Engagement Quarterly Blog – April 2024
This entry will update you on the community engagement work my team and I have participated in over January – April 2024.
During this period there have been a variety of engagement activities taking place, so I wanted to highlight these moments which continue to be fantastic opportunities to be out meeting North Yorkshire and City of York communities.
North Yorkshire & York Supermarket Drop in Engagement Mornings January and March 2024.
My team have continued with Supermarket Engagement Mornings over the last couple of months, and it continues to be an excellent way to meet and speak to so many members of the public across the entire county hearing about the issues and concerns they have around our police and fire services. Thank you to everyone who popped along and chatted in Selby and Whitby.
Once again, I would like to extend a massive thanks to the kind staff of Co-op, and Morrisons for allowing my team to continue visiting and using their stores for drop in mornings.
January 2024
15 January Mencap Northallerton Visit
I was delighted to be invited to join Mencap Northallerton & the Dales group for their lunchtime meeting.
I sat down with the group and discussed my role as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, answered all their questions about the local police and fire services, and informed them on the new Chief Constable who will be joining North Yorkshire Police.
A special thank you to Sue and everyone at Mencap for a lovely afternoon.
24 January Retail Crime Meeting Co-op Clarence Street, York
I visited the staff at the Co-op located on Clarence Street in York to hear directly from the store employees their concerns around dealing with daily retail crime incidents.
I was pleased to hear that the store staff know who their neighbourhood police officer’s are and were comfortable to contact them when needed but it is a serious issue which I discussed with the Chief Constable after my visit about tackling the rise of retail crime incidents occurring across the County.
Thank you to Charlotte, Josie and the rest of the team for sharing your experiences and feedback.
24 January Neighbourhood Policing Week Patrol – York
As part of Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action, I went to meet members of the North Yorkshire Police Guildhall Neighbourhood Policing Team in York to find out more about the vital work that they do to protect the public and keep people in York safe and feeling safe.
Check out the video above to find out more.
27 January Holocaust Memorial Day, Harrogate Synagogue
Members of the Inclusivity and Public Confidence team attended the Holocaust Memorial Day at the Harrogate Hebrew Congregation. This is a day for everyone to remember and reflect on the six million Jews that were murdered during the Holocaust, alongside more recent genocides that have taken place across the world. They also had the honour of listening to Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh as he recounted his experiences. Thank you to everyone at the Synagogue for allowing the office to come along and attend.
February 2024
1 February Skipton Police Cadets Visit
I had a super time meeting the Skipton Police Cadets for one of their evening sessions. This scheme is open to young people aged 13 to 18 and is a great way for them to meet new people, take part in loads of activities, gain new skills, get involved in their local community and make a difference. Thanks for having me, I was so impressed by how much you’ve all learned about policing already.
To find out more about volunteering and becoming a Police Cadet click here:
7 February Women’s Whole System Approach Event, York
On Wednesday members of my team were in York for a Women’s Whole System Approach Event. It was a fantastic networking opportunity full of collaborative action planning around violence against women and girls. Thanks to St Giles Trust for your help in organising and bringing everyone together.
13 February Malton ASB Safety Concerns Follow Up Stakeholder Meeting, Ryedale House
This was a follow up meeting in Malton with the stakeholders from the October meeting to see how things have progressed over the last four months. I was pleased to hear partners which included: Town Council, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Community Safety Hub, and local businesses, continue to work together and are in regular contact around anti-social behaviour matters. I hope this working continues.
21 February Tadcaster Key Stakeholder Follow Up Meeting, The Ark
I returned to Tadcaster for a final stakeholder meeting in Tadcaster to hear about the positive cohesive working taking place locally to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour and Drugs.
Thanks to North Yorkshire Council Councillor Poskitt, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, and representatives from the local Community Safety Hub and Housing for a productive meeting with lots of positive outcomes underway. I am pleased to have set the foundations for these partner multi-agency meetings to continue to take place between them.
21 February SELFA Community Fund Project Visit, Skipton
I had a delightful afternoon joining an afternoon session at SELFA- ‘Skipton Extended Learning for All’, who supports over 400 children and young people aged 4-25 and is also one of our Community Fund Project recipients. The girls spoke to me about what they get out of coming to SELFA, and I chatted to them about the activities, and they thanked the office for funding the group.
Thanks to Emma for arranging and allowing me to see first-hand how the Community Fund is benefiting local girls and young women and ensuring that those who are at risk are receiving support to help increase their aspirations and build their confidence.
To find out more about applying for the Community Fund please click the following link: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/how-can-we-help/community-projects/apply-community-fund/
28 February North Yorkshire Youth Commission Big Conversation, York
The North Yorkshire Youth Commission’s Big Conversation was held in York this year which I attended along with North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, and key stakeholders to hear their top priorities, findings and recommendations for this year. Thanks Leaders Unlocked for a fantastic afternoon.
29 February Community Kitchen, York Mosque
Members of the team attended the Community Kitchen at York Mosque. They provide warm food, tea and refreshments that are provided by the Mosque and Guest Kitchens from the local community.
They were able to speak to different members of the community that access the Community Kitchen and were able to have a tour of the mosque itself.
