General Communications
General Communications
This page contains communications the council has received that may be of general interest. These communications come from several sources including North Yorkshire Council (NYC), the Yorkshire Dales National Park (YDNPA) and the National Trust (NT).
Public urged to have their say to make York and North Yorkshire safer for all
Jo Coles, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, is calling on the public to share their views on violence and community safety in York and North Yorkshire. This year’s survey also includes specific questions about violence against women and girls.
Anyone who has been a victim of violence, felt unsafe or been affected by violent crime can take part in the survey to help improve services and support going forward.
The survey is open until Friday 4 July 2025 and can be accessed here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ViolenceSurvey
Data shows that between April to September 2024, serious violence fell by 10% in York and North Yorkshire compared to the same period in the previous year. This year’s survey will be used to continue to improve support to victims and to reduce violence in the future.
Under the Serious Violence Duty introduced by the Government in January 2023, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has a statutory duty to convene partners to address levels of violence. The partnership includes North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, probation services, North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council and the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. The partnership published the first Serious Violence Strategy in January 2024, and it is renewed each year.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:
“Everyone has the right to feel safe. Serious violence devastates victims’ lives. Although our levels of serious violence in York and North Yorkshire are relatively low, each case is devastating for victims and causes huge damage to our communities.
“The new Government has committed to halve serious violence, including knife crime. To make sure we’re in the best position to reduce levels of violence in our communities it’s really important we have an accurate picture of how these issues are currently affecting people.
“So if you can, please take a few minutes of your time to let us know how safe you feel in your communities and if you’ve been a victim of crime over the last 12 months.
During Knife Crime Awareness Week 2025 there was a focus on empowering young people to make safe choices and resist peer pressure. In York and North Yorkshire, schools, community groups, and local services have taken part in educational workshops and awareness events to highlight the dangers of knife crime and promote safer communities.
Following the successful trial of a knife bin in Harrogate, which has seen more than 1,800 bladed items handed in since January 2024, another 20 bins are now being sited in Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Tadcaster, Selby, Malton, Pickering, Scarborough, Whitby, Colburn, Richmond, Skipton and York. 130 knives have been reported to have been surrendered in Skipton, the third busiest in the region, and 51 have been surrendered in Settle. North Yorkshire Police’s website includes an interactive map with locations and information about the knife bins.
Additional information
The definition of serious violence for York and North Yorkshire reflects issues identified within the local area, and the impact and prevalence of different types of serious violence.
Therefore, the following crimes are included in our definition of serious violence and were used to inform our Serious Violence Strategy: homicide; violence with injury (attempted murder, endangering life, grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, administering poison with intent to injure, non-fatal strangulation and suffocation); domestic abuse; rape and sexual offences; weapon related violence, including weapon possession; arson endangering life; and stalking and harassment.
Violence against women and girls includes crimes such as domestic abuse, rape, sexual violence, abuse and exploitation, and stalking which most often affect women and girls and are typically committed by men. However, it’s vital to ensure all voices of victims of violence, no matter who they are, are listened to and believed. Men, boys, and non-binary people can also be victims, and women can be perpetrators too.
The Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan for 2025 – 2029, launched on 31 March, sets out the strategic direction of North Yorkshire Police by identifying four key priorities over the next four years, these are:
· Focus on Prevention and Early Intervention
Tackling the root causes of crime in York and North Yorkshire through education, community programmes, and early intervention to prevent crime before it occurs and intervene early when it does.
· Protect the Public
Protecting the public of York and North Yorkshire and improving trust and confidence in policing by focusing on specific crime outcomes/themes that the public said were most important.
· Work with Partners
Working with our partners to ensure a collaborative approach to identifying and protecting the most vulnerable people in York and North Yorkshire and to ensure all victims of crime receive appropriate care and support.
· Build Stronger Communities
Focusing on creating safer communities throughout York and North Yorkshire through proactive policing, partnerships with local organisations, and community engagement.
Useful Links:
Read more about our 2025 Serious Violence Strategy
Read more about our 2024 Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
Let’s Talk Skills is part of our series of Let’s Talk conversations with you. The conversations are part of our continued commitment to listen to people who live and work in North Yorkshire. We want to hear from you! Please fill in the online survey here www.northyorks.gov.uk/letstalk
We want your input on the training and skills development opportunities North Yorkshire needs.
Whether it’s supporting school leavers or those nearing retirement, offering a fresh start for those stepping onto the career ladder, or providing the tools needed to care for others, your insight helps us ensure that all residents of any age can access lifelong learning.
Understanding what’s important to you means that we can develop a curriculum that reflects the skills needed to ensure North Yorkshire is the best it can be.
This survey takes just a few minutes to complete and draws on your experiences with learning, any challenges you’ve encountered, and your vision for the future of skills in North Yorkshire.
There are several ways you can take part in Let’s Talk Skills:
You can fill in an online survey here www.northyorks.gov.uk/letstalk – the survey is on Commonplace, which is a safe and easy-to-use online tool used to engage with communities, by over 250 organisations including neighbouring councils in Leeds and West Yorkshire.
If you would prefer, you can pick up a paper copy from your local library or main local office and return it in the envelope provided.
You can also email letstalk@northyorks.gov.uk or call 0300 131 2 131 (please say ‘Let’s Talk’ when prompted) to request a survey.
You can write to:
Let’s Talk
North Yorkshire Council
County Hall
Northallerton
DL7 8AD
Accessible formats of the survey are available on request. Please share your views with us and encourage your colleagues, friends and family to do the same. The survey closes on 9 June 2025.
We’ve heard from the National Trust, who are delighted to announce that the new path, extending from the existing path along the River towards Hubberholme, will be open with effect from Friday 20th December.
There will be a more formal opening in January, but the path can be used from this weekend, just in time for that Christmas season stroll.
Enjoy.