Latest Police Report for March 2020

Police officers, PCSOs and Police Volunteers from Eastfield Police Station are launching a yearlong initiative to connect with the community and keep older residents safe.

Operation Cracker, which was successfully launched in the run up to Christmas in 2018 and 2019, will now run from this Spring until the end of the year.  It will see officers and PCSOs working alongside teams of volunteers and partner agencies, calling on residents – young and old – in areas where there is a high proportion of older or vulnerable people.

Older residents will be offered crime prevention and welfare advice, while younger residents will be encouraged to keep an eye out for their more vulnerable neighbours.

In addition to calling on residents officers will be connecting with the community through a programme of roadshows and drop-ins in supermarkets, libraries and cafes.

Operation Cracker is a partnership initiative, drawing in support and expertise from different organisations, including McCain Foods, who have been instrumental in assisting the project to connect with the community: designing and producing a booklet to be handed out. Dawn Nisbet from McCain said: “As a business, safety is our number one priority with our employees. When we heard about Operation Cracker, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to extend our commitment to safety to our neighbours. We wanted to support this initiative to ensure the Eastfield community have all the information they need to feel and stay safe.”

Sergeant Dan Thompson, of Eastfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “ During Operation Cracker we will be visiting areas where there is a higher population of older people, making sure they are equipped with the right support to help them stay safe.

“We provide advice such as home security and how to keep your valuables safe when you’re out and about, as well as sign-posting to support from partner agencies and local groups that can provide support.”

“Older people are often vulnerable to telephone fraud and in visiting them during the operation we will be able to explain the warning signs.”

Other partners supporting the initiative include: North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, NatWest Bank, Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource, Filey Lions, the Alzheimers Society, Dementia Friends and Beyond Housing.