A new drive to target anti-social behaviour, street crime and shoplifting in Harrogate has been launched by North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council. 

Project Spotlight was announced yesterday, just days before the Stray Ferret publishes Trading Hell, a week-long series of features investigating these very issues. 

Over the course of our investigation we spoke to a chief inspector from North Yorkshire Police, as well as North Yorkshire Council, Harrogate BID, Harrogate Homeless Project and dozens of town centre traders. You can read the first of our special reports on Monday. 

Project Spotlight sees teams working with residents, shoppers, town-centre workers and businesses to: 

• gather information about crime and anti-social behaviour and use it to target police and council resources at key times and locations;
• reduce thefts, anti-social behaviour and other crimes by working with retailers and licensed premises;
• prevent begging and rough sleeping by ensuring vulnerable people have access to the services they need and are encouraged to use them;
• deploy targeted, high-visibility patrols to make sure residents, town-centre visitors, workers and businesses feel safe;
• reduce drink- and drug-related crime by working with specialist teams, licensed premises and support services;
• ‘design out crime’ by making changes to the town-centre environment;
• keep the public informed about the project and its progress, encouraging them to keep sharing information about any town-centre issues affecting them. 

Project Spotlight builds on work between North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Council and other organisations to address street crime, retail theft, begging, rough sleeping, substance abuse and anti-social behaviour. 

Project Spotlight will work with retailers to tackle shoplifting and other town-centre problems.

In a sample of 140 patrols of the town centre since October 2023, North Yorkshire Police made 10 arrests and moved people on or gave words of advice 54 times. The force also issued one dispersal order, which effectively bans someone from an area for a certain amount of time. 

Harrogate neighbourhood policing inspector Nicola Colbourne said:  

“Project Spotlight sees us stepping up that positive work we’ve already done with partner organisations, the public and town-centre businesses. 

“We’re using a good old-fashioned mix of community engagement, information-gathering, targeted policing and robust law enforcement during this project, which we’re delivering alongside policing Harrogate’s wider residential areas. 

“Harrogate is already an incredibly safe town, in what is officially England’s safest county. With the help of the public, businesses and key organisations, we’re working hard to make it even safer.” 

North Yorkshire Council’s assistant chief executive for local engagement, Rachel Joyce, said:

“Alongside North Yorkshire Police and others, we have been working hard to maintain Harrogate town centre’s reputation as a safe and welcoming place in which to visit and work.
“Operation Spotlight presents an opportunity for all concerned to come together and build on this work. To do this we need the co-operation of the public and the business community and I would encourage everyone to support us in this aim.”

Project Spotlight comes in response to problems highlighted by the Stray Ferret’s Trading Hell survey, which revealed very high levels of dissatisfaction among town-centre traders at North Yorkshire Police’s response to anti-social behaviour and retail theft.

The results of the survey, some of which have been shared with North Yorkshire Police, will be revealed in our first Trading Hell report, published on Monday.

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The playground at Ripon’s Quarry Moor Park is to close following repeated vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Ripon City Council agreed the measure at an extraordinary meeting last night.

An arson attack this month became the latest in a long list of damage and destruction wrought by vandals at the park.

Edward Brandie, who lives close to the site, told councillors:

“I called the fire brigade after seeing youths deliberately setting fire to an area of woodland and fortunately, the firefighters came quickly and put it out, otherwise It could have been disastrous.”

Last night’s meeting was held to enable councillors to agree actions required to address ongoing concerns about vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the playground.

Members of the public at last night’s meeting.

It was attended by members of the public, who heard councillors approve a radical plan involving the closure of the the playground, removal of the hut on site and development of a longer-term programme of improvements for the park.

All playground equipment and broken fencing is to be removed and trees and bushes trimmed back with the aim of creating an enlarged open picnic and recreation area, that can be safely used by families and other people who visit the site for legitimate reasons.

City councillors voted unanimously for the measures after Cllr Julie Ann Martin-Long, chair of the Alderman Spence Quarry Moor Trust Committee, said she and deputy chair Cllr Tony Duncan had been regularly monitoring the park and appalled at what they had seen.

