Ripon residents ‘scared to go out’ as crime fears grow

Ripon residents have said they are too scared to go out at night because of teenage gangs.

Fear of crime and anti-social behaviour in the city has escalated in recent months.

Matters came to a head on Sunday evening when police responded to five incidents in three hours.

They included reports of a man with a machete, a robbery, thefts and gang activity.

It is getting too much for some locals, prompting councillors to call for urgent police action.

North Yorkshire Police has said it will increase patrols following the latest incidents. But some believe there are not enough officers on the streets to cope.

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Pauline McHardy, a councillor on Ripon City Council and Harrogate Borough Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“This has got much worse. I have lived in Ripon all my life and we have never had this level of trouble before. They should be ashamed of themselves.

“Many residents are frightened to leave their homes. These people are terrorising the city, there is no other word for it.”

Stephen Craggs, owner of electrical firm G Craggs, which is based opposite the bus station where some of the young people gather, said:

“This is not like they are just scaring little old ladies. I had just parked at the shops when there was a group of teenagers drinking.

“They just brushed passed me but it was quite intimidating. You don’t know if they have a weapon or what they are going to do.”

Sid Hawke, who also sits on Ripon City Council and Harrogate Borough Council, echoed concerns, and said lockdown had exacerbated the problem:

“Ripon used to be a really quiet and lovely place to live. This is just not on. It is getting really violent now. I think the lockdown has made it worse.

“They are terrorising people. We have a lot of elderly people who live here and they are petrified to leave their homes.”

Ripon City Council is set to have a meeting with North Yorkshire’s police, fire and crime commissioner Julia Mulligan to discuss concerns and respond to pleas for more police.

Robbery, thefts and man with machete in three-hour Ripon crimewave

Police are investigating a three-hour spate of crimes in Ripon on Sunday that included a man carrying a machete, a robbery, thefts and gangs gathering.

The incidents, which occurred from 6.30pm until 9.30pm, are the latest in a series of crimes and anti-social behaviour blighting the city.

A 23-year-old man became the first victim at 6.30pm on King Street when he was robbed by two or three males who had his phone and watch stolen and suffered facial injuries.

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Then at about 8.30pm, North Yorkshire Police said four teenage boys and one teenage girl stole alcohol from McColl’s on Bondgate.

At 9.10pm a group of some 15 teenagers on Southgate reportedly shouted at local residents who asked them to move away from parked cars.

Just 20 minutes later, police received two reports about Bondgate.

The first was of a “male with a machete.” The second was of a man “threatened by another male with a knife.”

Throughout the rest of the evening police received “a number of other reports” of large groups of “youths” in various places around Ripon.

A police statement said:

“There were also a number of other reports of large groups of youths at various locations received throughout the evening which police responded to.”

Last month Ripon City Council called for more support from police amid concerns of rising crime.

Alex Langley, neighbourhood policing inspector, said:

“I’d like to reassure the local community that we are investigating all of these reports, which we are taking very seriously.

“I can assure people that we will be taking robust action against those responsible.

“Our extensive enquiries are ongoing.

“It includes officers trawling through CCTV footage and speaking to local businesses and we have also stepped up our patrols.”

Anyone with information about the investigation can call the police on 101 or send an email to lucymills@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Please quote the following North Yorkshire Police reference numbers:

Police search for Ripon robbers who attacked young man

Police are searching for up to three robbers who reportedly attacked a young man for his phone and watch.

The robbery happened at about 6.30pm on Sunday on King Street in Ripon.

A 23-year-old man told police he had been attacked by two or three suspects. He described them as “young males”.

He reported that as well as stealing his phone and watch, they hit him in the face, leaving him with injuries.

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Officers are appealing for any information or CCTV footage relating to the incident.

You can email PC Lucy Mills by clicking or tapping here. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Ripon City Council called for additional police last month to tackle an increase in crime.

Julia Mulligan pledges to visit Ripon to hear crime fears

North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan has promised to visit Ripon to hear people’s concerns about escalating crime.

Ripon City Council wrote to Ms Mulligan last week asking to meet to discuss the “ongoing problem” of violence and anti-social behaviour in the city.

One councillor, Sid Hawke, said at a meeting last week the city was “sick of these yobbos”. Council leader Andrew Williams said some older people were too frightened to go onto Market Square.

In her written response, seen by the Stray Ferret, Ms Mulligan says she will meet councillors once she has been briefed by North Yorkshire Police.

She wrote:

“Once I have received this, I would be very willing to meet with you to hear your concerns first-hand.

“I will also arrange a public surgery for residents in Ripon, so that I can hear their views for myself.”

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Ms Mulligan also said she will discuss the situation with Lisa Winward, North Yorkshire’s chief constable:

“Whilst the chief constable has control over her police officers, I will certainly raise this with her, with a view to looking at the options that might be available to resolve the problems.”

Cllr Williams welcomed the response and told the Stray Ferret he hoped to meet Ms Mulligan soon.

He said:

“I am pleased our concerns are being taken seriously and I hope we can all work together on this”.

 

Woman, 19, in critical condition after being struck by tractor in Ripley

A woman is in a critical condition after being struck by a tractor near Ripley yesterday.

The 19-year-old from the Ripon area was standing next to a broken down silver Hyundai 4×4 when she was hit by a passing tractor.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report, the Hyundai started filling with smoke and the driver pulled over.

