Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

North Yorkshire Council: Five things that have changed in Harrogate

It’s one year since the launch of North Yorkshire Council reshaped local government in the Harrogate district.

The authority replaced the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council with the promise of making savings.

The changes in governance were far reaching, from taxi licensing to planning decisions.

The Stray Ferret has looked at the areas which have changed under North Yorkshire Council’s regime since April 1, 2023.

Taxi licensing

Probably the most controversial area to be have been overhauled by the new council is the licensing of taxi cabs.

Under the authority’s harmonisation agenda, the zone which taxis could operate in was widened to county-wide.

Previously, cabbies could only trade within the Harrogate district.

However, the council overhauled its licensing policy so that taxis can now operate anywhere in North Yorkshire.

In theory, the move would allow drivers to pick up business across the county.

Photo of Ripon taxi driver Richard Fieldman

Richard Fieldman, who runs his taxi in Ripon.

But some drivers did not see it that way.

Richard Fieldman, who operated his taxi cab in Ripon for 28 years, said the move would see quieter areas deprived of taxis during the busier times.

Planning decisions

One notable change under the new council is the overhaul of planning decisions.

Following its inception, the council created local area constituency committees which are made up of councillors from a particular area.

These committees also took on planning powers, but only for applications under 500 homes.

Any development which is above 500 homes or is a major employment site proposal goes before the council’s strategic planning committee, which meets in Northallerton.

In September 2023, a controversial plan to build a motorway service station off the A1(M) near Boroughbridge was referred to the council’s main committee instead of Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee.

Tourism

Much like most areas which effect Harrogate, tourism is also being slowly absorbed into the new council.

The district’s tourism body Destination Harrogate was set up by Harrogate Borough Council and transferred to North Yorkshire Council on April 1 last year. So far, all employees have kept their jobs and are still working from Harrogate.

However, the organisation has fallen under a county-wide review as the new authority looks to move towards a different structure.

North Yorkshire Council is now joining with City of York Council to create a new Local Visitor Economy Partnership for York and North Yorkshire.

Double devolution

One of the cornerstones of the Conservative leadership of North Yorkshire Council’s campaign for a single-authority was the pledge to let local people take control of local assets.

The promise came in the shape of the council’s double devolution agenda.

It would see town and parish councils given powers over local assets such as markets, car parks and public toilets.

The authority revealed in October that Knaresborough Town Council and Ripon City Council were chosen to advance bids to take control over some of their assets.

Knaresborough Town Council’s application to manage the town’s markets, storage facility and associated assets such as road closure signs is being progressed to a full business case.

Meanwhile, the council has considered a project team to work with Ripon City Council on its bid as it was deemed “particularly ambitious”.

It included management of Ripon Town Hall, Market Place and Car Park, public toilets within the city and the Wakeman’s House listed building.

Council tax harmonisation

As part of its harmonisation plans, the council also sought to level out council tax across North Yorkshire.

This saw the rate which people pay in the Harrogate district equalled with that in Ryedale, Richmondshire, Scarborough, Hambleton and Craven.

At the time, Harrogate’s council tax was the highest in North Yorkshire at £1,723.27 for the year.

A decision was taken to bring council tax levels up to Harrogate’s rate in order to raise £11.3 million.

Councillors had considered bringing down rates in line with the lowest amount at the time, which was Hambleton – however, council officials warned this would see annual funding raised by bills fall by £21 million.

Former Harrogate district MP takes up consultancy role

A former Harrogate district MP is set to advise UK and overseas firms as a consultant less than two years after leaving government.

Nigel Adams, who resigned as Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty in June 2023, has set up his own independent consultancy company to advise firms on IT and telecommunications.

Mr Adams, whose constituency included villages including Spofforth and Follifoot in the Harrogate district and was minister without portfolio under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, sought advice from the government’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.

According to letters from Acoba, he intends to work with companies such as Berlin-based Better Earth Partners and Warwickshire communications firm, CloudClevr Holdings Ltd.

His work would involve “providing advice and consulting services” to firms and organisations in the UK and abroad.

Lord Pickles, who chairs the committee, told Mr Adams that while it would not be “improper” for him to set up a consultancy firm, he would be required to consult Acoba on each commission he takes on.

He said:

“It would not be improper for you to operate a consultancy which draws on generic skills and experience you gained from your time in government.

