Railings are to be installed on Harrogate’s Bower Street in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Businesses and councillors have expressed concerns about persistent problems caused by people “milling around” on the street, which is the other side of the One Arch tunnel into the town centre.

The issue came to a head last Friday night when a man was stabbed on the street.

Some people have said they are frightened to walk down the street and businesses are concerned about the impact on trade.

Police say the street attracts anti-social behaviour partly because it is located close to many agencies that provide help, and also because of the street design, which encourages people to linger.

Today Harrogate Borough Council revealed it had reached an agreement with private landlords on the street to tackle the problem. It said:

“The council has facilitated negotiations with private owners including landlords and Leeds Federated Housing Association to make the area more secure and have now reached an agreement to install railings to premises on the parade of shops to reduce access.

“These areas have consistently been used as a location where people congregate and where there is evidence of repeat antisocial behaviour.”

The Stray Ferret understands the council has been negotiating for years with the landlords to take action. The council statement said:

“As the land is privately owned, negotiations have taken longer than hoped however this work will look to be progressed as a priority with partners continuing to work alongside the council.”

Read more:

• Police say Harrogate town centre ‘is safe’ despite highest anti-social behaviour rate in county
• Man charged after Harrogate stabbing

Bower Street is located close to Harrogate Conservative Club and the office of Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones.

‘Trouble for a long time’

Cllr Richard Cooper

Richard Cooper, the Conservative leader of the council and its elected member for Central Ward, who is also Mr Jones’ office manager, said:

“All of us who live or work near this location know that it has been trouble for a long time.

“While the council has worked with the police on the issues the land is privately owned and installing secure boundaries is the responsibility of the property owner.

“Nonetheless, the council and other partners recognise the impact that antisocial behaviour and criminal activity has on the quality of life of residents, businesses and the wider community.

“That is why we have offered to help the property owners secure their boundaries and I am glad agreement has been reached on how to do this.  I am grateful to the property owners for working with us on this.”

Mr Cooper added it was important to recognise “the people who congregate in these areas often have complex physical and mental health needs”, adding:

“When criminal acts are committed the legal process needs to happen.  But we also need to redouble our efforts to support agencies like Harrogate Homeless Project and Harrogate StreetAid who can provide the wrap-around support enabling people to break out of chaotic lifestyles.

“Securing this area will solve the anti-social and criminal behaviour problem at this location.  It will not, on its own, change the lifestyles of those who congregated on Bower Street.  Long-term dedicated support is the only way to do that.”

The fate of Harrogate’s Woodfield Community Primary School is to be confirmed next week after a recommendation was made to close it at the end of the year.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive will next Tuesday be asked to agree to the closure on December 31.

It comes after council officials said they “exhausted all options” to try to keep the Bilton school open after years of falling pupil numbers and an inadequate rating by Ofsted inspectors in 2020.

But parents say the school has been “badly let down” by the local education authority, while councillors have labelled the planned closure a “disgrace”.

The school reception

There was just one pupil on the school roll earlier this month after the closure plans were revealed in summer and parents were forced to start looking elsewhere ahead of the new term.

Ward councillor Paul Haslam, who is also a governor at Woodfield, said the sudden death of a former headteacher in 2018 led to instabilities at the school and that an “unfounded slur” on social media then caused an “exodus” of about a third of the pupils later that year.

He said in a letter: 

“The school was exonerated of any wrongdoing and the correct safeguarding procedures were found to have been followed and to be in place by the local authority, as they were at the Ofsted judgement.

“What failed to happen was a restoration of the reputation of the school and difficulty in getting permanent, long term leadership.

“The school did not get enough support to come back from this reputational damage.”

Cllr Haslam also argued the school should not be closing because Harrogate’s population is growing and it had made good progress since the inadequate rating in January 2020.

Read more:

• Parents vow to fight closure of ‘fantastic’ Woodfield primary school
• Woodfield school taking ‘effective action’ to improve, says Ofsted

But a report to Tuesday’s meeting said government legislation requires the school to close unless an academy sponsor can be found. Any school rated as inadequate is required to become part of an academy, but Woodfield has failed to find one to secure its future.

The school had also held merger talks with the nearby Grove Road Community Primary School, but these fell through.

If approved, the closure will mean the Woodfield catchment area will be shared with Grove Road and Bilton Grange Primary School.

The school’s debts, which were forecast to reach almost £100,000 by the end of 2022/23, will be absorbed by the council.

North Yorkshire Police has appealed to cyclists in Harrogate to be vigilant after a spate of bike thefts.