The report added:

“One of the passengers of the vehicle got out and ran round to the driver side to get the driver out and they were then hit by a moving vehicle.

“Crews administered first aid on their arrival. The passenger was taken to hospital by road ambulance, the driver and other passenger were uninjured. Incident left with the police.”

Police were called to the scene on Fountains Road between Ripley and Bishop Thornton at 5.17pm. The road was closed until 11.13pm while emergency services attended.

According to North Yorkshire Police, the broken down Hyundai had been travelling away from Ripley towards Bishop Thornton, as was the tractor.

Police added the tractor driver did not stop at the scene but was later traced. He was subsequently released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Dashcam appeal

Police described the woman’s injuries as serious and said she remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The green John Deere tractor was towing a flat trailer carrying bales wrapped in black plastic.

Police are asking for anyone with dashcam footage or anyone who saw the vehicles involved on Fountains Road to contact them.

They are particularly keen to trace a car also believed to be travelling towards Ripley at the time of the collision. Police believe the driver may have witnessed the collision or seen the tractor passing the 4×4.

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Any witnesses are asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Alison Hoyle. The officer can be contacted on email using Alison.Hoyle@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

The reference number is 12210045363.

11 sheep stolen from field near Boroughbridge

North Yorkshire Police is appealing to the public for information after 11 sheep were stolen from a field near Boroughbridge.

According to the police, the Beltex breed of sheep were taken between November 10 and January 17.

Police are particularly interested in any suspicious sightings of vehicles on Holbeck Lane or the B6265 between these dates.

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Ruby Rutter. Or email the officer on ruby.rutter@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210032203.

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Two arrested after man robbed at knifepoint in Ripon

Two men have been arrested today after a man was robbed at knifepoint in Ripon yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police said the victim was walking on Bondgate at about 5.30pm yesterday when four men approached and threatened him with a knife.

They stole his belongings and then followed him home and forced him to let them in. Once inside, the four robbers stole a number of other items then escaped down Aismunderby Road.

Police said a 20-year-old man from Ripon and a 19-year-old from Harrogate were arrested by police at about 10am today in connection with the robbery.

Both men are currently in police custody.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help with the investigation to call 101 and quote reference number 12210027815.

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Police arrest suspected cocaine dealers in Harrogate

Police arrested two suspected drug dealers in Harrogate on Friday.

According to North Yorkshire Police, plain clothes officers became suspicious when they saw two men travelling through the town at 5.30pm and stopped their car.

A search of the vehicle discovered what the police believe to be cocaine and cash. The officers then arrested the two men, aged 22 and 38. It is not known where the men live.

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Police then searched the suspects’ homes and seized a “large amount” of what they believe to be cocaine and a “large amount” of cash.

Officers also seized small bags, scales and a mobile phone.

Both men have been released under investigation on suspicion of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

The police also arrested the 22-year-old on suspicion of possessing criminal property.

Jail for ‘prolific’ Harrogate drug dealer

A drug dealer who brought crack cocaine and heroin into Harrogate has been sent to jail for five years and four months.

Lee Bavin, 27, of Manchester Road in Bradford, appeared at York Crown Court for sentencing today.

North Yorkshire Police has had Bavin on its radar since 2018 as part of a county lines investigation.

Officers stopped Bavin on his way to Harrogate at the time and found 40 heroin wraps and 140 wraps of crack cocaine in his underwear.

They also seized 82 methandienone tablets and his phone, which linked him to county lines.

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Police arrested Bavin again in January 2020 when a plain clothed officer watched a drug deal take place in Harrogate.

The officer followed the suspects to a block of flats where Bavin was hiding with more than £800, 19 wraps of heroin and a phone.

The courts granted the officer’s request to remand Bavin in custody at this point to “protect the wider public.”

Bavin subsequently faced charges of two counts of possesing heroin with intent to supply, one count of possesing crack cocaine with intent to supply and one count of possing methandienone with intent to supply.

He changed his plea to guilty to all offences when he appeared at court in November 2020.

Investigating officer, detective constable Tom Barker of Harrogate’s Operation Expedite Team, said:

“Lee Bavin is a prolific offender who showed no regard whatsoever to police action.

“I am hopeful that while he is in prison he is able to reflect on the crimes he has committed and receives help to rectify his criminal behaviour.

“Drug dealing causes misery in our communities we hope local people are reassured that we are committed to disrupting it and taking those responsible off the streets.

Ripon youths break lockdown rules to attack residents

Youths in Ripon are breaking the national lockdown rules to attack residents, with police receiving a string of “distressing” reports in one day.

Police believe the incidents are linked with similar descriptions of small groups of teenagers between 14 and 18 years old.

Some of the reports include the youths throwing eggs and glass, spitting and punching people who challenged them and kicking at the heels of a postman.

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All of the incidents happened on Wednesday afternoon between 2pm and 3.30pm, according to the police reports.

Ripon City Police has released a statement to say that while there has been a “considerable reduction in incidents” as a result of lockdown:

“However, sadly, there appears to be a very small cohort of individuals intent on causing harm in our community and we are asking for your help and support in identifying those involved in several distressing incidents.

“Not only have these individuals caused distress, harm and injury to victims but they are breaking the lockdown rules, putting themselves and others at risk in the midst of a pandemic.

“These unprovoked attacks are distressing. It is likely that they are linked and we are doing all we can to identify those responsible to bring some justice for the victims affected.”