SelbyPost 17 January 2013. - Global Title

Security fears at
fire ravaged site
Thursday, January 17th, 2013
Calls have been made for security to be stepped up
at Abbey Leisure Centre following incidents of
vandalism.
Concerns have been raised that youngsters breaking
into the site might be putting themselves in danger
due to the state of the building, which was ravaged by
a huge fire last year and is due for demolition.
Residents living near the Scott Road site told the
Selby Post there had been rumours of break-ins at the
leisure centre and that items such as copper piping
had been stolen.
There were also fears that security at the site had
been relaxed in recent weeks.
But the district council and Selby Police said there
had been no incidents since before Christmas.
The council also claimed that the few break-ins
which had occurred had been instances of minor
vandalism, and that security was tight.
A council spokeswoman said: "The site of the
Snap sums up
festive feeling
This fantastic photo capturing the Selby high street in all its decorous
Christmas glory has been named the winner of a photographic
competition.
The picture, taken by Karen Mitchell from York, was entered into a
competition run by S.O.S Selby, the online residents' action group set up to
restore pride back to the town.
The group launched the competition last November to help promote the
town centre.
The theme was 'Selby Town Autumn/Winter 2012'.
Sean Lumley, of S.O.S Selby, said: "There wasn't a huge response at first
due to all the gloomy weather, but late in December the entries started
flooding in.
"We held a similar competition in the spring which was also very popular.
More competitions will be held throughout this year sponsored by local
businesses in the area."
by Nick Towle
former Abbey Leisure Centre has been a target for
some minor vandalism. However, we haven't had any
incidents reported to us in recent weeks. The building
is secure and receives regular security patrols.
"Demolition work at the site will begin shortly. In
the meantime, we will continue to work closely with
the police to monitor the situation."
A spokeswoman for Selby Police said there had
been a few incidents before Christmas when teenagers
had been found trespassing on the site.
She said that, as far as police were aware, there had
been no metal thefts.
She added, however, that the building was in such a
bad state of repair that it was hard to ascertain what, if
anything, had been stolen.
She said that police were concerned about the level
of security on the site.
"Our concern is that it is empty and sometimes there
appears to be no security on," added the
spokeswoman.
"After the fire there was 24-hour security, but we
haven't seen any vehicles there for a while."
She said that, although the gates to the site were
locked, there were concerns that youngsters might be
getting in through the back.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said:
"The centre is not very secure and is only patrolled
every now and then.
"The main concern is that kids could gain access and
severely hurt themselves. Selby District Council may
be liable if someone hurts themselves on the site, even
if they are trespassing.
"I know that the demolition is going to happen
soon, but it's quite a worrying situation none the less."
The council has submitted a planning application
for demolition of the leisure centre, which was gutted
by fire last February and will be rebuilt at a cost of
about £9 million. The rebuild is due to take place some
time next month.
The winner of the autumn/winter competition was chosen on New Year's Day
by Lrb Trophies of Selby, run by Steve Butler (pictured above), who presented
Karen with an engraved trophy for producing the best picture. (17-01-33/34 SU)
PAGE SEVEN
£9,000
benefit
cheat
A Selby woman has admitted
fraudulently claiming more than £9,000
in benefits.
Kelly Robey (23), of Deacon Court,
appeared at Selby Magistrates' Court on
Tuesday when she was given a sixmonth
community and supervision
order.
She was also made to pay £390
towards the prosecution costs incurred
by Selby District Council.
Ms Robey was charged with failing to
notify the council and the Department
for Work and Pensions (DWP) of a
change in her circumstances from
December 2010, with a view to falsely
obtaining benefits.
An investigation by the council's
Counter Fraud Unit had found that Ms
Robey had failed to declare that her
partner was living with her.
This resulted in a housing-benefit
overpayment of £4,694, a council-tax
benefit overpayment of £823.50, and an
income-support overpayment of £3,653.
These overpayments are being
recovered by the council and the DWP
directly from Ms Robey.
*Suspected benefit fraud can be
reported on the council's website at
www.selby.gov.uk, or by calling the
Benefit Fraud hotline on 01757 292230.
Messages can be left anonymously.
Woman
knocked
out cold
A woman was reportedly knocked
unconscious and a man lost a tooth
during a fracas outside a pub in Selby.
Troubler flared outside the Market
Tavern in Back Micklegate at about 7pm
last Tuesday, when police were called
out to reports of an assault.
Officers arrived and arrested one man
on suspicion of assault and another on
suspicion of drink-driving, driving
while disqualified and possessing an
offensive weapon.
An ambulance crew and rapidresponse
vehicle were also on the scene
after reports that a man and woman had
been injured in the incident. However,
both injured parties declined hospital
treatment.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire
Police said that a 34-year-old man from
Selby had been arrested on suspicion of
assault and bailed pending further
enquiries.
A 45-year-old man from Wakefield
had been arrested on suspicion of
possessing an offensive weapon and
was also released on bail as police
continue their enquiries into the
incident.
The Wakefield man was also charged
with the two driving matters and will
answer those charges at Selby
Magistrates' Court on January 31.