18
Jun
Police give crime update on derelict Harrogate hotel
Police have said a plan to tackle crime at the derelict Kimberley Hotel in Harrogate has been successfully completed.
The hotel on King’s Road, which closed in December 2020, suffered an arson attack last year amid concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour on site.
North Yorkshire Police said after the fire it was contacting the owners to ensure they secured the premises and would take action if they failed to comply.
The Stray Ferret asked for an update after readers raised concerns that the building remained an eyesore more than one year on.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:
A problem-solving plan, put in place by the Harrogate neighbourhood policing team on October 20, 2023 in relation to continual crime and anti-social behaviour issues at the disused hotel, has recently been closed due to its success.
At the height of the concerns in August last year, there were eight incidents linked to the property during that month alone.
These reports involved a mix of young people, vulnerable adults, street drinkers and sometimes the homeless. As well as trying to use the building, associated crimes included criminal damage, evidence of drug use and arson.
Damage inside the hotel, caused by the fire. Picture: Harrogate Fire Station.
It added:
Due to the proactivity of the neighbourhood policing team, and by liaising with the owners of the building, the site has been target-hardened and incidents have reduced markedly.
Since the turn of the year, there were no incidents reported in January, one in February, a blip in March with five, one in April and none to date since May.
The improved situation is welcomed by all concerned, however the property remains on the Harrogate inner patrol plan.
The exterior of the building does not appear to have undergone any significant improvements, prompting one resident to tell us it had become an ongoing eyesore on King’s Road.
Peter Lacey, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Coppice Valley and Duchy, which includes the hotel site, said:
“I would agree with concerns that the property is an eyesore. Residents have emailed me with similar complaints.”
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