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26
Sept
Police appeal for information after chance to arrest suspects was missed
North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal for information about a case of shoplifting in Harrogate – nearly four weeks after a chance was apparently missed to apprehend the suspects as they got away.
When staff at 27 West Park Antiques spotted a man and woman on CCTV in the act of stealing a bust of Jesus and some expensive candlesticks last month, they called 999.
Tim Ward, who co-owns the business with business partner Lisa Hawksworth, told an emergency call handler that the suspects were waiting for a bus to Leeds and that the police could catch them if they came quickly.
In a further call, he told the handler that the pair had caught the bus, but that they could still be arrested if police officers were to stop it at Pannal.
But North Yorkshire Police instead put out an observation – or police alert – for the suspects.
Chief Inspector Ryan Chapman, North Yorkshire Police’s lead officer for business and retail crime, told us that, following a review of Mr Ward’s phone call, it had been determined that “the suspects were no longer in the shop or surrounding area when the call was made” – an assertion Mr Ward rejected as “entirely incorrect”.
Yesterday (Thursday), the force published a social media appeal for information that could identify either of the suspects, or locate the stolen goods.
North Yorkshire Police issued these CCTV images of the suspects.
In the immediate aftermath of the theft, Mr Ward told the Stray Ferret that his trust in the police was “broken” and that in future he would not bother reporting crime. He also dismissed the offer of a police visit to his premises as a “PR exercise”.
But following yesterday’s appeal, he struck a more conciliatory tone. He told us:
It’s great that the police have put out an appeal. I’m very pleased they’ve made the effort.
Their handling of this incident was initially poor, but latterly they have got on the case. Officers came to speak with Lisa, and they took away items for forensic testing.
I’m very hopeful they will catch the culprits, but not expectant that they will – these people [i.e. the suspects] are very clever. But fingers crossed, something might happen.
The man and woman are believed to have stolen a bust of Jesus, some church candlesticks and about £400 worth of silverware – a haul valued at more than £1,000.
In today's Facebook post, North Yorkshire Police said they would like to speak to the people caught on CCTV. It continued:
We’re also appealing to anyone who may have been offered, or has seen, the candelabras or statue for sale – also shown in the images.
If you can help identify the people in the images or have information about the current whereabouts of the candelabras and statue, please get in touch.
Please email ellie.cooke@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help our investigation.
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