Police are investigating a sergeant who apparently attempted to used his position to influence a council decision over plans for a skate park in memory of Isaac Nash.
Sgt Austen Brook, who is believed to live close to the proposed park at Highburton recreation ground, made a submission to Kirklees Council before the Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee met at Dewsbury Town Hall to discuss the proposal, which has split the community.
In the submission Sgt Brook said crime and anti-social behaviour is a “clear and evident” issue in the area, and said the geography and layout of the proposed site went against the principles of crime prevention through environmental design.
But West Yorkshire Police had already supported the application and when officers found out about Sgt Brook’s submission, a local inspector was sent to the meeting to officially withdraw it.
Police say Sgt Brook’s submission is being looked into.
In a statement released just before Thursday’s meeting, Supt Paul Jeffrey, of Kirklees Police, said: “West Yorkshire Police supports this application and had made a supportive submission to the planning department at Kirklees Council.
“A further submission was made by a Kirklees officer but this is not the official position of West Yorkshire Police and the local inspector will be attending the meeting to officially withdraw this.
“Enquires are continuing into the second submission.”
Insp Mark Trueman, who attended the planning meeting, said Sgt Brook’s submission wasn’t a true reflection of the force’s approach to community engagement.
The Isaac Nash Trust submitted new plans to Kirklees Council in April for the park after its original proposal was rejected last year.
The plans were originally submitted after the community raised £100,000 after the 12-year-old was tragically swept to sea during a family holiday to Anglesey in August 2014.
But the scheme has caused divisions within the community, and some residents voiced concerns over the potential for anti-social behaviour.
Sgt Brook’s submission was headed “Report from Police Sergeant Austen Brook” and was signed off “PS Brook, Rural Patrol Team 4, Holmfirth Police Station.”
It said: “A trawl of our incident computer system (STORM) has shown reports of crime, anti-social behaviour and nuisance youth-related incidents consistently being reported in the last few years.”
He said in the last 12 months there have been reports of youths using unlicensed motorbikes in the area, reports of drug use/supplying, a man arrested for possessing a large hunting knife, and reports of youths causing disturbance.
He says there are examples of skate parks in the local area, such as Skelmanthorpe, having to be relocated as a result of crime and anti-social behaviour.
And he adds: “The location of the proposed site makes the policing of any incidents challenging and near impossible.”
