A man is recovering in hospital after being struck by a van driven by thieves at a Ripon supermarket.
The incident happened at 6.40pm last night at Morrisons.
According to North Yorkshire Police, a white utility van failed to stop after striking the unnamed man, who is in his 40s.
The extent of his injuries us now known.
A police statement said:
“The van did not stop at the scene and so we are appealing for information to help identify the vehicle and its occupants.
“Anyone who was in the area of Morrisons between 6.20pm and 6.50pm and has any dashcam or video footage, is asked to contact police.
“Dial 101, press 1 and pass information to the force control room, quoting reference number 12220012344.”
Police say wanted man may be in Harrogate
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information to find a wanted man with links to Harrogate.
Andon Llalla, 40, is wanted on recall to prison. It is unclear what Llalla was jailed for.
Police initially asked for information on the whereabouts of Llalla in October. Officers today renewed their appeal to the public to come forward if they have seen him or know his whereabouts.
He also has links to Halifax and Brighouse in West Yorkshire.
A police statement added:
“If you see him or have information for the police, call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12210179751.
“To report information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
18-year-old wanted for serious assault thought to be in Harrogate
North Yorkshire Police has put out a second appeal for information on the whereabouts of 18-year-old Luke Gibson, who is wanted in connection with a serious assault.
An appeal for the teenager was first posted in late November but the police are still unable to locate him.
They believe he is in Harrogate or Leeds and are asking anyone who has seen him or has information to come forward.
To give information to the police, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 with reference number 12210245826.
To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police appeal after criminal damage to bus stops in Bilton
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after two bus stops were deliberately damaged along a street in Bilton.
The bus stops on Dene Park were damaged overnight on Sunday, January 9.
In summer, the same street was hit with similar incidents of criminal damage in which nine cars were vandalised in minutes. One resident said previously that incidents such as these had been going on for some time.
The police are asking for anyone with information that could help them with the investigation to come forward.
Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask to speak to PC Brendon Frith or email Brendon.Frith@northyorkshire.police.uk.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The reference number is 12220004871.
Police appeal after serious robbery at Harrogate parkNorth Yorkshire Police has appealed for information and witnesses after a serious robbery at a park in Harrogate.
The robbery happened in Panhandle Park close to the Hookstone Chase entrance at around 6.20pm on Thursday, January 6.
A woman in her 50s reported to the police that she was walking through the park when a person approached her and attempted to steal her rucksack.
The suspect reportedly ran off towards the Dalby estate before the woman checked her bag. She noticed that money and medication was missing.
The police have made no arrests and have offered up no description of the suspect.
However, officers investigating are keen to trace a man in his early 30s who was walking a dog in the park at the time and offered assistance to the woman after the incident.
North Yorkshire Police has asked for anyone with information on the break-in to get in touch by calling 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Quote reference number 12220003059 when providing details.
Inquest opens into death of Harrogate suspected murder victimA suspected Harrogate murder victim died from head and torso injuries, according to the coroner who opened an inquest into his death today.
Gracijus Balciauskas, 41, died just before Christmas on the night of Monday, December 20 at a flat on Mayfield Grove.
Jon Heath, senior coroner for York and North Yorkshire, said at the hearing in Northallerton today:
“Mr Balciauskas resided in Harrogate on Mayfield Grove. He was found deceased at the property the following morning.
“The provisional cause of death is by head and torso injuries. This inquest was formally opened on January 6 and adjourned pending further investigation by the police.”
Vitalijus Koreiva, 36, of Mayfield Grove, and Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 38, of no fixed abode, appeared at York Magistrates Court last month charged with murder.
They did not enter pleas and the case was adjourned until February 4.
Suspected Harrogate murder victim named ahead of inquestA suspected Harrogate murder victim has been named ahead of the opening of an inquest into his death tomorrow.
George Balciauskas, 41, died just before Christmas on the night of Monday, December 20 at a flat on Mayfield Grove.
A coroner will open an inquest into the circumstances surrounding Mr Balciauskas’ death tomorrow in Northallerton. The case is likely to be adjourned pending the outcome of the murder trial.
Vitalijus Koreiva, 36, of Mayfield Grove, and Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 38, of no fixed abode, appeared at York Magistrates Court last month charged with murder.
They did not enter pleas and the case was adjourned until February 4.
In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the persistent problems on the streets of Ripon.
Stories about violent and anti-social behaviour in Ripon have featured regularly in the news this year.