The force said in a statement it had made “four arrests of individuals in connection with burglaries across the local area” in the last few days.

It added:

“A number of bikes have been returned to their owners but we still have several which have not yet been claimed so if your bike has been stolen in the last few weeks, please get in touch by calling 101.”

The statement said thieves were targeting garden sheds. Some bikes weren’t locked while in other incidents the locks had been forced.

Read more:

• New start date for next phase of Otley Road cycle path works to be revealed
• Thieves steal seven bikes from Ripon cycle shop

Police issued the following advice to cyclists:

• Double lock it: Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target. Use two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock. Thieves are less likely to carry multiple tools, so use two different types of lock if possible.
• Lock the lot: Lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand.
• Secure it: Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.
• Take removable parts with you.
• Park securely: Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV.
• Register it: Register your frame number for free on a cycle database such as BikeRegister. The frame number is usually found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in. If your bike is ever stolen and recovered by the police, it can be traced back to you.
• Mark it: Get your bike security marked. It’s a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves. They know that if they are caught with a registered bike, the owner can be traced and they will be arrested. BikeRegister provide a list of police bike marking events. You can also mark your bike with SmartWater.
• Remember safety begins at home: Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street.
• Check ownership: Ask for proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on a cycle database such as Bike Checker at BikeRegister.
• Act fast: If your bike has been stolen, contact police as soon as possible by calling 101 or use the online reporting tool. Provide your frame number, cycle database number, a photo and any other details and make sure you update the status on the cycle database where you registered it.

Read more:

• Revealed: the three Harrogate district sites that could become investment zones
• Andrew Jones MP launches ‘non-political’ fact-checking service

Green Party rejects Mr Jones’ claims

Paul Ko Ferrigno

But Harrogate and District Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate Paul Ko Ferrigno criticised Mr Jones’ stance.

“Like his government, Mr Jones has had 12 long years to establish his green credentials, and it is on that track record that he must be judged, not some aspirational scheme that has been rushed in so quickly that councillors have not been given time to scrutinise the detail.

“It isn’t even clear that these investment zones are needed because we haven’t been told which regulations are potentially holding schemes back.”

Business support

Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon Business Improvement District, backed the county council’s submission. She said:

“Whilst the Potter Space is outside the Ripon BID area, we welcome any investment into the Ripon city region.

“The potential for more businesses and employment in the area, and therefore further footfall and spend in our BID businesses, can only be a positive and we fully support Cllr Carl Les and North Yorkshire County Council in their submission.”

However, the North Yorkshire branch of Unison took a different view:

We share the concerns of @WildlifeTrusts, and our branch committee has voted unanimously to oppose #InvestmentZones and we arw asking @northyorkscc to withdraw its interest.@AJonesMP @nadams @JulianSmithUK @JulianSturdy @RishiSunak @kevinhollinrake

@ChrisGPackham https://t.co/3oHgEsdb3u

— North Yorkshire UNISON (@NYUnison) October 15, 2022

A report has revealed the Harrogate district hotspots with the highest number of reported crimes over the last five months.

North Yorkshire Police has published a breakdown of the top offences in each ward area between May and September – and one location which has become an increasing crime concern features prominently.

Low Harrogate includes most of the town centre and perhaps unsurprisingly is named in all the top five areas for crimes including domestic violence, drug offences, robbery, burglary, sexual offences, hate crime and fraud.

But what might not come as a surprise is the fact that the ward has the highest rates of anti-social behaviour not just in the Harrogate district, but across the whole of North Yorkshire.

Despite this, police officers have insisted the town centre “is safe” and that crime overall is on the decline.

Here we look at the top hotspots broken down by each offence:

Anti-social behaviour 

Low Harrogate – 96
High Harrogate – 43
Starbeck – 35
Ripon Spa – 28
Ripon Minister – 26

North Yorkshire Police said in its report that although there are some hotspot areas, the latest crime figures “really cement that there are large parts of Harrogate which are unaffected by ASB”.

Outside of Harrogate town, the force said that Ripon Minister is “by far the busiest ward” for officers responding to reports of ASB.

It also said officers have and will use powers to deal with offences, including an ability to disperse people from a certain area for up to 48 hours.

The report added:

“Continued work is also being done across the night-time economy to ensure that those people out enjoying a drink can do so without the often-associated ASB that alcohol can attract.

“This has included use of drug dogs, increased patrols dedicated to the bars and a joint effort with licensing officers who can utilise their own powers.”

Drug crimes

Low Harrogate – 34
High Harrogate – 25
Granby – 19
Rossett – 15
Starbeck – 15

Low Harrogate again features at the top of the list for this crime and police said most drug offences tend to be within the town centre and with CCTV being used to identify individuals.

