Safer Ryedale have Crime Prevention Menus available giving advice about how to keep your home safe over the Christmas period.

The advice come at the time of year when people have valuable Christmas gifts stored in their homes and temptation increases for burglars.  There are lots of things people can do to help prevent crimes and also to identify their property when it is recovered:-

• Always secure and lock your doors and windows, even if you are just popping out or when you are in the back garden.
• Close all curtains when its dark.
• Make sure your security lights are in working order and put internal lamps on timer switches to come on when dark if you are away.
• Always use your burglar alarm – if you don’t have an alarm, invest in one.
• Don’t leave your keys in the door at any time.
• Secure garages and sheds – they are often full of expensive tools that are ideal to use for breaking into the rest of the house.
• Don’t leave Christmas presents under the tree in full view of burglars who may be peering through windows – keep them in a secure place until the big day.
• Don’t put your empty boxes from Christmas presents (or any new purchases) out until your recycling collection day and make sure you break up the boxes and secure them together – the boxes and wrappings provide burglars with just the information they are looking for to see what new gadgets and items await them inside.
• Postcode your goods with a permanent marker or ultra-violet marker pen depending on the type of object being marked – this will make it harder for a thief to sell the items and easier for the police to identify the true owner if they are recovered.

Inspector Tim Hutchinson said “ This is good advice that will help people ensure crime doesn’t spoil their Christmas.  Please act on it and don’t make a present of your property to a thief!”

Safer Ryedale have funded the purchase of purse bellsthat are been given to the elderly and vulnerable to reduce purse thefts.  Sight Support requested the help of Safer Ryedale to purchase purse bells for their service users, purse safety is important for them. Sight Support Ryedale is an independent registered charity which caters for anyone in Ryedale who has a serious sight problem.

 People will be able to attach a pair of small bells to the zip of their purse, if anyone tries to grab the purse the owner and people nearby are immediately alerted by the noise.

 Sandi Clark, Crime & Disorder Officer said “We are advising shoppers to take extra care of their belongings whilst they are out and about. Be extra vigilant of people around you and be aware of where your belongings are should anyone try to distract you. Never leave your handbag unattended, or in a shopping trolley and always securely fasten your handbag, with the opening zip or flap next to your body.”

 Inspector Tim Hutchinson said “The purse bells are designed to be a deterrent to thieves and we want to make them available to as many elderly, disabled an vulnerable residents as possible”.

 The purse bells are available for elderly disabled and vulnerable Ryedale residents who request them at Police Stations, Ryedale District Council, please contact Gail Cook, Tel: 01653 600666 Ext: 314 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CO-ORDINATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD, SPONSORED BY SAFER RYEDALE

‘For the Co-ordinator who goes the extra mile, to help and support their community.’

Pictured: Chris Miles, NHW Co-ordinator Sherburn and Sue Cross, Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police

Chris Miles from Sherburn scooped the award after being described as always enthusiastic and willing to be involved in any matters which benefit the community of Sherburn.

The award, presented by Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police Sue Cross at the Neighbourhood Watch Annual General meeting on Thursday 2^nd December held at Ryedale House recognises the important part Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators play in helping to keep Ryedale one of the safest places to live and work.

Chris is a self-employed window cleaner, everyone knows him and can talk to him with ease. He is the Co-ordinator for the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Sherburn and works closely with PCSO’s. Chris has worked together with PCSO’s to develop “Cocoon watch”, a scheme to keep an eye on the elderly people in the village when the weather conditions are bad and they can’t get out. He also instigated the Nominated Neighbour Scheme in his area.

In addition to these duties he is involved with Sherburn School and is helping to set up a Junior Parish Council and possible follow with a Junior Neighbourhood Watch.

Steve Law, Lead Co-ordinator commented that “It is accepted that crime levels reduce when there is an active scheme in place and the fear of crime improves when people know what is going on in their area and how to seek help and support.”

Inspector Tim Hutchinson said” I am delighted that Chris’ work has been rewarded by the Coordinator of The Year Award. It’s because of people like him working with your local police that we can keep Ryedale as safe as we can”

Nearly 500 Ryedale residents completed a recent questionnaire about the issues concerning them most in their neighbourhood.   The results showed that 96% of people felt that the crime level in Ryedale was low or fairly low compared with national crime levels, with a massive 98% feeling Ryedale was a safe place to live.

 Inconsiderate parking and litter were the two main complaints with 22% and 20% of respondents saying this was an issue for them, followed by 16% concerned about speeding motorists.

 There is a big drop in concerns regarding dog fouling, which highlights the work done to crackdown on people who allow their dogs to foul the footpaths of Ryedale. Police Community Support Officers and Council Officers will now issue fixed penalty notices to anyone not picking up after their dog and provide advice on ensuring they are prepared in the future. A Pickering man has received the first £50 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for failing to remove dog faeces in July this year.   83% of residents think they are well informed by local Police and the District Council about what is being done to tackle issues.

 Inspector Tim Hutchinson, Head of Ryedale Police, commented, “This feedback from the public is extremely important to us as it points out the areas that make the biggest difference to how safe people feel. The survey results show that Ryedale people appreciate the wonderful area they live in, feel their concerns are being listened to and they are kept informed about what action is being taken to deal with them. To date there are 100 less crimes this year than the same time last year. This reflects the huge amount of work that the councils, police and the communities put into keeping Ryedale safe. ”

 Gary Housden, Chair of the Safer Ryedale Delivery Team said, “These are excellent results, we will continue to work closely with our partners to improve the local area.