“The potential risks in this case are hard to quantify given the broad and wide ranging nature of the consultancy; and you had access to a wide range of sensitive information and insight whilst in office.

“The committee considered you could offer a potential unfair advantage over competitors- whether in relation to seeking new clients, or in providing them with advice.”

Lord Pickles added that the cabinet office had no concerns over Mr Adams’ access to sensitive information given the time passed since he was a minister.

However, Mr Adams’ was warned not to become “personally involved in lobbying the UK government or any of its arm’s length bodies” in the two years from his last day in ministerial office for either of the companies he is involved with.

The former MP resigned with immediate effect in June 2023 after Boris Johnson stood down as Prime Minister.

Mr Adams, who was a key ally of Mr Johnson, said at the time that he will not stand again at the next election.

Harrogate hospital to review staff miscarriage support

Harrogate District Hospital is set to review its staff policies after the NHS announced plans to give paid leave for miscarriages.

This month, officials at NHS England revealed proposals to offer 10 days paid leave to staff who miscarry in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The move comes as part of the organisation’s new pregnancy and baby loss policy.

Angela Wilkinson, director of people and culture at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said it already offered support to staff, including paid leave, in the event of losing a baby.

However, she added that the trust would review its policies in light of NHS England’s new guidelines to see what further support it could offer.

She said:

“The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is extremely important to us at HDFT. A miscarriage is a traumatic experience and any colleague who sadly loses a child is treated with care and compassion, and offered the support they need at such a difficult time.

“It is important that we give someone who experiences a miscarriage time to grieve and process what has happened. The policies we have in place at HDFT currently do provide specific support and paid time off in the event of baby loss.

“We will review NHS England’s new pregnancy and baby loss policy to assess how we can further strengthen the support we currently offer those colleagues who sadly experience such a tragedy.”

The move to roll out the policy by NHS England comes after it was first introduced by Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust in May 2023.

The trust, which provides health services in Hull and East Yorkshire, said it implemented the policy as a “compassionate move” for its staff.

Explained: How will North Yorkshire’s mayor work?

The first mayor of York and North Yorkshire will be in charge of multi-million pounds of devolved money, have powers over transport and skills and be tasked with banging the drum for the county.

Six candidates from around North Yorkshire have put their names forward to campaign for the position.

But, despite an election being just six weeks away, enthusiasm for the mayor among the public appears low.

Part of this may be down to a lack of understanding over what a mayor does, how they make decisions and who will scrutinise them.

This week, the Stray Ferret spoke to James Farrar, director of economy and interim head of paid service at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, to clear up some of those questions.

How will decisions be made?

Perhaps one of the confusing aspects of devolution is the difference between the combined authority and the mayor.

Mr Farrar explained that the authority is the legal entity which holds the money given by government.

The mayor will chair the authority, meaning he or she will be responsible for ensuring that decisions on public money are made properly through the combined authority board.

Mr Farrar explained:

“In simple terms, the mayor becomes the chair of the combined authority.

“The combined authority is the legal entity, which is able to hold and manage the money and make the investments.”

James Farrar

The mayor will have their own priorities, which they will be responsible for. But any decision will be put before the combined authority board.

For example, should the mayor want to set up a mayoral development corporation — which is an organisation set up to regenerate a defined area — it would need to be put before the board for approval.

The board itself will be made up of leaders and deputy leaders from both Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire Council and Labour-controlled City of York Council.

Any decision would need to be made by simple majority, but the mayor has to be on the “winning side”.

This, Mr Farrar says, will prevent any one side from “ganging up” on each other.

He said:

“The two local authorities cannot gang up on the mayor and do something that the mayor does not want to do. The mayor has always got to be on the supportive side of the vote.

“But, if an investment is in North Yorkshire then they also need North Yorkshire to support it. If it is based in York, then they would need York to support it.

“That’s the backstop that we have got to make sure we have that collaborative approach.”

How will the mayor be scrutinised?

Aside from the combined authority board, there are other committees which scrutinise the mayor’s decision making.

As a legal requirement, the body has an overview and scrutiny committee made up of other councillors from York and North Yorkshire from all political parties.

The committee will act as checks and balances on the mayor and combined authority’s activities.