Offences in High Harrogate – which covers the area around Skipton Road north of the Empress Roundabout – tend to be vehicle stops, the report said, adding:

“We are aware there is a constant flow of drugs into the area from both home-grown dealers and those from other cities.

“Since May to the beginning of September, just within the Expedite team there have been 64 arrests and nearly 200 safeguarding visits.”

Sexual offences

Low Harrogate – 23
High Harrogate – 22
Granby – 17
Starbeck – 13
Stray – 13

North Yorkshire Police said there has been a “steady decrease” in reported sexual crimes across the district and that the vast majority of reports involve the victim knowing the suspect as a friend or family member.

The force went on to highlight concerns over nightclub spiking incidents and said there have been some suspected cases in the Harrogate area. It explained:

“We have not had any confirmed cases of drug spiking in the area despite treating several cases as possible cases.”

Read more:

• Man charged after Harrogate stabbing
• Police say Harrogate town centre ‘is safe’ despite highest anti-social behaviour rate in county

Hate crime

Low Harrogate – 36
Granby – 15
Ripon Minister – 12
High Harrogate – 10
Starbeck – 10

Across the Harrogate district, a total of 183 hate crimes have been reported between May and September, and almost half are still under investigation.

Most reported incidents involved racial hate crime, whilst others included hateful comments over people’s sexual orientation, disabilities and religion.

The report said just under 9% of incidents have resulted in court outcomes, while around a quarter were not progressed due to the victim’s wishes. The force said:

“North Yorkshire Police takes all instances of both hate crime and hate incidents extremely seriously given their hugely impactive and personal implications.”

Domestic violence

Starbeck – 99
High Harrogate – 96
Low Harrogate – 93
Granby – 91
Woodfield – 84

Starbeck had the most reported incidents of domestic violence, with High Harrogate and Low Harrogate following closely behind.

North Yorkshire Police has stressed that it takes domestic violence against both females and males seriously, adding:

“There are specialist officers that are either involved or review every incident and we take a supportive partnership approach to every incident.

“We now have a wider range of powers and tools that we can utilise to support victims and tackle offenders including domestic violence protection orders and notices.”

Robbery

Low Harrogate – 7
Starbeck – 7
High Harrogate – 6
Granby – 5
Ripon Minister – 4

There have been few robberies reported over the five-month period – and North Yorkshire Police said the joint-top hotspot Low Harrogate saw a 50% reduction in its figures when compared to the last reporting period. The force added:

“There are no linked robberies that have gone unnoticed and equally we have no repeat locations/victims or suspects that are causing increased areas of concern.”

Burglary

Low Harrogate – 31
Woodfield – 22
Saltergate – 21
Starbeck – 20
Ripon Minister – 17

Burglaries are much more common than robberies, and following national criticism on attendance and detection rates, North Yorkshire Police said it has committed to attend “all reports of dwelling burglaries unless exceptional circumstances would dictate otherwise”.

Fraud

Ripon Moorside – 47
Low Harrogate – 30
Woodfield – 29
Granby – 28
Saltergate – 27

The final crime listed in the report is fraud and Ripon Moorside – which covers the south-west of the city – comes out on top by some margin for its size.

North Yorkshire Police described fraud as an “ever evolving and growing issue” which is being driven by the reliance of technology in day-to-day lives. The force added:

“Due to our modifying world, fraud has now become the UK’s most common crime, and as a result of this, North Yorkshire Police have already committed and retained fraud as one of its force priorities.”

Two excavators have been stolen from a building site just off the A59 at Knaresborough.

The machines were taken last night from Swallowtail Way, which is near the Trinity Fields development and Aldi supermarket.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

The machines are both yellow — one is five tonnes and the other is nine tonnes.

A police statement said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, we are appealing for sightings of any suspicion people or vehicles in the vicinity of this location, or any sightings of the stolen excavators following the offence.”

Anyone with information can email Hazel.Simms-Williamson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Hazel Simms.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220185371.

Read more:

• Police say Harrogate town centre ‘is safe’ despite highest anti-social behaviour rate in county
• Tandem stolen from Knaresborough garage

Nidderdale Show in Pateley Bridge is to move permanently from its traditional Monday slot to a Sunday.

The show, which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year, was forced to change dates last month when the Queen’s funeral was arranged on the same day on Monday, September 19.

The event, which attracts about 13,000 people, was hastily brought forward by 24 hours to a Sunday.

Bewerley Park. Credit: Jemison Photographer

The weekend date proved popular and the show committee has now decided the event will be held on a Sunday annually, with September 24 scheduled for next year.

