HE has been at the helm as York enjoyed two years of falling crime rates, but today The Press can reveal the city’s top cop is leaving.

Chief Superintendent Iain Spittal has been promoted from his role of area commander of York and Selby to become Chief of Staff for North Yorkshire Police.

He was appointed area commander in 2006 and the city has since seen a drop in overall crime in 2007 of nine per cent and this year of more than 4.5 per cent.

This year has seen more than 1,000 fewer crimes committed across the York and Selby areas, with 23,239 crimes committed from November 1 last year to October 31 this year, down from 24,356 the year before.

In York alone, there has been a 38 per cent reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour to 11,119 incidents in 2007/8.

The new Chief of Staff for North Yorkshire Police, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working across the city of York and Selby district.

“The hard work and commitment of North Yorkshire Police staff has been added to by the commitment to partnership working demonstrated by both York city and Selby district councils, along with an ever growing number of people across the community who are prepared to volunteer to work with us to make their community safer.

“While I will miss working here, I leave with confidence in the team which remains and know that they will strive to make the area even safer.”

During his time Chief Supt Spittal and his team have overseen:

* The introduction and use of Tasers in the city.

* Operation Shadow, which saw prolific offenders followed by undercover officers.

* A concerted effort to tackle race-hate crime.

* Re-engagement between the police’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the community, including becoming chairman of the Safer York Partnership, an organisation comprising North Yorkshire Police, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, Selby and York Primary Care Trust, North Yorkshire Probation Service and North Yorkshire Police Authority.

* Heavy involvement in the Feeling And Being Safe In York campaign, which has seen two- thirds of the city’s residents express their confidence in the police force.

Jane Mowat, director of the Safer York Partnership, said: “Iain has made a big impact in York. The drive and leadership Iain has brought to the partnership has cemented the relationship with us and the police.

“We have seen consistent drops in crime year on year and the work Iain has done will set us in good stead to tackle the challenges of the coming years, including possible rises in crime connected with the economic downturn.

“We are sure that Iain will turn his customary enthusiasm and commitment to his new role and make a success of that too.”


In the hot seat

CHIEF of Staff Spittal will be succeeded in the short term by Acting Chief Superinten-dent Steve Tarn.

He said: ”It has been a pleasure working alongside Iain both on a personal and professional level over the past two years. He is the consummate police professional who has put in place a strong committed team in the York and Selby area.

“I feel privileged to take over the lead of an exceptional workforce, albeit on a temporary basis.”