Town Safety Officers
Town Safety Officers (TSO's) are a great solution to help reduce anti-social behaviour, drink related incidents including assault, disorder, etc, and support vulnerable people.
Working on behalf of North Yorkshire Police and partnering with businesses, local licensed premises and the local authority, enables a well-rounded on the street presence.
The teams have tools available to them for referrals to help and support, whether it be metal health, domestic violence, homelessness or other support opportunities.
The press release below by North Yorkshire Police explains further...
Following the success of deployments in the run up to Christmas 2023, Operation Night Safe will continue into 2024 to help keep people safe and tackle anti-social behaviour in Selby’s night-time economy.
The operation launched at the start of December 2023 and analysis shows that there was fewer violent incidents recorded during this month in Selby compared to the same time period in 2022.
The deployment involves police officers and town safety officers carrying out high visibility patrols in prominent areas in the town centre. The team work together to ensure that members of the public know how to keep themselves safe after dark. Communi-tea Venue on Abbey Walk will continue to act as a hub for the patrols and will be used as a safe place for anyone who requires assistance.
Licensee’s in the town centre have praised the initiative and have welcomed the extension of further deployments this year as it provides reassurance to people who use the night time economy.
Inspector Martin Wedgwood from North Yorkshire Police commented:
“ It’s encouraging to see that the enhanced deployments in the town centre after dark are having a positive impact.
“ Selby is a safe and enjoyable place for residents and visitors and the aim of Operation Night Safe is to ensure that this remains so.
Stef Griffin from the Communi-tea commented:
“The Big Communi-tea are proud to partner with North Yorkshire Police on Operation Night Safe.
“We are pleased to hear that the results have been impactive in Selby and are delighted to assist in keeping the local community safe.”
Carl Nickson, Managing Director at Eboracum UK Ltd, who provide the Town Safety Officers added:
“ It is a privilege to be able to be a key partner in keeping people safe in Selby.
“We are building on the work carried out in December and look forward to the well-received and continued collaboration.”
Operation Night Safe launches in Selby
North Yorkshire Police is working with local partners in Selby on an initiative to keep people safe in the run up to Christmas.
The force will be deploying additional police officers to provide an enhanced level of safety to women and girls from violent and sexual crimes. The police and partners are responding to feedback from a survey of local residents who raised concerns about safety in the town after dark.
The new initiative which is called “Operation Night Safe” will see the introduction of several practical measures to prevent incidents taking place.The Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, Zoë Metcalfe has awarded £38,895.04 in funding to support the project with Town Safety Officers. These are a team of civilian staff who will work in in constant contact with police officers and the council’s CCTV operators via a radio system to make sure that those who are using the town’s bars and restaurants are doing so responsibly. Their role will be to provide an early warning system to any escalating tensions and when necessary, gather footage which can be used as evidence.
Inspector Martin Wedgwood of North Yorkshire Police commented:
“We would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey – your feedback has been extremely helpful.
“ While we do not want to spoil anyone's fun, we simply will not tolerate anti-social or criminal behaviour under any circumstances.
“The aim of Operation Night Safe is to deliver the right intervention at the right time.”