Yob bans helping cut violent crime at trouble spots in East Riding

POLICE issued hundreds of banning orders to disperse drunken yobs from trouble spots in the East Riding last year.

The tactic has helped reduce violent crime by 18 per cent.

More than 500 Section 27 notices were issued, banning individuals from flashpoint areas for up to 48 hours.

Police say the move has helped nip trouble in the bud when booze-fuelled incidents threatened to spill over.

But tackling violent crime remains a priority after 3,135 offences were recorded last year, including domestic violence.

Chief Superintendent Richard Kerman, who is in charge of policing in the East Riding, said dispersal orders have helped quell trouble in the streets at night.

He said: "Officers issued 528 dispersal orders last year compared with 365 in 2011.

"Individuals are banned from a certain area for up to 48 hours and if they breach it they are arrested.

"The tactic is working, it is nipping trouble in the bud."

Chief Supt Kerman insists residents have a right to feel safe on the streets at night.

He said: "I want people to be able to go out and enjoy licensed premises and restaurants without having their nights spoilt by alcohol- related trouble.

"I would also ask parents to speak to their kids about alcohol and the dangers and to make the point you can have a good night out without being paralytic."

Police have also taken a tough line with any pubs linked to alcohol-related problems.

Chief Supt Kerman said: "We have had trouble with a small number of premises and we have been robust in making them take responsibility for managing their own premises.

"We have also been looking at underage sales and doing test-purchase operations to ensure alcohol is not being sold to under-18s."

Special constables have been drafted in to boost high visibility patrols at nights on the streets, especially at weekends.

Police have also forged a close working relationship with senior officers at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield, which has helped cut flare-ups between squaddies and youths in Beverley.

About a third of cases of violence against the person involved domestic violence.

Domestic violence has reduced but Chief Supt Kerman insists it remains a high priority.

He said: "We need to have a focus on domestic violence, the victims are vulnerable people and we have to be firm and robust in dealing with it."

Crime overall reduced by 16 per cent last year to 14,219 cases, compared with 16,879 in 2011.

Among crime reductions were theft and handling stolen goods, which went down by 13 per cent to 4,829 offences.

Sex offences also reduced by 13 per cent to 307 cases.

Reports of criminal damage dropped by 26 per cent to 2,432.

Fraud and forgery increased from 485 cases to 507.

Robbery went up from 39 to 46 offences.

Recorded drug offences were down from 778 to 679 cases.

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