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May 2010

Priority 1: Poaching on private land around Cottingham

Since February 2010 there have been thirteen reported incidents of males seen on private land poaching for rabbits believed without the landowners permission. Areas involved are Middledyke Lane, Dunswell, Snuff Mill Lane, Eppleworth Road and Willerby Low road. There are several offences being committed by these persons if they do not have the permission from the landowners. These offences include Poaching by Day (Sections 30, 31, 32 & 34 of the Game Act 1831), Poaching by night (Illegal lamping- sections 1, 2 & 9 of the Night Poaching Act 1828) and Hunting with dogs/hare coursing (sections 1.2.5 & 8 of the Hunting Act 2004). On some occasions when these persons have been challenged by members of the public they have become verbally abusive and on the rare occasion threatened with violence. The advice of the police is that should you witness this activity, DO NOT approach these persons and challenge them yourselves but report the matter to the police on the non-emergency number 0845 60 60 222.

Action: – Because of a number of incidents on the fields between New Village road, North Moor Lane, Dunswell road and Middledyke lane the neighbourhood team is in the process of contacting the numerous different landowners with a view to obtaining confirmation from them that they have not given anyone permission to be using their land for poaching, tethering horses or dumping rubbish. This will then be used as evidence against anyone who is reported for summons or charged with any offences on this land. The neighbourhood team is also working closely with the Humberside Fire Brigade and East Riding Council to deal with the issues of arson and fly tipping in this area.

On 16/2/10 a group of males were seen on the land between New Village road and North Moor Lane, when challenged by a nearby resident they became abusive and threatening. Officers attended at the location and were assisted by the force helicopter. One male adult in this group became aggressive and threatening towards the officers and was subdued and arrested by been sprayed with PAVA incapacitant and struck several times with ASP batons. He was later interviewed and issued with a £80 penalty notice for a Public Order offence. A Fairway letter has been sent to this male from the ERYC ASBO team and this group’s behaviour will now be monitored by the Neighbourhood team and evidence will be gathered to deal with them for anti-social behaviour as well as any criminal offences mentioned above.

On 17/2/10 a resident at the above location reported this same group having been poaching at the location for the past 3 months. The informant was updated with the actions of the police and the male’s arrest.

On 2/3/10 a group of males in camouflage clothing, carrying a spade and in possession of two dogs were seen walking into the fields on Snuff Mill Lane. Neighbourhood officers attended in the area and carried out a search but did not locate the group. It is believed from the descriptions that this is the same group from the incident on 16/2/10.

On 9/3/10 a group of males were seen again on the fields behind New Village road and believed to be the same group from the 16/2/10. Officers searched the location but failed to locate this group.

On 11/3/10 six males with dogs carrying sticks were seen on the fields behind New Village road. Officers attended at the location and carried out a search of the area but were unable to locate this group. This group is again believed to be the same group from the 16/2/10.

On 11/3/10 five males were seen in the fields off Eppleworth road with dogs which were been allowed to run into the hedgerows. It is believed this was the same group seen that same day in New Village road. Officers carried a search of the area but were unable to locate this group.

On 13/3/10 two males with sticks and dogs were again seen in the fields behind New Village road. Officers located two males on the fields with the help of the force helicopter and were found to be in possession of air rifles. No offences were discovered and they were advised about seeking permission from the landowners before entering the land in future.

On 14/3/10 three males were reported at the same location as above and neighbourhood officers stopped two males in possession of air rifles (the same two males from the day before). They were again advised that they needed permission from the landowners and if they were caught again on this land they would be reported for summons offences.

On 14/3/10 two males were reported to be poaching in fields off Willerby Low Road. PCSOs attended in the area and located the two males. When their details were checked one of the males was found to be wanted for breach of bail offences so he was arrested and taken back to court.

On 17/3/10 two males were seen with lamps in the fields around Willerby Low road. Officers conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate them.

On 31/3/10 a number of males were reportedly seen with lamps in fields around Canada Drive. Officers searched the location with the assistance of the force helicopter but no males were found in the area.

On 12/4/10 five youths were seen with lurcher type dogs in Dunswell. Officers searched the location but the youths had left prior to there arrival.

On 21/4/10 two males were seen in the Woodmansey and Dunswell areas with two dogs. Two males were detained by officers as they headed back towards Kingswood. They were warned regarding their behaviour as they had not been seen hunting or poaching.

On 22/4/10 four males were seen with 5 dogs walking along Millhouse Woods Lane towards the Waterworks. NPT officers conducted a search of the area and located these males coming off the fields on Dunswell Road. One of the males was recognised to be the male arrested on 16/2/10. All males were warned re their conduct and advised to seek permission from the land owners or face prosecution in future. All males will be sent out Fairwary letters to warn them that their behaviour is anti-social. Should an individual receive 3 of these letters then they will be invited into Cottingham Police station to be issued with an acceptable behaviour contract where the NPT will continue to monitor their behaviour for a further 6 months and gather evidence for an ASBO application should the behaviour continue.

On 26/4/10 two males were reported to be shooting rabbits at the waterworks off Millhouse Woods Lane. They were seen with a vehicle and the witness has obtained the registration number. Enquiries are been made by the NPT to trace these males and speak with them to ascertain whether or not they had permission to be shooting on this land.

Priority 2: Vehicle Crime – Cottingham is an area affected by vehicle crime

Car parks are often targeted by local criminals targeting vehicles with items such as satellite navigation systems, laptops, mobile phones and hand bags, left on display in vehicles for all to see. Car parks monitored in the Cottingham North area are Total Fitness, Cottingham Golf Club, Lazaats, The Lawns and Needler Hall amongst others. Regular evening patrols of these car parks are been carried out, any vehicles found with items on display will be recorded by us and a letter sent to the vehicle keeper, educating them in crime prevention. Any suspicious individuals found on these car parks by officers will be stop searched and asked to account for their presence in that area. Checks of this nature have been carried out across the East Riding for a number of months now and we are already starting to see a drop in the amount of letters needed to be sent and the amount of vehicle crime committed in these areas.

Action: These car parks are checked periodically during each evening by members of the Neighbourhood team. As a result of these checks throughout March the following letters have been sent to vehicle keepers on listed dates. All for vehicles parked in the above mentioned car parks in the Cottingham Area.

04 March – 11 letters sent.

08 March – 3 letters sent.

09 March – 8 letters sent.

15 March – 3 letters sent.

16 March – 3 letters sent.

29 March – 4 letters sent.

Action for April 2010

15 March – 2 letters sent.

16 March – 1 letter sent.

18 March – 4 letters sent.

21 March – 1 letter sent.

So far at the time of writing this report 30 April we have had no crimes reported to the Police of this nature from these car parks.

April 2010

Theft of pedal cycles from outside of retail premises

This priority has been removed as the number of these thefts has been reduced significantly due to targeting and arresting known offenders, conducting high visibility foot patrols and using crime prevention initiatives to educate owners to locking and securing their cycles when left unattended. All thefts that are reported are fully investigated by officers and CCTV is used where appropriate to identify and trace the offenders. Owners are reminded that when leaving their cycles unattended, even for a short period of time to “Lock it or Lose it”.

Parking issues in and around Green Lane

This priority has now been removed because the number of complaints has reduced and there are ongoing plans involving the council, local residents, NHS and police to improve the parking issues affected by visitors and staff using the hospital site and facilities. The neighbourhood team will still patrol this location to monitor the problem and respond to any future complaints regarding parking.