Recent press coverage in The Pontefract and Castleford Express concerning perceived levels of crime and anti-social behaviour has resulted in increased patrols in the Knottingley area.  In order to increase the impact and coverage achieved by the Neighbourhood Policing Team officers, the Knottingley / Ferrybridge team are making use of mountain bikes.  Police Community Support Officers Simon Ragsdale and Aaron Riley can now be regularly seen on their beats using their bikes.  The mountain bikes have allowed the two Police Community Support Officers to respond to incidents in a more efficient way.

In addition to the provision of mountain bikes, the Knottingley/Ferrybridge team is also to receive an additional Police Constable, to assist PC Turner and PC Banks in the two Neighbourhoods.  PC Gary Robbins is due to join the team on 1st July 2006 and will be deployed within the Knottingley / Ferrybridge area. 

On 6th June 2006 the 5 Towns Neighbourhood Policing Team attended Knottingley High School and Sports College to conduct a series of inputs to the Year 7 pupils.  These inputs covered areas such as anti-social behaviour, stop and search, criminal damage, nuisance motorcycling and alcohol and drug misuse.  The aim of the day was to increase the pupil’s awareness of these issues and the potential impact of their behaviour on their community.  This series of inputs is part of a pilot scheme being developed by the 5 Towns NPT to engage and develop young people.

Considerable progress has been made in relation to the issues of nuisance motorcycling within Broomhill Quarry, Wormersley Road, Knottingley working in conjunction with the landowner. Planned operations which have involved the stopping of persons on the site and use of Police Powers under Section 59 of The Police Reform Act 2002 to issue warnings and seize motorcycles have resulted in a reduction in calls received by the Police.  It is clear that the number of persons using the site has been greatly reduced.