Trains between Harrogate and Knaresborough were disrupted this morning due to a trespasser near the line at Starbeck.

Northern Rail alerted commuters on social media at 9.18am, saying a “trespass incident” was causing delays.

Network Rail and British Transport Police both attended the incident, which happened at around 8.20am.

In a statement, British Transport Police said:

“Officers were called to the line near Starbeck railway station at around 8.20am today (18 December) following reports of concern for welfare.

“Officers attended and a person has been taken to a place of safety.”

Lines have re-opened but Northern said disruption is expected until 12.45pm.

No further details have been released.

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Police in Harrogate have made six arrests – including a 15-year-old boy – during a national week of action to target County Lines drug dealing. 

North Yorkshire Police made a total of 26 arrests across the county, seizing cash, suspected drugs, mobile phones and weapons including two machetes, three samurai swords, two knuckledusters and a pistol.

The week of action took place from Monday, October 9 to Sunday 15 and was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre.

Across the county, officers executed 14 warrants, seized over £70,000 in cash suspected to be linked to criminality, as well as several class A, B and C drugs, including 1-2 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £70,000 from one vehicle in Scarborough. 

Teams from across the force carried out proactive enforcement against people with suspected links to drugs offences, as well as patrols at rail and bus stations with a specialist drugs dog. 

A plain-clothes police officer on a County Lines drugs raid.

Harrogate arrests

In Harrogate, the County Lines Intensification Week saw five incidents result in arrests.

In one, police stopped a vehicle on Cheltenham Parade and searched a 24-year-old man. They found 10 bags of compressed white powder, a knuckleduster, scales, cash and four mobile phones. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class-A drug, interviewed and released under investigation. 

In a separate incident, officers from the force’s Expedite Team witnessed a suspected drug deal taking place on Albany Avenue in Harrogate and arrested a 27-year-old man for being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug. He was interviewed and released under investigation. 

British Transport Police arrested a 15-year-old boy for theft and being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug and a class-B drug. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug and class-B drug. Both were released on conditional bail. 

Acting on a tip-off, North Yorkshire Police investigated suspicious activity taking place at a property linked to the supply of drugs. They searched a 36-year-old man and found class-A drugs, scales and a mobile phone.

The man was ultimately charged with eight offences relating to the possession and supply of cocaine, heroin and cannabis and remanded in custody to appear at York Magistrates’ Court. 

Finally, officers from the force’s Operation Expedite team stopped a vehicle on Church Lane in Harrogate that had been identified as being linked to drug supply. They arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of drug driving and entering the UK illegally. He was released under investigation for the driving offence and passed to immigration officials to be dealt with. 

Safeguarding

County Lines takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to communicate between towns and advertise drugs for sale. Vulnerable people – including children – are forced to deal drugs and dealers will often use local properties as a base for their activities; this is often acquired by force and referred to as ‘cuckooing’. 

As part of the week of action, proactive safeguarding and welfare checks were conducted at hotels and bed and breakfasts where vulnerable people are known to be living. In total, officers safeguarded 73 people who are known or suspected to be vulnerable to county lines exploitation. 

The force also held County Lines drop-in stalls in public areas for engagement within communities and members of the public. 

Read more:

• Police seize £100,000 cash in crackdown on Harrogate ‘county lines’; drug dealing
• Police arrest five in Harrogate as part of national county lines action
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Detective chief inspector Andrew Simpson, who led the initiative for North Yorkshire Police, said: 

“Last week’s targeted activity demonstrates how we are working tirelessly to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs and protect the young and vulnerable in our communities who are exploited by them. 

“It’s important to stress that this is just one week’s activity, and this type of disruption and safeguarding is taking place in communities across North Yorkshire all year round. 

“As a force we are committed to cutting these County Lines and to protecting vulnerable people. But we cannot do this alone, our work with partners is important and we also need the support of the public.  

“It’s vital that everyone who cares for or knows young and vulnerable people understands the issue and knows the warning signs.” 

Children

To help raise awareness among children, the force worked with Christina Gabbitas, the popular children’s author of the No More Knives and Trapped by County Lines campaigns, to deliver talks alongside neighbourhood policing officers in several schools across the county. 

Christina said: 

“After the success of working together with North Yorkshire Police, I was commissioned to write a sequel story Trapped in County Lines. 

“The story aims to educate children and young people on the dangers of becoming involved with county lines through the power of storytelling. 

