College of Law.

Housing

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

Over three quarters of York’s population (72.7%) lived in owner-occupied accommodation, compared to 67.6% nationally (1991 Census)
Just under 15% of York’s residents live in local authority housing. This is lower than the national figure of just less than 20% (1991 Census)
Homelessness increased substantially during 2000/2001 with 499 people accepted as homeless under the Housing Act 1996, compared with 283 in 1999/2000.

Tourism in York

Four million visitors a year.
In the region of £250m spent in York each year.
Around 8,500 jobs in York created by tourism.

Glossary

ABC	Acceptable Behaviour Contract – an agreement by those responsible for anti-social behaviour to comply with set standards of behaviour.
ACPO	Association of Chief Police Officers
ASBO	Anti-Social Behaviour Order
ASSET	An assessment tool used by the Youth Offending Team to identify the needs of young offenders.
BVPI	Best Value Performance Indicator – a measure of performance of a public sector organisation.
CCTV	Closed Circuit Television - cameras recording events at various locations in order to reduce crime and also assist traffic management
Connexions	A new guidance and support service for 13-19 year olds.
CRISS	A pupil support scheme based at Lowfield school
CYC	City of York Council
CYNWA	City of York Neighbourhood Watch Association
DARG	Drug and Alcohol Reference Group
DAT	Drug Action Team
Drug Treatment and Testing Orders	A community sentence, aimed at tackling drug misuse, given to individuals whose drug misuse is linked to their offending.
Level Two	A stage in the NYP Domestic Violence Strategy, which offers graded responses to domestic violence incidents (3 is highest)
Mainstream	A process linked to section 17
Multi-agency Public Protection Panels	Groups involving key agencies, which meet to formulate risk management plans for individual offenders.
Nipper	NYP scheme to identify and refer on, to appropriate support, young people at risk of offending.
NYFRS	North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
NYP	North Yorkshire Police
Persistent Young Offender	A 10-17 year old sentenced in court on 3 or more occasions within a 3-year period.
Police Reprimand and Final Warning	Part of a final warning system for young offenders, providing a progressive response to offending by young people.
Restorative Justice	An approach to work with victims and offenders aimed at helping offenders understand the consequences of their crime and make reparation for the harm caused.
RHPG	Racial Harassment Policy Group
Section 17	Section of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which requires all local authorities, including police authorities, to consider crime and disorder reduction while exercising all their duties.
Secured by Design Award	An award for developments which are built to guidelines to reduce the opportunity for crime.
Secured Car Parks	A one-year certificate for car parks with effective measures to create a safe and secure environment.
Street / Community Wardens	Trained workers, whose role is to patrol a community area and to report or respond to safety issues.
SYP	Safer York Partnership
Talk About	A panel of 1,200 residents randomly selected and balanced to be broadly representative of local people, who complete at least three postal surveys per year on a wide range of topical issues.
YOT	Youth Offending Team

What you can do to help!

Crime, disorder, drug and alcohol misuse affect everybody in our community.

Report incidents of crime and disorder to the police on 01904-631321.
Use Crimestoppers 0800-555111, if you prefer, to report any crime you witness.
Don’t tolerate crime.
Secure your own property, both when you are in and out of your home.
Use secure car parks and don’t leave valuables in your car.
If you are a victim of crime, such as violence or harassment, get in touch with support services even if you don’t wish to report the crime to the police.
Seek advice immediately if you suspect a member of the family is taking drugs or has an alcohol problem.
Inform City of York Council if you find discarded needles, contact 01904 636000.
Find out about drugs if you are a parent so you can help your children keep off drugs and alcohol.
Become involved in your local community.
Join or develop a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area, contact 01904 554616.
Encourage young people to get involved in activities in their local area and support those running these activities.
Get to know the young people and families in your area.
Support victims in your community and help them to access services.

Key Contacts

Please feel free to contact the organisations below to find out more about their contribution to crime reduction activity in York.

Safer York Partnership
01904-554567

North Yorkshire Police - Community Safety Unit
01904-554615

City of York Council - Strategic Policy Unit
01904-613161

Drug Action Team
01347-823084

Youth Offending Team
01904-554565

North Yorkshire Probation Area
01904-526000

Other useful contacts if you are a victim of crime or if you wish to get involved in local crime reduction activity.

Age Concern York
01904-627995
for advice and support for older people on community safety issues

City of York Council
01904-613161
for information on ward committees

City of York Neighbourhood Watch Association
01904-554616
for information on how to join or set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme

Compass Drugs Resource Scheme
01904-647474
for advice, information and counselling on drug misuse

Crimestoppers
0800-555111

MESMAC
01904-620400
for advice and support in cases of homophobic crime

NSPCC Domestic Violence Prevention Project
01904-430455
for support for anyone experiencing or involved in domestic violence

North Yorkshire Police - Call Centre
01904-631321
(24 hour) to report suspicious activity or information about a crime

North Yorkshire Police - Incident Management Unit
01904-669389
(8am – 6pm) for other queries

Rape Crisis
01904-425353
Thursdays 7pm – 10pm (answerphone at other times)

Victim Support York and Selby
01904-636905

Women's Aid
01904-646630
for advice and support for women experiencing domestic violence

Witness Support Service - Magistrates Court
01904-637778

Witness Support Service - Crown Court
01904-655497

York Alcohol Advisory Service
01904-652104
for advice, information and counselling on alcohol misuse

York Racial Equality Network
01904-642600
for advice and support in cases of racial crime

Safer York Partnership would like to thank all those who have contributed to this work, by providing data for analysis, views and feedback on matters of concern, or by assisting in the actual production of this document.

It is genuinely the product of many, with contributions having been received from various partners and representatives of the local community.

Safer York Partnership

Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy

April 2002 Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy

Introduction

Overview of Safer York Partnership

Summary of the Crime and Disorder Audit findings

Offenders

Victims

Domestic burglary

Vehicle crime

Youth crime and disorder

Crime based on prejudice

Violent crime

Fear of crime

Drug and alcohol related crime

Traffic offences and road safety

Retail and business crime

Costs of crime and disorder

Summary of consultation findings

Strategic priorities

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND DISORDER

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer-term developments:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer term developments:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer term developments:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: HIGH VOLUME CRIME

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer term developments:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: PREVENTION OF YOUTH OFFENDING

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer-term developments:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: VIOLENT CRIME AND HARASSMENT

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer term developments:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: WORKING WITH OFFENDERS

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer term developments:

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: ENSURING DELIVERY

Reasons for choice:

Key objectives:

Measures of success:

Short-term actions:

Longer term developments:

Map of City of York

Area Profile of City of York

Demographics

Population Structure (2000)

Economy

Education

Housing

Tourism in York

Glossary

What you can do to help!

Key Contacts

April 2002
Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy