AREA COMMITTEE NPT UPDATE – CRAVEN

CRAVEN NEIGHBOURHOOD INSPECTORS REPORT,

INSPECTOR PAUL CRABTREE

North Yorkshire Police is committed to providing an outstanding service to the public of York and North Yorkshire, to keep them safe and feeling safe. As part of that commitment, we will continue to have a strong presence in our neighbourhood and community to help us understand and be responsive to their needs and to build trust and confidence.

As the Inspector for the Craven Neighbourhood Policing Team, I have been committed to delivering the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and have worked extensively on developing this within the area.

The uplift of numbers has been progressing throughout that last year, and we are now in a very good position with Police Officer numbers. I am now awaiting the posting of my final new officer and so will have the full contingent of nine Police Officers by the end of June. PCSO uplift has not been as successful as the last recruitment drive failed to attract anyone who lived in a suitable location to be posted to Craven; therefore, I remain under numbers in this area. I am hopeful that this will be rectified with the ongoing recruitment campaign.

Craven also benefits from a unique set of people in the Public Safety Officers. Changes to this service have occurred this year and we have appointed 2 new officers and created a ‘Lead PSO’ to help future proof and develop the roles. We now have PSOs appointed to Bentham, Cross Hills, Grassington and a Lead based in Skipton. I have included a separate section on this unique role at the end of the document, written by the Lead PSO, Alice Michelmore-Brown.

My management structure has changed, and I now have two Sergeants- Sgt Sohail Tariq- responsible for the Skipton town areas, and Sgt Daniel Price for Craven Rural. Both are experienced, knowledgeable, and committed to making Craven a safer place. The Lead PSO, Alice Michelmore-Brown frequently co-locates with them and this, in conjunction with the Community Safety Hub enables joined up partnership working to safeguard the vulnerable, reduce anti-social behaviour and bring criminals to justice.

ANNUAL SUMMARY

The following pages provide an overview of policing activity, crime trends, and partnership work undertaken by the Skipton Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) over the past 12 months. It highlights key priorities, operational activity, and emerging issues to support continued engagement with Skipton Town Council and partner agencies.

Policing demand continues to reflect:

• Town centre retail and visitor activity
• Licensed premises and alcohol-related demand
• Localised anti-social behaviour hotspots
• Rural crime linked to surrounding areas

Overall Crime

A summary of our crime figures for the previous two years has shown an overall decrease. It simplest terms, our overall number of recorded crimes has fallen from 2190 to 2035- a 7% reduction from 1 May 2025 to 1 May 2026.

The individual crime types are as follows-

CRIME TYPE	24/25	25/26	% CHANGE	NOTES
Arson/Damage	219	190	-13.2
Burglary	197	136	-31
Drugs Offences	52	52	-
Fraud	74	42	-43.2
Misc. Offences	48	52	+8.3
Possess Weapons	27	20	-25.9
Public Order	156	151	-3.2
Robbery	4	7	+75	See note on reclassification
Sexual Offences	87	93	+6.9
Theft	373	331	-11.3
Vehicle Crime	116	89	-23.3
Violence against The Person	837	872	+4.2

NOTE- Under updated Home Office Counting Rules, incidents where a suspect uses or threatens violence against staff (often just to escape with stolen goods) are now classified as "business robbery" rather than separate shop theft and assault crimes. This reclassification accurately reflects the physical risks retail workers face during thefts- but explains the 75% increase in Robbery Offences. In actual fact- robbery of a personal nature has increased by 1.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

• ASB remains a consistent priority, with youth-related disorder and repeat-location issues forming the majority of reports.
• Targeted problem-solving approaches have reduced impact in key hotspot areas, although displacement remains a challenge, the Problem-Solving Plan for Skipton Bus Station is a key example of this.

Violence and Public Safety

• The violence numbers seem very high, but it should be noted this includes death on the roads where there is a culpable party, stalking, harassment, child cruelty and assaults without injury.
• Continued engagement with licensed premises has supported improved management and early intervention of alcohol related violence.

Theft and Retail Crime

• Shoplifting continues to affect local businesses, driven by a small number of prolific offenders who have been targeted and had positive outcomes.
• Proactive enforcement and partnership work have disrupted repeat offending.

Rural Crime

• There has been a continuing trend in cross-border rural criminality, particularly involving quad bike and plant thefts, often linked to organised groups operating across force boundaries. The reduction in recorded burglaries Is pleasing and reflects the work of not only local Officers in Craven, but the wider North Yorkshire specialist resources and the cross-border work done with West Yorkshire and Lancashire Police.

Key Priorities

Over the past year, the NPT has focused on:

1. Reducing anti-social behaviour and repeat harm
2. Tackling retail crime and supporting local businesses
3. Maintaining safety within the night-time economy
4. Addressing emerging rural crime threats
5. Improving community engagement and reassurance

Key Actions

Targeted Enforcement

Significant work was undertaken in relation to convenience shops, some of which were linked to persistent ASB and licensing offences.

• A combination of:
• • Closure Notice and subsequent enforcement action
  • Premises licence review
  • Partnership engagement
• This resulted in a marked reduction in associated ASB and improved community confidence in the immediate area.

Problem Solving – Skipton Bus Station

• A structured problem-solving plan was implemented to address ongoing ASB at the bus station.
• Issues included youth disorder, harassment, and nuisance behaviour.
• Actions included:
• • Increased high visibility patrols.
  • Engagement with young people and schools
  • Partnership work with transport providers and local authority
  • Use of ASB legislation where appropriate
• This has led to measurable reductions in reported incidents and improved perceptions of safety.

Retail Crime and Offender Management

• Continued focus on repeat and prolific offenders, utilising:
• • Criminal Behaviour Orders (where applicable)
  • Intelligence-led operations
  • Close working with retailers
• Improved reporting and communication channels with businesses have strengthened outcomes.

Night-Time Economy

• Regular patrol plans targeting weekends and peak periods.
• Close working with licensing authorities and premises staff
• Early intervention and visible policing contributing to reduced escalation of incident.

Emerging Issues – Yorkshire Dales Parking and Traffic ASB

• An emerging trend has been identified relating to anti-social parking and traffic-related issues within the Yorkshire Dales, including:
• • Inconsiderate parking impacting residents and emergency access
  • Congestion at key tourist sites
  • Unsafe or obstructive vehicle use
• Activity has included:
• • Joint working with local authority and highways
  • Targeted enforcement and advisory engagement
  • Education of visitors where appropriate
• This remains an area of growing demand, particularly during peak tourism periods. The Public Safety Officers are heavily invested in this area.

Community Engagement

• Attendance at community meetings and forums
• School engagement and youth intervention work
• Use of social media to provide updates and reassurance

Priorities for the Coming Year

The NPT will focus on:

• Sustained reduction of ASB through problem-solving approaches
• Continued management of repeat offenders
• Supporting businesses in tackling shoplifting
• Strengthening rural crime prevention and enforcement
• Addressing parking and traffic-related ASB in rural/tourist areas
• Maintaining strong partnership and community engagement

Conclusion

Skipton remains a safe and thriving community, and the NPT is committed to working with partners to address emerging challenges, reduce crime, and maintain public confidence. The proactive and partnership-led approach over the past year has delivered tangible improvements, which will be built upon with a larger and more specialised team.

REPORT ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS- L/PSO ALICE MICHELMORE-BROWN

The Public Safety Service was established in April 2020 as a pilot initiative aimed at preventing vulnerability, reducing harm, and enhancing the safety and resilience of communities. Introduced by the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, the programme initially operated on a small scale within the Craven district with the intention of expanding further, subject to its success. The service focused on delivering crime prevention, fire safety, and health and wellbeing information within local communities, while also supporting effective community problem-solving. In 2024, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, together with the Chief Fire Officer for North Yorkshire and the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, formally approved the transition of the Craven Public Safety Service from a pilot scheme to a permanent provision.

Since its establishment as a permanent service within North Yorkshire, the Public Safety Service has continued to demonstrate progress and development. Over the past 12 months, the team has expanded with the recruitment of two additional Public Safety Officers (PSOs), alongside the introduction of a Lead PSO role to provide dedicated line management and support to the growing team.

As part of recent recruitment and development initiatives, a decision was made for a newly appointed PSO to undertake the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) initial training course. This approach was intended to strengthen their understanding of policing practices and enhance partnership working. The experience has proven highly beneficial for both the attending officer and their line managers, providing valuable insight into operational policing. The PSO is scheduled to attend their passing-out parade in the coming weeks.

Public Safety Officers (PSOs) are strategically based across predominantly rural locations within the Craven district. Working in alignment with Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the Community Safety Hub, PSOs provide a visible and accessible point of contact for rural and isolated communities, where a consistent emergency service presence has traditionally been limited.

This role is particularly valuable in responding to incidents in remote areas focusing on those who are most vulnerable. For example, a PSO attended a medical emergency where the location was difficult to identify based on the address provided. The individual involved had significant mobility issues and breathing difficulties, which contributed to heightened anxiety regarding access to emergency services. In response, the PSO implemented a practical solution by creating and laminating clear signage for display at the property’s main entrance to improve visibility and identification. Furthermore, the PSO liaised with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) Knowledge Management Team to provide comprehensive location details, including the full address, what3words reference, grid coordinates, and guidance on the most suitable access and parking points. This information was subsequently recorded to ensure it is available to all YAS Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), improving response times and accessibility for future incidents.

The presence of PSOs in rural areas also contributes to the prevention and deterrence of crime. During a late shift in the Upper Wharfedale area, a PSO identified and reported suspicious vehicles, with their visible presence in a marked vehicle acting as a deterrent to potential criminal activity. Through strong local knowledge, established relationships with Rural Watch schemes, and effective use of policing intelligence, PSOs can work proactively to ensure resources are directed to areas of greatest community need. Being visible in a rural location, PSOs can act as a deterrence to rural crime. This was the case when the PSO working a late shift in the Upper Wharfedale area was able to report suspicious vehicles and in a marked PSO vehicle deter any potential crime when in the area. This is working alongside North Yorkshire Police and their Op Quarter campaign to reduce rural crime. With the local knowledge and contacts within rural watch and with policing intelligence, they could work together to make sure they were best placed for where the community needed them most.

The Public Safety Service maintains close and effective working relationships with local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the Community Safety Hub (CSH). PSOs attend daily briefings, enabling the timely sharing of relevant information to support coordinated responses and improve outcomes for the wider community. In addition, the Lead PSO participates in regular Multi-Agency Partnership (MAP) meetings, ensuring the service remains fully integrated within multi-agency safeguarding and problem-solving arrangements. The PSO team also plays an active role in addressing low-level anti-social behaviour (ASB). For example, through collaboration with fire service colleagues, the team was made aware of an incident involving a small fire at an abandoned building, believed to have been started by local young people. In response, and in line with the Community Safety Hub ASB framework, the PSO team worked collaboratively to implement appropriate early intervention measures. This approach enabled proportionate engagement with the individuals involved, with a focus on education, prevention, and reducing the likelihood of repeat behaviour.

Over the next six to twelve months, the Public Safety Service intends to expand its coverage across a wider area of the Craven district. This includes the continued development of existing staff, with one officer currently completing the full Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) training programme prior to becoming embedded within the Bentham and North Craven communities.

In addition, the Service has recently undertaken a successful recruitment process to appoint a new Public Safety Officer to cover the South Craven area, further strengthening its capacity and reach.

The Service is also leading on the delivery of proactive, preventative measures through a targeted problem-solving plan aimed at reducing incidents within the Wharfedale area. This location is recognised as a seasonal hotspot, particularly during the summer months, for water safety risks, anti-social behaviour, parking-related issues, and wildfires. This work is being delivered in collaboration with key partner agencies and local communities, ensuring a coordinated and preventative approach to addressing identified risks and improving overall public safety outcomes.

The Public Safety Service is also seeking to strengthen its presence within the health and ambulance sector, with the aim of developing more effective and integrated partnership working. As a preventative service, it is well positioned to support key healthcare challenges, particularly in relation to mental health and the management of falls risk within older populations. Through its tri-service approach, the Public Safety Service can deliver a coordinated response that reduces demand on individual services while improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals. By addressing multiple needs within a single visit, the Service helps to minimise the requirement for separate appointments and interventions, thereby reducing pressure on emergency services and limiting disruption for those in vulnerable circumstances. This integrated model enables a more holistic approach to care, reducing stress and improving overall experiences for individuals during periods of need.

With a growing team and increasing presence, the Public Safety Service continues to demonstrate its value in supporting communities across Craven through its preventative tri-service approach. The Service plays a key role in reducing demand on emergency and partner agencies by prioritising early intervention and preventative activity, particularly within rural and hard-to-reach locations. Public Safety Officers (PSOs) can dedicate time to individuals, offering both local knowledge and specialist expertise to effectively support a wide range of needs. This approach enables more personalised engagement and supports improved outcomes for vulnerable individuals.

Given that North Yorkshire is a predominantly rural county, there is clear potential to expand this model further. Increasing the number of PSOs across additional areas would enhance capacity to work alongside Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Community Safety Hubs, ensuring that the most vulnerable communities receive timely, proactive, and coordinated support.