Fears over Bonfire Night crime after crackdown in Hull
FORCE IS NOW GEARING UP FOR A RISE IN FIRES AND FIREWORK USE
HUMBERSIDE Police are preparing for a rise in fire-related crimes as organised Bonfire Night events are cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
During Hull City Council’s recent East Area Committee, Humberside Police Inspector Mark Peasgood told councillors the force was gearing up for rises in fires and letting off fireworks ahead of Bonfire Night due to cancellations of public events because of coronavirus.
Inspector Peasgood said: “Fires are causing a significant issue across the city, we’ve started a communications campaign to reduce them and increase reporting ahead of Bonfire Night.
“Having no public bonfire displays will create a significant demand on us and on other services.
“I’ve sent out emails to residents requesting that they tell us about areas of concern for dangerous motorbike driving and disorder through our My Community Alert system.
“We’re only as good as the information we get, no matter how small the issue is people need to tell us.”
The committee discussed a drop in crime levels over the past 12 months in east Hull, including at Western Gailes Park off Saltshouse Road, after officers stepped up patrols at the end of August following reports of antisocial behaviour and drug taking.
The inspector said two incidents had been logged since, one related to motorbike riding and another in connection with drug taking in the park’s bushes, and a fall in crime overall in Ings, Longhill and Bilton Grange and Sutton, the wards which make up the East Area, was “really good news”.
But the inspector added certain offences including burglaries had increased while areas with antisocial behaviour and dangerous motorbike driving were proving “challenging”.
He said: “Our patrols of Western Gailes Park will continue until reports reduce.
“But we are seeing reductions in crime across the three wards overall, that’s really good news”.
Crime fell by 10.3 per cent overall in Ings Ward year on year, with drops recorded in criminal damage, shop and vehicle thefts and sexual offences.
Burglary rose 4.5 per cent year on year while the number of stolen vehicles stood at 16 by the end of August, compared to 11 in 2019.
The inspector said the force had prioritised patrols in Valiant Drive following reports of antisocial behaviour outside local shops which had created a “very challenging” situation for officers.
There were 230 fewer offences in Longhill and Bilton Grange, with levels of criminal damage, theft and violence against persons all down compared to last year.
Antisocial behaviour was up by ten per cent, while vehicle thefts were up 35 per cent.
Crime in Sutton fell by 17 per cent year on year, with reductions recorded in criminal damage, sexual offences and thefts.
Antisocial behaviour alone fell by 30 per cent.
The inspector said officers had also targeted the disused railway line in Sutton following reports of dangerous motorbike driving.
He added the force was working with the Environment Agency to use flood barriers and other features to block off motorbikes.
Speaking after the meeting, the area’s Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Phil Hinch said: “We have seen a fall in reported incidents of antisocial behaviour in Western Gailes Park since patrols were increased at the end of August.
“We know that this can and does have a big impact on people using the park and those who live and work nearby, so it’s important to us to ensure that we do all we can to prevent this kind of behaviour.
“It’s great to see that we are now getting so few reports of incidents in this area.
“However, I want to appeal to anyone who does have concerns to get in touch with us, so that we can continue to target our patrols when they will make the biggest difference.”