Policing in North Yorkshire was boosted by over 700 extra hours of patrol time this weekend as 130 volunteer police officers took to the streets as part of a national event to highlight the work of Special Constables.
The national Special Constabulary Weekend took place between 11 and 13 February.
Officers got to grips with numerous operations across the county including drugs, licensing and speeding in York and Selby. Anti-social behaviour in Hambleton Whitby, Scarborough and Harrogate. Rural crime in Richmondshire, Hambleton and Whitby.
Operation Highwayman, the force’s drive to crack down on travelling criminals received a boost in the Harrogate district along with Operation Umbridge an ongoing campaign targeting theft from vehicles in Harrogate.
Chief Inspector Richard Anderson who has responsibility for North Yorkshire’s Special Constabulary said: “The weekend was a great success and made a significant contribution to policing the county. It has given us the opportunity to recognise and highlight how Special Constables work alongside their regular colleagues on a daily basis.
“The officers are to be commended for their dedication and commitment and their invaluable contribution to our communities.”
ACPO lead for the special constabulary, Chief Constable Peter Fahy, said:
“The special constabulary has a long history of providing assistance to police forces across the country and continues to make a tangible contribution to keeping the public safe. All of us in society have a duty to come to the aid of others but special constables regularly volunteer themselves to keep people safe.
“Working in the special constabulary provides volunteers with a unique set of experiences and I would encourage anyone wishes to make a difference in their community to consider applying to become a special constable.”
York and Selby
62 Special Constables were on duty over the weekend in York and Selby, providing over 300 hours of additional patrol time.
They were joined by a passive drugs detection dog on Friday night to target drug users in York’s pubs and clubs. Officers also visited 18 licensed premises to carry out licensing checks where they engaged with door staff and managers to ensure licensing conditions were complied with and to discuss any concerns staff may have.
Speed and vehicle safety checks were carried out across the York and Selby district targeting areas where local people had concerns about speeding or where figures show speed to be a factor in collisions.
99 vehicles were stopped
17 motorists were issued with speeding tickets
Another 18 drivers opted for a speed awareness course.
19 vehicle defect notices were issued
7 motorists were given verbal advice
Special Constables joined their regular colleagues in Selby town centre to carry out night time reassurance patrols.
Harrogate and Richmond
44 Special Constables were on duty in the Harrogate and Craven area and provided 322 extra hours of patrol.
Operation Highwayman, the force’s ongoing operation targeting travelling criminals, was given a significant boost with Harrogate specials joining their regular colleagues over the entire weekend.
The mobile police office was deployed in the Bilton area in response to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area. Many local people called in for a chat with the officers.
Specials also took part in Operation Umbridge an ongoing campaign to reduce the number of thefts from vehicles in the Harrogate area.
Richmond
Officers took part in the force’s Borderwatch scheme targeting rural crime and cross-border criminals in the Richmondshire area.
Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough
14 Special Constables provided 143 hours of extra patrols across the districts.
Offices worked on a rural crime initiative in the Hambleton and Whitby area, stopping 40 vehicles over the course of the weekend.
Officers also carried out high-visibility patrols targeting anti-social behaviour in Whitby, Eastfield (Scarborough), Thirsk and Northallerton. They also supported road policing units in the Scarborough area.