Cllr Martin-Long said:

“In addition to graffiti on the play equipment that is lewd, crude and racist, the equipment has been vandalised and is no longer safe for children to use.

“Fences have been broken down, signs damaged and dens created on the site by youths. We have also had a problem of rats on the site because of discarded rubbish.”

City council leader Andrew Williams said he believed an area of the site was being used as a drop-off point for people handing over ‘substances’. His recommendation that the gate to the site car park be locked at 5pm each day from October onward, to prevent vehicular access, was agreed.

Councillors also agreed to a proposal by Cllr Barbara Brodigan, for Ripon residents to be invited to attend a public meeting later this year to discuss longer-term improvement plans for Quarry Moor Park.

Cllr Martin-Long said:

“We have been working closely with the police and taking their advice on how to tackle the issues we are facing. There’s no quick fix, but this area used to be one of Ripon’s crowing glories and we want to get it back to that once more.”

An extraordinary meeting of Ripon City Council will be held this evening (Monday) to ‘consider the urgent matters on the site at Quarry Moor and to agree appropriate action.’

The children’s playground at the park has been closed since March after being attacked by vandals. It has suffered vandalism and anti-social behaviour on a regular basis.

The meeting, which starts at 7pm, will be held in the council chamber at Ripon Town Hall and is open to the public, who can question, seek clarification, or make
representation to members of the council.

On June 12, councillors  attending a full council voted for the  playground to remain closed for the foreseeable future.

The extraordinary meeting will be held in the council chamber at Ripon Town Hall.

The decision was taken in private session and confirmed in a statement on the council’s Facebook page, which said that the council:

“regretfully resolved not to reinstate the playground at Quarry Moor at the present time”.

It added:

“Unfortunately the site is being vandalised almost daily. We are working with North Yorkshire Police who are responding to the regular reports of anti-social behaviour when they occur.

“Until we can plan a way forward with our partners that includes measures that impact on the behaviour at the site we are unable to commit funds to the playground.

“We appreciate that this is caused by a small minority and that it is affecting our residents using the site. We are actively seeking solutions to the issue (and) will provide a further update as soon as possible.”

Quarry Moor is funded with an annual grant from the city council and the budget for 2023-24 financial year is £15,000.

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Knaresborough Civic Society has called on North Yorkshire Council to protect Knaresborough House from vandalism.

The High Street building is one of the Knaresborough’s grandest properties and was built in 1768 for the town’s former vicar.

It’s now owned by the new council after previously being in the hands of Harrogate Borough Council until it was abolished on March 31.

The Northallerton-based authority is currently advertising office space to rent inside Knaresborough House.

But according to the civic society, which has a motto of ‘protect, preserve and conserve’, the building is in a poor state of repair following a spate of vandalism.

Andrew Grinter, secretary at the civic society, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the group has written to the new council to ask when boarded-up windows will be replaced.

He said:

“It appears that Knaresborough House has been facing vandalism issues for a while and we would like to know what, if any, plans are in place to restore the boarded windows and address the continuous problem of vandalism?

“[We’d like to know] what steps have the local council, the police and others taken to address the worsening situation and protect individuals using the building or its grounds particularly for civic duties?

“And have there been any efforts to engage with the community, particularly youth groups, to address the root causes of anti-social behaviour?”

Long-term concerns

North Yorkshire Council is facing much-publicised cost pressures that are set to continue over the next few years.

It is estimated the council will cut £70m over the next three years just to balance its books.

One of the new unitary council’s early cost-cutting programmes will be to sell off some of the former district, borough and county council properties, which comes to more than 3,500 properties excluding schools.

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Although there is no indication at this stage that Knaresborough House will sold,  Mr Grinter raised concerns that the cost-savings could lead to further decline at the property.

He added:

“As far as cost saving budgets are concerned, we want to know what criteria are being used to determine which properties are deemed surplus to requirements?

“One obvious concern is that under-investment, including in Knaresborough House, aligns with the council’s overall cost-saving strategy and this will impact on decisions concerning the upkeep and repair of one of Knaresborough’s key heritage assets.”

North Yorkshire Council has been approached for comment.

The boating lake in Valley Gardens had to be drained of rubbish this morning after a bank holiday gathering last night.