The mayor, who will be paid an £81,300 a year allowance, could also have their own staff.

They may also appoint a political advisor and communications officer.

Staff from the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will also be transferred to support the mayor once they take on police and crime powers.

However, the mayor may wish to delegate those responsibilities to a deputy mayor.

Voters across North Yorkshire will go to the polls on May 2 to elect the first ever mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

A combined authority report published in January revealed that the election is set to cost taxpayers £2.2 million.

Voters have until midnight on April 16 to register to vote for the mayor.

Who is standing for mayor?

Pateley Bridge man and former police officer Keith Tordoff will stand as an independent.

The Green Party has chosen councillor and former soldier Kevin Foster as its candidate.

The Conservative Party has picked Malton councillor and ex-journalist Keane Duncan, who is currently in charge of transport at North Yorkshire Council.

Labour has chosen local business owner and chair of the York High Street Forum David Skaith.

Swinton Park owner Felicity Cunliffe-Lister will stand for the Liberal Democrats.

Harrogate resident and North Yorkshire councillor, Paul Haslam, will stand as an independent candidate after resigning from the Conservative Party.

Harrogate needs ‘collective approach’ to town centre problems, says MP

Harrogate needs a “collective approach” to tackling problems in the town centre, says Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP.

This week, the Stray Ferret revealed how town-centre traders feel about anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and threats to staff through our unprecedented Trading Hell survey.

We also took a deep dive into crime data, heard from Harrogate Homeless Project about the limits constraining the charity sector’s response and put concerns over trader confidence to North Yorkshire Police.

Nearly all of the businesses who responded to our survey agreed that anti-social behaviour was an issue in the town centre.

The Stray Ferret asked local politicians how they felt about our findings and what they feel could be done to tackle some of Harrogate’s problems.

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the issues as complex and in need of a collective approach to tackle them.

He said:

“Although Harrogate is by any measure a safe town that does not mean we do not have our problems. We do and the Stray Ferret articles highlighted some of these.

“The interviews with the BID, the police, the Harrogate Homeless Project and other organisations highlighted the need for a collective approach to dealing with these issues.

“For example, simply asking the police to move street beggars from one street to the next does not tackle the underlying issues with which that person needs help.It may be a housing issue, a benefits issue, it might be a mental or physical health problem, it might be addiction, it might a criminal justice issues such as county lines drug dealing.

“We need to look on a case-by-case basis and decide which interventions are going to be most effective to support that individual so that they do not feel that street begging is the only or the most viable option for them to address their circumstances. We need to support them into a stable situation with their home, job, health and personal life.

“So these are complex issues and a complex approach involving many different groups is required to solve them.”

Mr Jones added that he would continue to meet with businesses and organisations to listen to concerns over the problems in the town.

He said:

“We all have the same objective. To continue to have a vibrant town centre where we see brilliant events, our trademark independent shops thrive alongside branded stores, where we feel safe as retailers and customers and where our town attracts tourists to provide the footfall businesses need.

“I meet regularly with the organisations who have contributed to this series of articles and will be doing so again to continue discussing how we can work together to achieve that objective. I hope the Stray Ferret will repeat their survey in a year’s time so we can see how effective the solutions we develop as a town centre community are.”

More comprehensive strategies needed

Meanwhile, Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency, said the issues had been raised with him on the doorstep.

He said:

“Over the last few weeks and months this is something that has come up more frequently on the doorsteps and in my inbox. Retail employees make a huge contribution to our society and economy and they are the life blood of our town. Abuse against retail staff has an incredibly serious impact on those who experience it.

“The Liberal Democrats recognise that the UK government are asking shop workers to enforce the law themselves; they are enforcing the law on age-restricted products such as alcohol, games, DVDs and more.

“For retail workers specifically, we believe that where they are enforcing the law (e.g. minimum age for alcohol) or acting to prevent/detect crime (e.g. detaining a shoplifter), the law should give them extra protection.

“That’s why the Liberal Democrats are backing the measures in the Criminal Justice Bill to create a new statutory offence of assaulting, threatening, or abusing a retail worker, allowing for the aggravation of that offence where the retail worker is seeking to enforce a statutory age restriction.”

Tom Gordon.

However, Mr Gordon said more comprehensive strategies would be needed to tackle the issues in Harrogate.