Show press officer Alex Smith said the weekend was more attractive to families and would make it easier to find stewards and judges.

She added:

“Pretty much everybody was in favour of changing it to a Sunday.

“Many people said if they had known it would be on a Sunday this year they would have entered an exhibit.

“The children’s horse riding classes had low entries — many categories will benefit if the show takes place on a Sunday because more children and families will attend.”

Nidderdale Agricultural Committee stages the event at Bewerley Park.

Read more:

• Nidderdale Show moved after date of Queen’s funeral announced
• Pateley woman, 65, completes Nidderdale triathlon alone after cancellation

Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be “bigger and better” than last year’s, organisers said today.

Destination Harrogate, which is part of Harrogate Borough Council, today revealed further details of the fayre, which will run from December 2 to 11.

Last year’s activities marked a major departure from the town’s previous seasonal offering, with the longstanding, locally-run Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill replaced by a town centre offering by the council in conjunction with Market Place Europe, a company that specialises in organising markets.

This year’s festivities will include:

• An outdoor ice skating rink, with an après ski bar offering seasonal treats and refreshments and a giant 32m Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of the surrounding area.
• A carousel, plus other children’s fairground rides, in Crescent Gardens, provided by Events By Cynosure and supported by Harrogate Borough Council’s parks and environmental services team.
• Town centre stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations and food.
• The return of the Candy Cane Express, a road train transporting people around Harrogate town centre while the market is on. The train is co-funded by Harrogate BID.
• An artisan market run by Little Bird Made in Valley Gardens on the first two weekends in December.

The Candy Cane Express will return.

John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, said:

“We’re building on the success of last year and through working in collaboration with our partners, including Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate BID, we can look forward to delivering something really special this Christmas.”

Read more:

• Harrogate council to promote Christmas with social media influencers again
• Seven places to see Santa across the Harrogate district this Christmas

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Once again, Christmas will be coming to Harrogate town centre and I for one can’t wait. Last year’s offer was a great success but I know this year’s will be even bigger and better.”

Cllr Cooper added the ice skating rink “not only offers an exciting opportunity for people of all ages to socialise but also encourages physical activity, in a magical environment”.

Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said:

“Harrogate is a beautiful and unique destination and the perfect place to enjoy our fantastic Christmas market. We’re really excited to be returning this year with an even bigger Harrogate Christmas Fayre.”

A man has been charged following a stabbing in Harrogate on Friday night, police have confirmed.

North Yorkshire Police was called to Bower Street shortly after 8pm after being alerted to an argument.

A police statement last night said:

“A man suffered a stab wound in the altercation, he was taken to hospital and is recovering well.

“A 23-year-old man from Harrogate was arrested and charged with assault on a person occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and wounding with intent.”

Read more:

• Police ‘looking into’ Harrogate stabbing claims
• Body found in River Nidd at Bilton has been identified

Police have said they are ‘looking into’ claims that a stabbing took place in Harrogate on Friday night.

The Stray Ferret received a message on Saturday morning saying a police cordon had been installed on Bower Street on Friday night.

We received subsequent messages, including one from a senior Harrogate businessman saying he was told by police at the scene that a stabbing had taken place.

We emailed North Yorkshire Police about the incident on Saturday morning but did not receive a reply. Following a subsequent email this afternoon, police said they were ‘looking into’ the matter.

The businessman, who asked not to be named, expressed concerns about the impact of persistent anti-social behaviour on residents and shops in the area. He said:

“It gets worse every single day, culminating in a stabbing last Friday.

“I walk past there everyday and know many of the residents around the area. Every day there is street drinking, drug taking, and verbal and physical abuse.

“There was a council residents’ consultation back in the summer, but nothing has been done. When the police are called, they simply say ‘report the incident’ but nothing results from that.

“What more than a stabbing will it take the council/police to do about something that everyone in the town knows is a dangerous anti-social issue?”

Read more:

• Harrogate district businesses ask police for help tackling anti-social behaviour
• Harrogate district MPs silent on emergency statement

Bower Street was one of the areas mentioned at a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, where police officers gave an overview of policing in the area.

A delegate said one business had already been forced to close on the street because of persistent anti-social behaviour and asked whether the police could do anything to prevent people “milling around”.

One Arch

Chief Inspector Alex Langley admitted there was little they could do in trouble spots such as Bower Street and outside McDonald’s.

He added Bower Street was close to many agencies offering support to people, and therefore attracted issues.

The nearby One Arch tunnel into the town centre is an area earmarked for improvements under the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.