The owners of The Dale Stores in Birstwith have pledged to continue serving the village after suffering a “sickening” burglary.
Andrea and Matthew Walwyn were sleeping next door when thieves smashed two panes of glass on the front door to gain entry to their shop and post office at nine minutes past midnight on Friday.
They took stamps worth £3,000 and a quantity of cash.
The couple, who have run the Nidderdale business for 17 years, told the Stray Ferret the incident had shaken them and the community but they had been overwhelmed by messages of support.
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The shop has reopened and although the post office is currently closed Ms Walwyn said they would be back at full capacity as soon as possible.
She said:
“We are really shaken. It’s just sickening. We live next door and think of the shop as part of our home.
“People have come in saying they have never locked their doors but they are now.
“But we want to fully re-open as soon as possible.”
Last year The Dale Stores won an award in the Rural Oscars competition organised by the Countryside Alliance, receiving praise for its ‘great service and great produce’ and for maintaining a village post office.
Ms Walwyn said she had been taken aback by the kindness shown by villagers in recent days. One man arranged for builders to sort out the damaged door straight away.
A customer arranged to fix the door.
Mr Walwyn put a post on their Facebook page saying, “It’ll take more than a scumbag chancer to bring us down. Andrea and I are here this morning. Nice people are very welcome”.
It prompted nearly 300 likes and a barrage of supportive comments.
One said:
Thieves steal cash and stamps from Birstwith post office“After all you both went through yesterday to see you smiling today is what makes Birstwith village shop the best.”
North Yorkshire Police is investigating a burglary at a rural post office in Nidderdale.
Thieves entered the Dales Stores Post Office in Birstwith at nine minutes past midnight on Friday (August 5).
The suspects smashed two panes of glass on the front door and stole cash and a large amount of stamps with a high value.
A North Yorkshire Police statement added:
“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they have any information, saw anything suspicious or can identify the person recorded on CCTV.
“In particular, offices are asking local residents if they have any CCTV or dash cam footage of vehicles in the area at the time of the burglary.
“Anyone with any information is asked to email leah.fitzsimons@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 950 Fitzsimons.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference number 12220137553 when passing on information.”
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Four teens arrested after burglary in Spofforth
Police have arrested four teenagers after a burglary in Spofforth.
Officers were called to the village after reports of a break-in at a house in the early hours of this morning.
Three 16-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of burglary and a 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary.
A North Yorkshire Police statement this afternoon confirmed that all four remain in custody and an investigation is ongoing.
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Police release CCTV images after Harrogate burglary
North Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images of a man thought to have information about a burglary at a home in Harrogate.
The burglary took place on Fawcett Drive in Harrogate at about 2am on Friday, May 6.
A man is reported to have entered a property and removed a wallet and cash. No further details have been released.
Police are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the man in the images as they believe he could have information that will help the investigation.
Further CCTV images released by police of the man they want to talk to.
You can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 950 Fitzsimons or email leah.fitzsimons@northyorkshire.police.uk.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The crime reference number 12220076667.
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Vigilance urged after attempted theft at Harrogate antiques shop
Antiques shops and dealers are being urged to be vigilant after an attempted burglary of a shop in Harrogate this week.
The shop at 27 West Park was targeted between 6pm on Tuesday and 6am on Wednesday this week, when a culprit or culprits attempted to enter via a side window but did not gain access.
A shop on Main Street in Hawes was also targeted in the early hours of today. Between 1.10am and 1.20am, a main broke into a shop on Main Street and stole items from inside.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“As a precaution, shops and businesses — particularly those dealing in antiques — are urged to be vigilant, and check their security measures. You can contact your local neighbourhood policing team for bespoke crime prevention advice.
“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the two incidents.
“In particular, we are appealing for residents and businesses to check any CCTV systems or doorbell cameras that may have captured footage of suspects or any vehicles driving away from the areas.”
