A new anti social behaviour project has launched in York

Today (Monday 03 November 2025) alongside our partners; we have launched Operation Luscombe, a North Yorkshire Police initiative to crackdown on anti social behaviour (ASB) in York city centre.

Anti social behaviour can have a detrimental impact on people’s lives. We’ve responded to an increase in reports involving groups of people congregating and being abusive and intimidating to local people, visitors and businesses. Other issues including the dangerous and illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters have also been reported and are being dealt with by specialist operations colleagues.

This dedicated operation is about getting to the root of the problem by taking action to put a resolution in place. The Initiative has a four-step approach to help support those individuals to address the reason for their offending, starting with engagement at a local community café before moving on to an enforcement approach. Today (Monday 03 November 2025) officers held the first engagement event with partners at Chocolate Co on Lowther Street.

The operation uses two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) and Community Protection Notices (CPN) which provide officers and key partners with additional powers to prevent individuals or groups from carrying out acts of anti social behaviour.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) deal with a particular nuisance that is having a detrimental effect for those in the local community. It prohibits individuals with certain things or requires specific things to be done.

CPN - A Community Protection Notice (CPN) is aimed to prevent unreasonable behaviour. We can issue any person aged 16 years or over with a notice, whether it is an individual or a business, and it will require the behaviour to stop and if necessary reasonable steps to be taken to ensure that it is not repeated in the future.

If individuals don’t adhere to the various notices or orders they can be banned from entering the city centre or arrested.

We will be increasing the number of anti social behaviour patrols alongside our partners including City of York Council Street Navigators, Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers and the York BID Rangers at different times and locations within the city centre to enforce the measures as well as provide visibility and reassurance to residents.

Inspector Jen Stockwell from the York city centre Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “York is a vibrant and welcoming city, and we are determined to ensure it remains a place where residents, businesses, and visitors feel safe, supported and proud to be.

“Operation Luscombe is built on strong partnership working and a person-centred approach. By working closely with our partners across local authorities, health, housing, and the voluntary sector, we can make sure that those who need support are offered it at the earliest opportunity, while also tackling the behaviours that cause most harm in the city centre.

“Together, we’re putting the right structures in place to deliver long-term solutions, reduce repeat issues, and strengthen our city’s sense of safety and community. We remain committed to visible, proactive local policing and to working side by side with our partners to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour across York.”