North Yorkshire police carrying out extra patrols to drive criminal gangs out of Clifton
It's part of a strategy called 'clear, hold, build'
North Yorkshire Police is working with key partners and the local community to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Clifton.
The force has implemented the Home Office’s “Clear Hold Build” strategy into the area to improve the quality of life for residents and local people. The strategy is part of a national project which every police force in the country will adopt by the end of March 2024.
The community are uniting under the strapline of “Connecting Clifton” to make the area a more prosperous place to live, work and visit. Key partners which include North Yorkshire Police, the City of York Council and Horizons are working closely with local sports clubs and councillors to drive out crime and anti social behaviour.
Local school children from Clifton Green Primary school have designed a logo for the Connecting Clifton Partnership.
The initial stage is designed to clear out the people that are causing crime and misery. Police officers are carrying out targeted patrols in the area to tackle any criminal offences from low level anti-social behaviour to more serious crime such as drug dealing and robbery.
In January 2024, the police deployed to Clifton on 59 occasions to work on the Clear Hold Build strategy. As part of these deployments’ officers have conducted warrants at addresses which are linked to drugs and seized cars for various offences. Several “intensification days” have also being held, this is where officers invite members of the public to feedback on any problems in the form of a survey so the police and partners can further understand the issues in the area.
The second stage is a hold over the area to prevent any further issues taking place.
The final stage is the build stage, which will see officers and partners work with the local community in Clifton to build resilience for the area, so it is less susceptible to criminal activity in the future.
The local Neighbourhood Policing officers are dedicated to delivering the Clear Hold Build strategy and they are now asking the local community to work collaboratively on the approach.
North Yorkshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Clarke commented:
“This initiative aims to tackle everything from low level crime right-up to serious and organised crime.
“Effective prevention alongside enforcement is key to the success of the Clear Hold Build strategy.
“We all have our part to play and together we can make a difference. This national project provides us with a significant opportunity to implement positive change on a local level in Clifton.”
Nicola Jones, Head Teacher at Clifton Green Primary School commented:
“As a school at the heart of the Clifton community, we are proud to be involved in this project and look forward to working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure that our children and families live happy, safe and healthy lives in our local area.
“The children have some really exciting ideas about how we can work together to improve our environment, facilities and opportunities and hopefully the various partners involved will be able to bring some of this to life.”