He added:

“I welcome and support the efforts of Harrogate BID and other organisations working to tackle these problems, including initiatives such as the Report a Crime campaign. However, it’s clear that more comprehensive strategies are required.

“We also need to do more to look at and address the root causes of anti-social behaviour, such as substance abuse and homelessness. This requires an evidence based approach that is multifaceted and takes into account access to support services, mental health resources, and addiction treatment.”

Harrogate Town set for Yorkshire derby against Bradford City

Harrogate Town are set for a crunch Yorkshire derby today as they take on Bradford City.

The Bantams will travel to the EnviroVent Stadium for the 1pm kick-off off the back of three straight defeats.

Meanwhile, Town will be hoping to kick into form with eight games left as they sit six points off the play-off places .

Harrogate manager Simon Weaver said the club had sold “a lot of tickets” for the fixture and was expecting one of its record attendances.

He said:

“It’s an early kick-off and that is different in itself.

“We have always had good games between the two teams and we’re very much looking forward to this as much as the previous ones.”

He added:

“We need to get this last batch of games off to a positive start and there’s no better game to do that in than against Bradford.”

The two sides are separated by a single point in the EFL League Two table.

However, Bradford go into the game off the back of three home defeats in a row after a six-game unbeaten run.

Graham Alexander, who took over from Mark Hughes as City manager in November, will be hoping to turn the club’s form around in time to mount a late play-off push.

Town will still be without Lewis Thomas, Sam Folarin and Liam Gibson for the fixture.

Reform UK announces Wetherby and Easingwold parliamentary candidate

Reform UK has announced Mike Jordan will stand as its candidate in Wetherby and Easingwold at the next general election.

The new constituency was created as part of parliamentary boundary changes announced by government and will include locations including Boroughbridge, Spofforth and Bishop Monkton in the Harrogate district.

The next general election, which has to be held no later than January 28, 2025, will be the first time the seat will be contested.

Mr Jordan, who has been a North Yorkshire councillor for 15 years, resigned from both the Conservative Party and Yorkshire Party before joining Reform UK.

He said:

“I am delighted to be chosen to contest Wetherby and Easingwold in the forthcoming general election.”

The Wetherby and Easingwold seat.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party has chosen current Elmet and Rothwell MP, Alec Shelbrooke, to stand for the constituency.

Mr Jordan becomes the latest Reform UK candidate to stand for election in the Harrogate district.

The party announced Richard Brown as its candidate in Harrogate and Knaresborough and Simon Garvey will stand in Skipton and Ripon.

The right-wing party was founded as the Brexit Party with support from Nigel Farage in 2018.

It was renamed in 2021 and is now led by Richard Tice.

The party announced last year that it would field candidates in every UK parliament constituency at a general election.

Trading Hell: ‘We cannot force people to do something’, says homeless charity

Yesterday, we outlined the statistics on Harrogate town centre crime and revealed a shocking increase in shoplifting.

The figures matter because crime data influences where police use their resources.

Traders in Harrogate have low confidence that reports of offences such as drug taking, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting will be dealt with.

They also point the finger at particular groups who they feel to a greater or lesser extent are responsible for issues in the town, such as rough sleepers and young people.

Aside from the police, there are multiple agencies in Harrogate from probation to mental health services who help to support those people and try to steer them away from committing anti-social behaviour.

One of the charities that has caught the traders’ attention due to its proximity to town is Harrogate Homeless Project.

The Stray Ferret visited the centre to speak to its senior staff about the issues in the town and how they support rough sleepers.

Rough sleepers

The charity is well-known in the town for its services for the homeless, such as its Springboard Day Centre in the Wesley Chapel and its hostel on Bower Road.

The day centre is described as “one stop shop” for people to get daily services, such as cooked meals and healthcare, while the hostel is the charity’s overnight accommodation.

Francis McAllister, chief executive at the charity, said the project was well aware of the concerns of businesses in relation to rough sleepers.

As previously reported, there have been flashpoints in the town in recent years with businesses complaining over rough sleepers causing anti-social behaviour at Crescent Gardens and at the back of Primark.

Giuliano Achilli and Francis McAllister.

In an effort to build bridges with traders, the charity has given out a direct number for its head of client services, Giuliano Achilli, should they have issues with people considered to be rough sleeping.

