Crime prevention advice on offer in Scarborough

31st July 2009

A joint initiative between police and Scarborough Council will provide residents with crime prevention help and advice through a series of sessions.

A PCSO from Castle ward will be holding informal discussions at the council's Customer First centre in St Nicholas Street every last Thursday of the month from 1.30pm until 2.30pm.

Each session will focus on local priorities in the Castle ward with a view to reduce crime. Advice will be given on issues such as anti-social behaviour including nuisance neighbours, inappropriate behaviour, vandalism, drug dealing and street drinking.

There will also be tips on personal crime reduction including household and property, which can include a crime prevention check of property if requested, advice on bogus callers and travelling salesman, and personal safety and identity theft.

Insp Tony Quinn, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "The drop-in sessions not only provide an opportunity for local people to meet their local officers and voice their concerns about issues important to them, it also helps us to fulfil some of our commitments under the Policing Pledge and is a very visible demonstration of how the local police work closely with Scarborough Council."

Scarborough Council's customer services manager, Howard Foster, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community and visitors, working in this way also helps us to increase awareness of the Customer First operation and help promote it as the council's first point of contact for members of the public with any queries about the services we offer along with other authorities within the area."

Assistance will also be available on setting up new Neighbourhood Watch groups and vehicle crime prevention.