Police 7: Community Policing News Aug. ’25

Police 7: Community Policing News Aug. ’25

The NYE’s Police 7 articles are intended to be a one-stop shop for our readers covering crime prevention advice, court reports, police appeals for assistance, local community policing news, information on victim support, updates from the North Yorkshire Police (NYP) and the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for North Yorkshire and the Coroner.

Police 7 is one of our most popular features with our readers, who appreciate getting regular updates from the police via the NYE.

We lead these articles with a photograph of the late Shaw Taylor, as a tribute to him. Shaw was a groundbreaking forensic journalist, who pioneered police media appeals for information in the program Police 5. His work led to the successful conclusion of many cases in the UK, Europe and the United States through local program that followed the pioneering format of his original program Police 5 in 1962.

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Police 7: Community Policing News August 2025

Crime Prevention

North Yorkshire Police launches summer drink driving campaign

At midnight on 1^st July 2025, North Yorkshire Police launched its summer drink and drug drive campaign.

Increased patrols across North Yorkshire targeting drink or drug drivers have resulted in 129 people being arrested for drink and drug driving related offences throughout July.

So far, the highest evidential reading recorded from this campaign was 155 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35 micrograms. Shortly after 9.30pm on Sunday 27 July 2025 a member of the public who was travelling on the A19 at Escrick reported that a vehicle was swerving all over the road and had no lights on. The vehicle was stopped on the A63 near Selby where the driver failed a roadside breath test. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, in custody he blew 155 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath– the legal limit is 35 micrograms. He was charged and remanded in custody.

A social media campaign asked people to think about their choice of transport home after consuming alcohol has had over 250,000 views. It emphasises the consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol, which are:

• A one -way ticket to police custody, followed by a meeting with the local magistrate.
• A lift to hospital in an Ambulance

Or

• A final journey with an undertaker.

The safest and legal option is to use a taxi or public transport.

Drink and drug driving is one of the main contributors in collisions and is one of the fatal five driving offences, alongside careless driving, not wearing a seat belt, excessive speed, and using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel.

Inspector Clive Turner from North Yorkshire Police said:

“We’re committed to making the roads in North Yorkshire safer for everyone, which is why we put in place the additional patrols in pursuit of those who put lives at risk by driving under the influence.

Our officers are so passionate about the drink and drug driving campaigns as they have witnessed first-hand the devastating aftermath of drink and drug driving collisions; they are entirely preventable.

There is no let-up, we will continue to be relentless in our approach to targeting those people who think it is acceptable to drive when under the influence of drink or drugs”.

Court Reports

York drink-driver sentenced

Amanda Brooks aged 54, from Clifton, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 6 August, as well as being disqualified for 32 months, she was given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £85 for CPS costs, fined £120 and a victim surcharge of £154.

Brooks failed to attend the initial court hearing which resulted in a warrant being issued for her arrest. She then appeared in court on 5 July, where she pleaded guilty and was given an interim disqualification for driving until she was sentenced.

This was in connection with two drink-driving incidents.

The first was at the Aldi supermarket on Water Lane in York, at around 1pm on Wednesday 11 June 2025, when a seemingly intoxicated woman crashed her black Peugeot car into a hedge within the car park. A member of the public was concerned and reported the incident to the police. Officers attended and arrested Brooks after she failed a road-side breath test.

In the second incident, at 1.35pm on Monday 4 July 2025, observant and alert officers stopped a black Peugeot car in the Clifton with Brooks behind the wheel. She appeared intoxicated and again failed a road-side breath test.

Investigating officer, Traffic Constable Jack Dodsworth, said:

“Sadly, all too often, we see the harsh reality of drink and drug driving on our roads, and we will do everything to combat those who flout the law by driving whilst intoxicated.

Thankfully in this case, with help from a member of the public who alerted us, we were able to take Brooks off the roads before she caused any further collisions or endangered anyone’s life.

The sentence reflects the serious nature of Brooks’ behaviour and also highlights that it will not be tolerated. Those who decide to break the law and put other road users in grave danger, will be dealt with robustly.”

Remember – if you see anyone get behind the wheel of a car, and you know they’ve been drinking, please don’t hesitate to call it in on 999 or via 101 if not an immediate risk.

If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or make an online report.

It really could save lives.

To get professional support for alcohol and drug related issues:

• Drink Drug Hub website: http://www.drinkdrughub.co.uk/
• North Yorkshire Rise – young people’s specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (Option 2) – http://www.humankindcharity.org.uk/service/nyrise/
• North Yorkshire Horizons – adult specialist drug and alcohol service – freephone 08000 14 14 80 – http://www.nyhorizons.org.uk/
• City of York Drug and Alcohol Service – https://www.changegrowlive.org/york/info
• NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/
• FRANK helpline and information – https://www.talktofrank.com/

Whitby man sentenced for sexual assault

Sex offender John Dowson (82) from the Whitby area was convicted at York Crown Court for two indecent assaults and a sexual assault against multiple victims between the 1990s and last year.

Dowson was given a suspended 14 months custodial suspended for two years and ordered to do 250 hours of community service. He was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which imposes additional restrictions to stop him re-offending and will be closely managed by specialist Police Officers. In addition, he was given a 10-year restraining order and has been added to the sex offenders’ register.

One of Dowson’s victims, who is not being named to protect her anonymity, has shared the life-changing impact of sexual abuse to encourage other victims to come forward. She addressed Dowson directly in a statement prepared for the court, telling him:

“My life was changed forever by your actions — not just mine, but the lives of so many others who were affected in the ripple effect of your choices.

What you did caused me irreversible pain and fear. The kind of fear that creeps into everyday moments. That lingers within spaces where I used to feel safe.

The damage you’ve done doesn’t just fade with time, it follows me and I believe it always will.”

This brave lady went on to say that the abuse has made it harder to trust people, adding:

“I second guess my own instincts. You took a part of my happiness, security and tranquillity that day. I hate to give that power to another human being, but I’d hate even more to see you get away with it.”

The victim welcomed the outcome of the case, saying she is reassured that Dowson will be closely managed to prevent him reoffending. She thanked North Yorkshire Police for the support she had received during the investigation and urged anyone who’s experienced sexual abuse to have the confidence to come forward and report it.

Detective Sergeant Arthur Ames of Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said:

“I’d like to thank the victims in this case for having the courage to come forward. I also hope this will encourage others to come forward knowing that the police will investigate any allegations thoroughly, no matter when they happened.

All of the victims have chosen to have their voices heard and have exposed Dowson’s offending over decades.

Their courage has led to today’s conviction that will not only mean that they have been heard but that Dowson will be on the sex offenders’ register so police and partners can apply appropriate safeguarding measures and prevent any further offending by him. Dowson has pleaded guilty but has shown no remorse for his actions or the impact they have had on the victims and their families.”

If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, no matter when it happened, you can report it to the police so it can be investigated, and they can help you access a range of emotional and practical support designed specifically to help people who’ve been affected by sexual abuse.

Appeals

Man approaching women in Scarborough

NYP has received a report of a man approaching a woman in Scarborough town centre which caused distress. It happened between 3:30pm and 4pm on Sunday 20 July 2025 outside a store on North Street.

The Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team is aware of comments on social media from other women who have said that they have also been approached by a man in the town centre. Inspector Craig Regan, of Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“Following this report, a comprehensive investigation is underway. If anyone else has been approached by a man in concerning circumstances that has caused them to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed then I would urge them to come forward.

I would ask the public to avoid speculating about any further incidents on social media and report any information directly to the police on 101.”