Sometimes the charity will know who the people are and ask them to move on.

Mr McAllister said:

“We will always support other organisations. Giuliano will go and speak to them and some times they will listen to him more than others. The majority of businesses have his number.

“We know that it is an issue and we know that it annoys people.”

But the charity can only do so much.

It will offer those sleeping rough in the town support with accommodation, cooked meals and health. However, if they do not accept then that is the extent of its power.

Mr Achilli said:

“I cannot force people to do something.”

Mr McAllister explains that a lot of those who sleep rough have “deep rooted” issues and lead chaotic lives.

The project is there to support them and the wider area – this includes helping police if any of the people using the service commit a crime, such as drug misuse or anti-social behaviour.

But one property owner feels the charity could do more.

Russell Davidson, who owners three blocks of property on nearby Oxford Street, said he believed the project should confiscate alcohol from people who use the charity.

“I’ve spoken to the man who monitors the CCTV there, and he says they hand in the booze when the going into Harrogate Homeless Project, because they have to as a condition of being admitted.

“But then Francis gives them their booze back when the leave in the morning – and they’re out on the streets again. They shouldn’t be given their booze back – it should be taken off them as a condition of having a meal, a shower and a bed for the night.”

However, Mr McAllister said the charity had no legal powers to confiscate property and that such a move would not be a solution for people with addictions.

In response, he said:

“They are people who are disadvantaged, living in poverty and frequently addicted to alcohol and/or drugs sometimes both. The Springboard Day Centre is there to support these people who are trying to live a normal life.

“They have rights – the same as every other citizen – we offer the opportunity for other agencies to meet with them and create the opportunity to engage with services that can help them.

“Harrogate Homeless Project does not have the legal powers to confiscate property even if we wanted to, nor are we about searching people that we are seeking to help. What is suggested is not a solution.

“If anyone wants to buy alcohol it is readily available in the centre of Harrogate. The long-term solution is to spend time, effort and cash to help people manage their addictions and develop the skills to maintain a home which will get them permanently off the streets. It is difficult, it takes time, it takes resources and that is what we do.”

Young people

Rough sleepers are not the only group of people that traders feel cause issues in the town. They also pointed to young people as being part of the problem.

Teenagers have been involved in high profile incidents in the town which have led to the courts being involved.

In January 2022, police arrested three boys, aged 14, 15 and 17, after reports of young people on the roof of Harrogate Theatre at 4am.

The theatre was undergoing a £1 million refurbishment to its roof at the time.

The boys later appeared before North Yorkshire youth court and all admitted damaging scaffolding to the value of £300 and causing £500 damage to a Ford transit van belonging to nearby Scandinavian cafe Baltzersen’s.

Traders have also complained of school children “flooding” the town centre, which they say leaves them on guard for any potential thefts.

North Yorkshire Council runs youth services which aim to prevent reoffending and give a proportionate response to crimes committed by young people.

Specifically, the authority runs what is called a youth outcomes panel.

The panel, which is a partnership between police, North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service and York Youth Offending Team, decides what action, if any, is most appropriate to pursue.

It also encourages a restorative approach with victims and looks to address the causes of the young person’s offending.

The Stray Ferret requested an interview with youth services at North Yorkshire Council to ask what is being done to prevent young people offending in the town and whether it felt anti-social behaviour was a problem in the area.

We received the following statement from Mel Hutchinson, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for children and families:

“As a children and families service, we regularly meet with our partners and have not been advised of concerns relating to anti-social behaviour of children or young people (up to 18 years) in Harrogate town centre and neither have our locality teams who are based in the town.

“North Yorkshire Youth are commissioned by us to deliver a programme of activities for 10 to 17-year-olds across the county, supporting voluntary projects, clubs and providing 17 youth clubs within communities. Further details can be found at https://nyy.org.uk/

“We also work in partnership with the Office of Police Fire and Crime Commissioner (OFPCC) and our community safety partnership to secure additional funding to deliver a targeted preventative programme for children aged 10 to 17 years, who get into trouble with the law, helping them to stay away from crime.

“Over the last three years, funding has been secured from the Ministry of Justice, the OFPCC and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for a targeted early intervention scheme called. The Change Direction/Turnaround Programme. The aim of the programme is to prevent young people aged from 10 to 17 from becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour by offering them and their families support. Children, including those open to the Youth Justice Service, can be referred onto the programme.