The Kitchen is open every other week and will be resuming dates following Ramadan where office members plan to return as they have found this is a wonderful way for them to engage with the community.
March 2024
2 March Women’s Institute Event, Scarborough
I had a delicious luncheon speaking with individuals who are part of the Women’s Institute. I spoke about the role of the office, my role as Commissioner as well as highlighting our Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.
I want to thank everyone who took part in the Q&A after my talk, there were some really good positive questions raised. Thank you for inviting me.
6 March New Victim Centre Site Visit
It was such a fantastic morning where we marked the progress of a new Victims Centre to provide support to victims of sexual offences from across York and North Yorkshire. A special thanks to The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Police, Survive York, IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services), and Mountain Healthcare Ltd for coming down for a site visit.
For information about the Victim Centre please click here: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/news/victimscentre/
8 March International Women’s Day
The team and I celebrated International Women’s Day, this year celebrating women’s achievements & #InspireInclusion across our communities. Throughout the day we showcased all our amazing commissioned services which are available to help women and girls across North Yorkshire and York.
14 March Clear Hold Build Launch Event, Scarborough
I spent the morning along with key local community stakeholders & partners attended North Yorkshire Police’s event launching the Clear Hold Build strategy in the Barrowcliff area of Scarborough.
The Clear, Hold, Build strategy in this specific area aims to reclaim and rebuild the neighbourhood and improve the quality of life for residents.
It is part of a national project from the Home Office, which every police force in the country is adopting by the end of March 2024.
It was a great to hear how the initiative is going to help the local community, and how they are going to be ‘Building Barrowcliff Together’.
14 March County Lines Community Fund Visit, George Pindar School, Scarborough
I joined Christina Gabbitas for one of her student engagement sessions with Year 9 students at George Pindar School, where she delivered her story Trapped in County Lines with assistance from local PC Jamie and PCSO Chris from North Yorkshire Police.
The story received funding from our Community Fund so it was fantastic to see how Christina continues to actively raise awareness around County Lines with young people across North Yorkshire and York.
15 March Masham Key Stakeholder Meetings on upcoming ASB Concerns
I was asked to arrange a round table stakeholder meeting by Masham Town Council who wanted to get a head start on preventing upcoming increases of anti-social behaviour occurring in the town. There was a lot of positive dialogue between partners in attendance including North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, North Yorkshire Councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister and local landowners. I planned to reconvene for a final follow up meeting on 12 April so I can see what work has been done since the first meeting.
April 2024
3 April Breaking Fast with Northallerton Muslim Community, Alverton Court
Members of my team were present in Northallerton to break fast with our Muslim community along with North Yorkshire Police. They were able to gain a further understanding of the practices observed during which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), refection and community and they were honoured to attend.
10 April Good Citizen Awards, York College
It was fantastic to be at York College to present their General Education students with their Good Citizen Awards.
The awards were given in recognition of to positive impact the students have had within the community through their fundraising activities which included:
- An Enterprise Stall at the local Tesco – to give the public somewhere to purchase gifts at a price they could afford, by providing donations.
- Creating the St Leonard’s Hospice Pompom Wreath: Using some of the funding from the stall, the students bought resources to make a pompom wreath for St Leonard’s Hospice that they hand-delivered. They wanted to bring festive joy to those at end-of-life care. All students were involved, by making at least 1 pompom each.
- Toy Collection: Any toys that were left from the stall and toys they received from their toy collection, were donated to Martins House and The Island, which they dropped off in person.
A massive congratulations to everyone who got an award.
11 April Boroughbridge Stakeholder Meeting on Anti-Social Behaviour
I organised and attended the Boroughbridge and Aldborough Anti-Social Behaviour Stakeholder Meeting supported by my team. In this meeting we discussed the current anti-social behaviour that has been on the increase in the area and the actions the Neighbourhood Policing Team have taken including an increased NYP presence. NYP encouraged members of the community to report incidents to police.
You can report via 101, 999 or online here: https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
12 April Masham Follow-Up Stakeholder Meeting on upcoming ASB Concerns
The follow up Masham Stakeholder Meeting took place, and we discussed what the Police response will be in late May – early June 2024 when it is expected members of the travelling community will stop in the area.
I was really pleased to see a robust North Yorkshire Police plan has been put in place and that Masham Parish Council and landowners are supported. The community & stakeholders were, once again, advised to report any incidents to police during this time period.
OPFCC Engagement opportunities over the coming months:
- April 2024 – Stalking Awareness Week
- May 2024 – Mental Health Awareness Week
- June 2024 – Response policing week, Safeguarding Awareness Week, Pride Month
- July 2024 – Anti-Social Behaviour Week, Great Yorkshire Show
I’ve felt it is an important part of the role to be out and about across the county engaging with as many residents, businesses, and stakeholders as possible.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the community engagement opportunities I have been invited to along with members of my team.
I have loved listening and connecting with as many residents as possible across North Yorkshire and York hearing and taking on board any concerns raised about your police or fire services to continue holding them to account.
It has truly been a privilege to be your Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner these last 2 years and driving improvements in Police and Fire services and outcomes for victims. I wish the team at my office all the best for their new beginnings with the York and North Yorkshire Mayor when elected this May.
Commissioner Zoë.