Proactive Fortnight gets underway in Scarborough and Ryedale
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Policing teams across the Borough of Scarborough and Ryedale have started a two-week operation to target county lines drug dealers, those involved in cross-border and rural crime, dangerous drivers and increasing the safety of women and girls on nights out.
“Proactive Fortnight” begins today (Monday 15 November) and runs through to Friday 26 November.
Teams based at Scarborough, Eastfield, Filey, Whitby, Malton and Pickering have been bolstered with additional resources from the Roads Policing Group, Rural Task Force and the Operational Support Unit.
Superintendent Andrea Kell, the Senior Operational Commander of Scarborough and Ryedale Police, said: “Proactive Fortnight is all about putting maximum pressure on known and suspected offenders with an intelligence-led approach, supported by additional specialist resources from across North Yorkshire Police.
“Our teams are actively targeting those involved in county lines drug dealing, cross-border and rural crime, as well as education and enforcement linked to the ‘Fatal 5’ traffic offences – careless driving, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, excessive speeding, and distracted driving which includes mobile phone use.”
Supt Kell added: “There is also a focus on the safety of women and girls regarding violence and the emerging issue of spiking. Our officers are providing a highly visible and reassuring presence in and around nightclubs and bars till after closing time, when people are making their way home.
“This is a multi-agency effort working alongside Scarborough Borough Council, the Community Impact Team and licensees, and includes briefing door staff and staff members to be fully aware of these growing concerns.
“We also have officers in plain clothes who will be on the look-out for any suspicious behaviour at these venues.
“Women and girls feeling unsafe in public areas at night is something that North Yorkshire Police and our community partners are determined to address in the weeks and months ahead.”
Off to a flying start
On Monday (15 November) afternoon, the policing team in Scarborough ran a “Fatal 5” traffic education and enforcement operation at the north end of Marine Drive.
As well as conducting basic vehicle checks including tyres, screen wash and lights, the officers were also equipped to administer drink and drug procedures where appropriate.
15 vehicle were stopped and directed to the checkpoint. We're please to say that everything was in order and the drivers we spoke to appreciated the effort to raise awareness about safer driving in our area.
Earlier in the day, the road safety operation in and around Scarborough led to seven proactive vehicle stops resulting in Traffic Offence Reports for distracted driving (using a mobile phone), not wearing a seatbelt, and driving without insurance which included the seizure of the vehicle.
Officers also gave words of advice for excessive speeding on three occasions, as well as for a vehicle defect.
Watch this space for more updates on Proactive Fortnight.