Successful crime reduction scheme has 'day of action'

Operation Birch was launched at the beginning of summer 2011 in the Selby district of North Yorkshire. It's aim was to help reduce offending and the fear of crime in the area. The scheme has proved successful and has continued to grow, culminating in a 'day of action' on 26 January 2012.

Police officers and partner agencies were out in force for 'Operation Birch' to deter travelling criminals, clampdown on motoring offences and offer crime prevention advice to residents.

In addition:

• Court warrant officers made three home visits to apprehend people who had failed to pay court fines.
• Police patrolled the A1246 at Fairburn in response to concerns raised at public meetings about vehicles exceeding weight limits on the road. Several drivers were fined for breaching the legal requirement.
• Local officers were supported by colleagues from the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) team in stopping vehicles on the A1246 and the A162 to check that they were properly insured and had no mechanical defects.
• Officers were also joined by Environment Agency officials who stopped vehicles carrying scrap metal to check they had the correct licences.
• Trading standards officials also joined officers on patrol checking licensed premises after residents raised concerns about underage drinking. They visited seven shops and six pubs offering advice about selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors, including proxy sales, fake id, pub signage, paperwork and where to seek help and advice.
• The Selby Community Payback scheme carried out cleaning work at Selby Lock and the local council joined officers in Brotherton to seek out graffiti and any other criminal damage that needs addressing.
• The local Safer Neighbourhood Team were also on hand offering crime prevention advice and security marking property.
• Officers from the fire service visited residents to carry out home safety surveys to offer advice on keeping homes safe from fire risks.

Sergeant Lesley Holliday, of Selby Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Overall the day was a great success thanks to all the hard work and planning put in.

For further details from the North Yorkshire Police Website, click here.

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