“In addition, our Early Help – Children and Families Services work closely with schools to ensure children, young people and their families receive the right support at the right time to stop problems escalating. The service is also available to children and their families in North Yorkshire who have been referred to us.”

Who has responsibility?

In this report, we have focused on two agencies who help to tackle a complex issue in Harrogate – but there are others which also work on the issues on a daily basis.

Despite all these different agencies supporting those responsible for some of the town’s issues, traders feel the system is simply not working.

As Harrogate Homeless Project and youth services lack any enforcement power, the extent of their support can only go so far.

Ultimately, the responsibility to enforce the law falls to the police.

Tomorrow, in an interview with chief inspector Simon Williamson, we ask the police if they could do more to give confidence to businesses in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire mayor to be paid £81,300

The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is set to be paid an allowance of £81,300 a year.

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which the elected mayor will chair, met to approve the figure yesterday (March 18) following an independent renumeration panel recommendation.

A report by the panel said the salary had to be of “sustainable value” to attract appropriately skilled candidates, but should also “note the public duty” of the role.

The figure is below that of Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, who is paid £110,000 but above the amount paid to Ben Houchen, of nearby Tees Valley, at £80,000.

The allowance will be reviewed in May 2025.

James Farrar, director of economy and interim head of paid service at the combined authority, told the Stray Ferret:

“Both City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council have an independent renumeration panel which are non-political people and experts from their region who they can call on.

“We brought them together and looked at the evidence base of what the role is, what other mayors get etc. That independent panel came forward with that recommendation and that recommendation was approved yesterday.”

In its report, the panel said it considered the level of payment to other metro mayors, the £76,300 salary of North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe, whose role will taken over by the mayor, and the responsibilities of the mayor.

The panel also noted that the average allowance for a metro mayor nationally was £86.617.

It added:

“The panel agreed that the mayor’s allowance had to be of a sustainable value, sufficient to attract and retain appropriately skilled candidates, bearing in mind the budget and level of accountability and responsibility that the mayor will have across the York and North Yorkshire region, whilst also noting the public duty and nature of the role.”

Voters across North Yorkshire will go to the polls on May 2 to elect the first ever mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

A combined authority report published in January revealed that the election is set to cost taxpayers £2.2 million.

Who is standing for mayor?

Pateley Bridge man and former police officer Keith Tordoff will stand as an independent.

The Green Party has chosen councillor and former soldier Kevin Foster as its candidate.

The Conservative Party has picked Malton councillor and ex-journalist Keane Duncan, who is currently in charge of transport at North Yorkshire Council.

Labour has chosen local business owner and chair of the York High Street Forum David Skaith.

Swinton Park owner Felicity Cunliffe-Lister will stand for the Liberal Democrats.

This week, Harrogate resident and North Yorkshire councillor, Paul Haslam, announced he will stand as an independent candidate after resigning from the Conservative Party.

Photo: Mayoral candidates (clockwise, from top left) Keane Duncan, David Skaith, Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Paul Haslam, Kevin Foster and Keith Tordoff

Trading Hell: Shocking rise in shoplifting in Harrogate town centre

Yesterday, we heard traders concerns that anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are getting worse, but do the official statistics back these experiences?

Our Trading Hell survey showed that traders feel that incidents of shoplifting, drug misuse and general anti-social behaviour are far too common.

Traders also expressed a deep sense of frustration that not enough is being done to make our shopping streets the safe and pleasant places they used to be.

The Stray Ferret has examined official statistics for the “hotspot” areas identified in our survey.

Shocking rise in shoplifting

Among the areas of most concern for traders has been shoplifting, which 78% say is an issue.

The Stray Ferret has found that statistics show a shocking rise in the number of reported incidents to police.

Our research of the force’s own data found that in 2022, 139 reports of shoplifting in the town centre were made.

In the same period last year, this increased by 66% to 232.

Concern over the problem have been heightened following incidents of thefts worth hundreds of pounds on Beulah Street and Commercial Street last year.

Another incident in November 2023 saw a “prolific shoplifter” threaten staff in Asda on Bower Road after staff tried to stop her stealing two bottles of alcohol.

