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    21

    May 2022

    Last Updated: 21/05/2022
    Crime
    Crime

    Police search of Harrogate's Pinewoods found nobody with a weapon

    by Calvin Robinson

    | 21 May, 2022
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    Police say they were unable to find anyone with a weapon in an extensive search of Harrogate's Pinewoods last night following reports of gunfire.

    policepinewoods

    North Yorkshire Police has said that officers were unable to find anyone with a weapon following reports of gunfire in the Pinewoods last night.

    In a statement published just after 11am today, police said that enquiries with residents revealed there had been “no sightings of anyone carrying a weapon”.

    Armed officers sealed off the woodland and a police helicopter was deployed shortly after 5pm.

    The statement said:

    "At 5.01pm yesterday police were called to reports of several “loud bangs” in the Pinewoods area of Harrogate.
    "Officers immediately attended and carried out an extensive search in the area. Specialist resources which included a firearms support unit and the police helicopter (NPAS) were brought in to assist.
    "Further enquires with the members of the public who made the initial reports confirmed that there had been no sightings of anyone carrying a weapon. Officers concluded their search at just before 7.30pm and no individual


    A police spokesman added that they believed the initial report "was made with good intent" and "We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously".

    Numerous residents told the Stray Ferret last night and today they had heard three gunshots.



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    Responding to the police statement, one resident remain convinced they heard gunfire.

    They also disputed the claim that police, whose Harrogate headquarters is less than a mile away, responded "immediately" and said one man was seen being detained in a police van before being later released.

    The woman said:

    "I'm surprised by the statement and it should have been communicated last night rather than have residents terrified. We aren't making this up."