“Children and young people can sadly be victims of exploitation from organised crime groups. County Lines is a harsh reality of life, and in my opinion shouldn’t be sugar coated.”

Trains on the Harrogate line were stopped this morning after emergency services were called to deal with concerns for the safety of a teenager on Crimple Valley viaduct.

The concerns were first reported to police just after 5.30am, and both North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police attended the scene.

They were joined by staff from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, while North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was on stand-by to help if needed.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“Police negotiators brought [it] to a safe conclusion just before 8.30am.

“A man aged in his late teens was checked over my paramedics and he is receiving medical support.”

Train services on the line had to be replaced by buses for a number of hours while police dealt with the incident.

The line is now clear, though Northern said delays to services could last “for some time due to displaced trains and crew”.

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Two girls have been arrested for trespassing on the railway at Harrogate Station and racially abusing a member of staff.

British Transport Police confirmed officers attended the station at 8pm on Monday, May 15, to reports of two teenagers on the track.

The girls, aged 14 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of trespassing and racially abusing a member of staff.

A British Transport Police spokesperson told the Stray Ferret that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

In response to the incident, Tony Baxter, regional director for Northern, said:

“Last month, two females climbed a security fence from a car park adjoining the railway at Harrogate station and trespassed on the tracks.

“During our attempts to remove the women from what is a very dangerous environment, they gave verbal abuse and made racist remarks towards a member of Northern staff.

“This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and the matter was referred to British Transport Police.”

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The incident has raised questions about safety after Northern was reported to be planning to remove staff from the ticket gate at the station.

Andrew Whitworth, vice-chairman of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, said:

“I think the point about the safety benefit of an extra pair of eyes on what is the busiest platform is a very good additional argument for keeping staff there.

“It is of course a busy exit – used by people living on that side of town, by car park users and people who use it as a drop off point (eg taxis are often called there, especially as it’s the main platform for London trains).

“Meanwhile Northern said they were setting barriers to reject any ticket which had been bought with a railcard so that the railcard could be checked – to then remove staff from the barriers would create a lot of inconvenience.

“Northern have argued that closing ticket offices would lead to more staff available to help customers on the platforms – this proposal suggests that they are intent on removing staff everywhere.”

Northern has not commented on the reports that it is considering removing staff from barriers. It also did not respond to questions about the safety implications of removing ticket staff after the incident on May 15.

A Harrogate man has been jailed after spitting on a pensioner’s head at Leeds train station.

Aaron Peter Wilson, 43, of Hookstone Road, was found guilty of assault and jailed for four weeks.

York Magistrates Court heard how, on Sunday, September 25, Wilson started shouting aggressively at the 66-year-old victim and his wife as they walked past him.

Wilson continued to shout at the couple after they ignored him.

The victim turned around and told Wilson to go away. After this then spat at the victim’s head.

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A security guard at the station contacted British Transport Police. When they attended Wilson became increasingly aggressive towards them and was arrested.

Investigating officer PC Anthony Sutcliffe said: 

“This was a disgusting and unprovoked attack on a gentleman and his wife who were just minding their own business making their way across the station.

“We will never tolerate behaviour like this and Wilson must now realise the implications of his outburst.

“If you witness or are victim of abuse or assault on the railway you can text us discreetly on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40.

“In an emergency always call 999.”

Wilson was also ordered to pay £75 compensation.

Police searching for missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday have found a body near the railway at North Rigton.

Although formal identification has not yet taken place, the 73-year-old’s family have been informed and are being supported.

Due to the location of the body, British Transport Police is leading the investigation and will establish circumstances surrounding the death.

Rail and road closures have been in place following the report, which was made just after 12.20pm today.

Police say one lane of the A658 at North Rigton has now reopened, however officers remain at the scene.

Ms Holliday left her care home on Harcourt Road in Harrogate at 10.32am two weeks ago today on Saturday, August 27. She was then captured on CCTV at Harrogate bus station and later in Library Gardens at 10.43am.

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It is believed she then caught a bus out of Harrogate and then flagged down a member of the public and asked for a lift to North Rigton, where the last confirmed sighting took place.

Police used a drone to search for Ms Holliday in large open areas around North Rigton and Lindley Wood Reservoir.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret last week, her niece Lucinda Edwards appealed for her safe return and praised the response of the community.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We thank everyone who has supported the missing person inquiry.

“Our thoughts are with Judith’s family.”