One business owner told us:

“I’ve seen a group of five people coming out of the shop next door with armfuls of hangers, just walking off. Not even running. The security guard couldn’t do anything. They just told him to f*** off.”

Anti-social behaviour

Much of traders concerns centre around anti-social behaviour, a term which often can capture various different issues.

The police define anti-social behaviour as “someone acting in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people not living in the same household”.

According to the force’s own data, in the 12 months to January 2024, a total of 285 reports were made to police in those hotspot areas.

This compares with 261 incidents in the same period in 2022.

While this is a slight increase, almost every business of the 50 which were surveyed (96%) told us that anti-social behaviour is a problem – only two said it isn’t.

Organisations such as Harrogate BID feel not enough businesses are reporting what is really happening.

One reason is a lack of confidence among traders that the police will act.

One business owner told us:

“Ring for thefts – not interested. Ring for feeling unsafe out the back of our courtyard due to large group of kids smoking weed and intimidating staff, and drunks – nothing done after ringing several times for numerous incidents.”

It means that the true picture of just how much of an issue anti-social behaviour is in the town is unlikely to be reflected in the figures.

Although shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are among the most concerning issues, there are other offences which crop up in the statistics such as violence and sexual offences.

Last year, a total of 99 reports of violent and sexual offences were reported to police in the “hotspot” areas identified in our survey. This compares to 98 in the previous year.

The most high profile of those incidents was a report of a serious sexual assault in the town centre which saw police cordon off areas of James Street, Petergate and Market Place on October 5, 2023.

Rough sleeping, street drinking and drugs

Among the other areas of concern raised in our survey was rough sleeping (70%), street drinking (74%) and drug taking (66%).

Traders feel that these three issues are part of a wider problems currently affecting the town.

According to police data, reports of drugs, which includes possession, consumption and supply, has fallen slightly from 44 in 2022 to 40 last year.

The force themselves said Harrogate has a “low level” of drug offences for a town of its size.

Paul Rawlinson, who owns Baltzersen’s and Bakeri Baltzersens on Oxford Street, told us that the issue of rough sleeping is most pronounced in the summer when it is a “more comfortable option”.

A rough sleeper outside Primark in Harrogate town centre.

According to a freedom of information request from North Yorkshire Council, last year three females and 27 males were counted as sleeping rough in the Harrogate town centre area.

The council said all except eight of those were provided with alternative accommodation.

It added that the rough sleeping count for each year “could represent the same people where accommodation has been secured and then lost”.

There have been flashpoints over the last couple of years where businesses and residents have complained of people sleeping rough causing issues in their area.

In November 2022, concern was raised over rough sleeping, street begging and drinking at the back of Primark on Oxford Street.

At the time, Harrogate Borough Council said three “entrenched, long-term” rough sleepers had been sleeping overnight in the area.

The authority sought to assure residents and businesses that those gathering in the area had been offered accommodation, but was turned down. Those gathered there later accepted support.

Similarly, in November 2023, North Yorkshire Council erected fencing at a pavilion at Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens after rough sleepers occupied the area and returned twice after being dispersed.

The Stray Ferret followed the saga closely after nearby residents, who complained of anti-social behaviour during the group’s encampment. Many sympathised with the rough sleepers but wanted to know what long-term measures would be put in place on the site.

Why the stats matter?

Whether the statistics reflect the true picture is a significant issue because police crime figures determine how much resource is given to tackling a problem. The figures mean Harrogate is still designated as a low crime area by the police, despite the trader’s experiences.

On Thursday, we will be asking the force whether they could do more to tackle Harrogate’s problems and give confidence to the traders to report crimes.

But there are other agencies who work with the police to support people who traders feel to a greater or lesser extent are involved in some of the town’s issues. Those who help support the homeless and have responsibilities for youth justice.

Tomorrow, we look at the agencies outside of police enforcement who are involved in supporting people considered to be part of Harrogate’s issues.

Taxi licensing

Planning decisions

Tourism

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Double devolution

Council tax harmonisation

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How will decisions be made?

How will the mayor be scrutinised?

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Who is standing for mayor?

More comprehensive strategies needed

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Rough sleepers

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Young people

Who has responsibility?

Who is standing for mayor?

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Shocking rise in shoplifting

Anti-social behaviour

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Rough sleeping, street drinking and drugs

Why the stats matter?