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The suspect in the Hawes burglary is described as around 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins in height, of skinny build and wearing black clothing with a lower face covering. Police have not issued a description of a suspect in the Harrogate attempted burglary.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation at Harrogate can email ian.mason@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number 12220079988.
For the Hawes investigation, email heather.campbell@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number 12220080576.
Alternatively, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and speak to the force control room, giving the relevant reference number. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dog stolen during Jennyfields break-inA Harrogate resident is appealing for information after their beloved dog, Biscuit, was stolen during a burglary at their home on Branham Drive.
Biscuit the dog is a white and tan American Bulldog and has a white-tipped tail.
The burglary took place on Wednesday, May 4 between 9.30pm and midnight when the owner was away.
North Yorkshire Police said several other items were taken during the break-in and has asked anyone with information on the burglary or Biscuit’s whereabouts to contact the police.
The police said Biscuit is considered one of the family and is keen to reunite it with its owner.
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If you have information call 101, select option 2, and asking for PC Craig Brogden on extension 30116 or email craig.brogden@northyorkshire.police.uk.
Or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The reference number is 12220075872.
Jewellery stolen in Harrogate house burglaryJewellery has been stolen from a house in Harrogate.
Police in Harrogate are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened on Green Lane sometime between 3pm and 6pm last Saturday.
A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:
“During the incident a quantity of jewellery with great sentimental value was stolen.
“As part of ongoing enquiries, we need to hear from anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident and possibly noticed suspicious individuals or vehicles.
“In particular, anyone who was walking down the path between Green Lane and Rossett Drive.”
Anyone with information can email ruby.rutter@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Ruby Rutter.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220060386.
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Teenagers steal equipment from Spofforth primary school
Six teenagers who stole equipment from Spofforth Church of England Primary School are being hunted by police.
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened on Saturday, March 5, at 5pm.
Officers said they believed the teens attempted to break into the school on School Lane in the village, but were unsuccessful.
The suspects then broke into the school’s equipment shed, stole multiple items and caused criminal damage to school property.
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A police statement added:
£6,000 worth of antiques and collectables stolen from Ripon shop“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help identify suspects in relation to the incident. Five of the suspects have been described as teenage boys and one of the suspects has been described as a teenage girl.
“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Fleming.
“You can also email ethan.fleming@northyorkshire.police.uk. Please quote reference number 12220039590.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after £6,000 worth of antiques and collectables were stolen from a shop in Ripon.
Officers said a man forced entry into the shop on Kirkgate between 7pm and 7.30pm on February 11.
The suspect stole thousands of pounds worth of collectables, including coins and a watch.
He then returned to the shop at around 10pm and forced entry for second time before leaving with an old collectable air rifle.
North Yorkshire Police have urged anyone with any information to come forward if they recognised the items (pictured above) or have seen them for sale on social media.
A police statement added:
“Anyone with any information is asked to get in touch.
“Dial 101, press 2 and ask to speak to Mark Nursery, or email Mark.Nursey@northyorkshire.police.uk and quote reference number 12220024878.”
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Police helicopter used after thieves force their way into Killinghall house
Thieves forced their way into a house in Killinghall on Sunday and stole jewellery and car keys.
Police confirmed today they were investigating a report of aggravated burglary in the village.
Aggravated burglary is used to describe a burglary in which it is believed some kind of weapon or violence was used.
A statement by North Yorkshire Police today said it was notified at 10.05pm and officers were at the scene at 10.13pm.
It added they immediately began searching the area assisted by the National Police Air Service, which provides helicopters to police forces in England and Wales.
Multiple social media posts on Sunday night questioned why a police helicopter was flying over Harrogate.
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The police statement added:
“A black Kia Sorento, which matched a description of a vehicle seen leaving the burgled property was located abandoned on a residential road, near to the Great Yorkshire Showground.”
Enquiries are ongoing. The statement said:
“Anyone with any information which could assist the investigation is asked to dial 101 and speak to force control room quoting reference 12220017438.”