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.

 Over the last few weeks officers from Scarborough and Ryedale Road Safety Group have been operating in the area gathering data on whether road users in the borough are wearing seatbelts.  Local schools and colleges are being targeted due to concerns raised about children being unrestrained on the school run. Unfortunately, in some instances these concerns are being found to be valid.

 The results are disappointing considering the amount of national and local education there has been on the dangers of not strapping yourself and your passengers in.   At each location the initial survey will be followed up by Police enforcement in the area and fines will issued where people are seen to be flouting the seatbelts laws.

 The law states children under 3 years of age MUST travel in the correct child seat, between 3 years and 12 years or up to 135cm in height the correct child seat or booster seat with a seatbelt MUST be used. (In the rear of taxis or where the number of child restraints prevents another being fitted, a seatbelt MUST be used). From 12 years or over 135cm in height seat belts MUST be worn.

 The driver is legally responsible for ensuring the correct restraint is worn unless the passenger is aged 14 years and above and then they become responsible for themselves.

If you are convicted of failing to wear a seat belt as a driver or passenger, you could face a fine of up to £500; however the most serious penalty of all could be that you or a passenger loses their life.