Gardeners were on site early this morning to clean-up after revellers left so much mess.

Numerous bin bags were filled and removed before the lake was refilled.

Jon Clubb, acting head of parks and environmental services at North Yorkshire Council, said:

“Last night we experienced some antisocial behaviour in Valley Gardens. This morning the gardeners removed rubbish, drained the boating lake and gave the surrounding area a clean. It is now refilled with water.

“This was due to take place tomorrow in anticipation of the three-day event to mark the King’s coronation at the weekend when we hope thousands of people will visit the beautiful gardens.”

Some of the rubbish

Jane Blayney, former chair of the Friends of Valley Gardens, noticed the clean-up operation this morning. She said:

“It was a dreadful mess. Sacks and sacks of rubbish were taken.

“I felt sorry for the gardeners, who are busy enough and were diverted from their preparations for the coronation weekend.”

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Criminals could meet their victims to apologise rather than go to court under a new restorative justice agreement in North Yorkshire.

The Community Remedy document aims to give victims of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour a greater say in how offenders should be held account.

The updated document was agreed by Chief Constable Lisa Winward and Zoë Metcalfe, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, after a six-week public consultation.

It lists actions that can be carried out without court proceedings by criminals who admit their wrongdoing.

The options include bringing victims and criminals together “in a safe and supported way” to allow greater understanding of each other.

Other options include criminals giving verbal or written apologies or signing acceptable behaviour contracts in which they pledge to improve their behaviour.

Those guilty of offences could also engage in reparations by repairing or paying for damage caused or litter picking, or agree to attend anger management programmes or mediation.

Ms Metcalfe urged victims to “carefully consider using the options so that offending can be addressed and community safety restored”, adding:

“Community Remedy provides a vital opportunity for victims to be consulted and input on the outcome and resolution to an anti-social behaviour offence.”

“The local options provide victims with the opportunity to ensure justice and reparation for an offence, as well as an important opportunity for perpetrators to learn about the impact of the offence and change their behaviour in the future, without being criminalised through court proceedings.”

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• Criminals in North Yorkshire could make written apologies to victims
• Harrogate crime hotspot gets £6,000 railings to prevent loitering

Chief Constable Winward said Community Remedy “can be a more meaningful resolution to some victims and perpetrators than other criminal justice outcomes and can be more effective in keeping people safe and feeling safe”. She added:

“Anyone who has been a victim of a crime or anti-social behaviour will inevitably feel the impact of that event in some way.

“In some cases, just being able to share how it made them feel with a perpetrator or for a perpetrator to reflect on their actions and offer to put things right can be extremely powerful in the healing process and allow people to move on.”

Community Remedy will only be used when criminals admit their offence and both parties agree to take part.

Railings have been installed on one of Harrogate’s worst streets for crime in a bid to prevent problems.

The railings, which cost £6,000, follow long-running concerns about anti-social behaviour on Bower Street.

Harrogate Borough Council and private owners of the properties affected each paid half of the sum.

North Yorkshire Police recently named Bower Street as one of Harrogate’s crime hotspots.

The street, on which Harrogate Homeless Project is based, often sees people loitering on the steps of the retail unit that was formerly occupied by donut shop Doe.

A Harrogate Borough Council press release this afternoon said “negotiations have taken longer than hoped” due to the land being privately owned.

The railings being installed today.

Councillor Richard Cooper, the Conservative leader of Harrogate Borough Council, 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 anti-social behaviour and criminal activity has on the quality of life of residents, businesses and the wider community.

“That is why we have agreed to help the property owners secure their boundaries and install these railings. I am grateful to the property owners for working with us on this and am pleased to say that said railings are now installed.

The council statement said it had been working with residents and partners to “tackle ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour in this area of Harrogate town centre”.

The measures regular police patrols and targeting individuals who cause harassment, alarm and distress, the release added. Now the railings have gone up.

Read more:

• Railings to be installed on Harrogate’s Bower Street
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Cllr Cooper added:

“We know that securing this area will not immediately solve the anti-social and criminal behaviour problem at this location. Long-term dedicated support is the only way to do that. And we must recognise that the people who congregate in these areas often have complex physical and mental health needs.

