CALLS are being made for CCTV to be extended to include all areas of Skipton Bus Station after a teenage boy was subjected to a serious assault.

Councillor Brian McDaid, chair of Skipton Town Council's community safety working group, said following the incident earlier this month, when a 14-year old was reportedly punched repeatedly in the face, he was making it a priority to have an additional camera installed at the bus station.

The incident happened in the early evening of Saturday, December 2, when the boy was attacked by another male who was with a group of people at the time. He suffered significant injuries to his eye socket and was taken to hospital for treatment. Police have made an appeal for witnesses and information.

Cllr McDaid said: "I raised the concerns from residents about CCTV in the area and that it doesn’t cover the back end of the bus station. The CCTV in the town is funded by Skipton BID to support the businesses in that location which is why it doesn’t currently cover all of the bus station.

"Overall, the CCTV installed by BID is working well and has been used to good effect when there have been incidents, though for the deterrent of anti-social behaviour, it’s essential we have coverage in as many places as possible.

"Therefore, I proposed we make it a priority for a camera to be funded for the back area of the bus station, which would immediately join the same network system already in place across the town."

He added: "Skipton BID would fund the monitoring and maintenance of the camera, while Skipton Town Council and North Yorkshire Council, with other appropriate agencies within the community safety working group, will look at ways to fund the new camera. I have ensured this is made a priority and we will update the community on the progress."

Cllr McDaid said since the community safety group was set up in September 2022, there had been a reduction of anti-social crime in the town, and added 'despite the challenges of resource, our local police service work tirelessly to ensure our community is safe'.

He said: "As I said at the start of setting up this group, we will not change things overnight, but I am pleased with the progress so far, especially the engagement with everyone involved. We will continue to focus on improving the safety of our town for everyone, with our next objectives looking at what we can to help support older people in our community."

Meanwhile, a 'youth bus' is set to return to Skipton next year following a successful trial in the summer.

The Inspire Youth Yorkshire charity bus visited the town once a week due to an incentive by the community safety working group which managed to secure funding from North Yorkshire Council.

The group has now secured more funding to make the bus visits permanent and is currently firming up plans with the charity.

Cllr McDaid, said as part of its aim to work with police and others to help improve safety for all, it was essential to provide more provisions for young people.

"The (youth) bus came to the town one night a week where their focus was to build relationships and hear the voices of young people. The volunteers from the service were then able to share their opinions with myself, who also volunteered with the team during the trial period, about the future of youth provision in Skipton.

"Due to the success of this trial, we have been successful in applying for funding to make this permanent and currently in discussion with Inspire Youth Yorkshire about how this will be implemented in 2024 across the town."

The group is also proposing a community event on May 5 next year at Sandylands Sports Centre in order to 'promote the positives' of the town, and has been working closely with Skipton Youth Council.

Anyone with any questions for the community safety group can email Cllr McDaid at: cllr.brian.mcdaid@skiptontowncouncil.gov.uk