“We need to continue to support agencies and schemes like Harrogate Homeless Project and Harrogate Street Aid that provide help to people in need.”

Police have urged Ripon residents to report all anti-social behaviour amid a rise in problems with youths in the city.

North Yorkshire Police has asked members of the public to ensure all concerns are reported via the force website or its non-emergency 101 number.

A spokesperson said:

“Our Ripon officers are aware of a small number of recent incidents involving youths acting in an anti-social manner.

“These incidents have been in the Aismunderby Road and Ambrose Road areas, and the area around the Jack Laugher Leisure Centre and nearby skate park.”

The force said it has been making enquiries and identified suspects in order for officers to take action.

In the meantime, it is calling for all incidents to be added to its log.

The spokesperson reminded people to call 999 in an emergency.

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A Harrogate district police inspector has revealed the district’s crime hotspots — and what police are doing to tackle them.

Inspector Ed Rogerson addressed members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee last night.

Insp. Rogerson, who works for North Yorkshire Police’s Harrogate outer area, identified five areas as causes for concern.

1 Around McDonald’s in Harrogate

Insp. Rogerson said the area around McDonald’s and Oxford Street in Harrogate had “always been an issue” and attracted “lots of anti-social behaviour reports”. He attributed this to it being a meeting point for young people plus the fact the restaurant is open 24 hours and includes free WiFi. He said police were working with businesses to take a ‘more active role’ to address problems.

2 Strawberry Dale, Mayfield Grove and Nydd Vale Terrace in Harrogate

Insp. Rogerson said “some particular residential streets” had issues, and named Strawberry Dale, Mayfield Grove and Nydd Vale Terrace. But he said these streets had “seen a considerable reduction” after the main problematic property in that area was subject to a closure order obtained by the multi-agency community safety hub, which works collectively to address crime. He said police continued to liaise with the landlord and would continue to hold ‘community surgeries’ at which local people could talk to officers and “pass on concerns”. Insp. Rogerson also said there had been an increase in tackling traffic offences on Strawberry Dale and the nearby Asda as part of the police’s Operation Chrome operation.

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3 Bower Street in Harrogate

Insp. Rogerson said Bower Street was the only location reported more than once as making people feel unsafe. Police experts on long-term crime solving were considering what to do. He added:

“It’s still an open case with the community safety hub who are seeking funding for environmental improvements in the area to reduce reports of anti-social behaviour.”

4 Boroughbridge

Insp. Rogerson said “a small group of young people in Boroughbridge are causing anti-social behaviour and crime problems at the moment”. He said police were working with social care and schools and there were likely to be “some charges coming in the future” which would enable the perpetrators to get support from youth offending teams. He added:

“We don’t want it to escalate. We want to help the children so it protects them and the community as well.”

Councillor Robert Windass, a Conservative who represents Boroughbridge, told the meeting he had received “numerous reports” of drug taking in the Back Lane car park and urged police to “up patrols and get rid of drug dealers”. Insp. Rogerson said two new police community support officers were joining his team and he would ensure everyone was aware of the problem.

5 Knaresborough housing sites

Insp. Rogerson said there had been a spate of burglaries from new build housing developments in Knaresborough and surrounding areas. Boilers and new white goods were particularly targeted, he said.

“There’s a lot of new build sites in and around Knaresborough and these locations are vulnerable. It’s hard to keep an eye on everything even with 24-hour security.”

He said the force was “updating its problem solving plan and will be working with housing developers to reduce” such incidents.

Inspector Ed Rogerson and chief constable Lisa Winward at last night’s meeting.

‘Still one of the safest places’

North Yorkshire chief constable Lisa Winward, who also attended the meeting, said overall crime levels were “fairly consistent” in the Harrogate district but reports of anti-social behaviour were down by 43% and the number of fatal road traffic collisions had fallen by 50%.

The chief constable said North Yorkshire remained “one of the safest places in the country” and some 200 extra officers were being recruited as part of the UK government’s bid to get 20,000 more police.

She added 101 and 999 response rates were “still not where we want to be” but added she had recently signed an agreement with the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for an additional budget of £1.9m to increase staffing in the force control room.

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.”