Among the most disturbing, was our report in August about a terrifying ordeal for a young boy, who was held up by a man and a youth at knifepoint and robbed of this trainers, mobile phone and jewellery.
The thugs, who threatened to ‘shank’ his leg with the knife if he didn’t do as told, were soon arrested by the police and brought to justice.
In February, a Ripon retailer came to the aid of a man who was being set upon by two vicious thugs in broad daylight.
The retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Stray Ferret the attack occurred when the victim remonstrated with youths who had thrown a snowball at him. He said:
“As I came out of the shop, the man was on the ground and one of the youths was kicking him in the head, while another was stamping on his face.
“I thought that they were going to kill him – I shouted at them and they ran off.”
Earlier that month, we reported on a three-hour spate of crime in Ripon on a Sunday evening that included a man carrying a machete, a robbery, thefts and gangs gathering.
The incidents, included a robbery in which a 23-year-old man suffered facial injuries after being attacked by two or three males, who stole his phone and watch.
Following the incidents, Inspector Alex Langley, head of neighbourhood policing for Ripon, tried to reassure people that the events were being taken seriously and that “we will be taking robust action against those responsible”.
Philip Allott, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner at the time, responded by saying he hoped an increased police presence in the city would send a message that “crime will not be tolerated”. He also urged more residents to “break silence” and report anything suspicious.
“Officers know who the perpetrators are, they have made arrests, they have got a grip on the situation, and I am confident of that.
“One of the problems we have in Ripon is sometimes a wall of silence by certain families and that makes it quite difficult to apprehend people.
“The police will still get those people. It just takes a bit longer.
But further violent and anti-social behaviour in August prompted police to step-up patrols and launch investigations into four separate incidents
At the time, detective superintendent Steve Thomas, of North Yorkshire Police, said:
“Following the success of local policing operations to reduce anti-social behaviour in Ripon over recent months these latest incidents are disappointing.
“We are determined that this small group of individuals are held to account for behaviour that harms the quality of life for everyone else.
“Local residents will see an increase in police presence over the coming days and we want to reassure you that we will do everything necessary to tackle this isolated problem.”
This is just a snapshot of some of the incidents that police in Ripon have had to tackle in 2021. They have also run, in conjunction with Operation Spectre, a national campaign to engage with schoolchildren in the city about the dangers of knife crime and taking drugs.
Sergeant Heidi Lewis, of the schools liaison team, said officers were there to build relationships with the children and answer any questions. She said:
“Education at an early stage is crucial to steer children away from falling into a criminal lifestyle and becoming exploited.
“Some young people think it’s safe to carry a knife in case they need it for self-defence – but this could not be further from the truth. Any knife in the hands of anyone can cost lives.”
The city will be hoping to make headlines for more positive reasons in 2022.
Ripon councillors call on crime commissioner to keep CCTV promiseNorth Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe has been called on by Ripon City Council to keep a promise made by her predecessor regarding the purchase of CCTV cameras to combat violent and anti-social behaviour.
Former commissioner Philip Allott, who resigned in October, said he would pay £20,000 for two cameras out of his PFCC community fund.
He pledged in September to pay for cameras for use in the Bondgate area of the Ripon, following a “mini crime wave”.
He told a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council‘s Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee that his office was willing to pay for the extra cameras, costing £10,000 apiece, if Ripon City Council submitted an application — which it did.
He subsequently resigned before the cameras were bought.
The PFCC has now said in an email to the city council:
“The PFCC community fund is not, at this stage – under the funding criteria as it stands – in a position to support your application for the CCTV requested.”
The email added that the PFCC has agreed with North Yorkshire County Council that a joint strategic approach to a countywide CCTV review will proceed after the May local elections next year.
Ms Metcalfe told the Stray Ferret:
“It is deeply disappointing that the previous commissioner committed resources without advice and full consideration of the funding criteria of the community fund, and I am sorry the city council has been put in this position.
“Unfortunately, if we were to fund CCTV for one area, we would find ourselves in an impossible position of being asked to replicate this type of provision across the whole of York and North Yorkshire.
“The funding pot we have available is simply unable to support this, which is why it is important we take an overall view.
“I give my full assurance to the city council and the residents and businesses of Ripon that my team and I will support them to address their community safety concerns together with the appropriate statutory partners.”
Councillor Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council, said:
“I have been contacted by the commissioner, who has offered to meet with me.
“I will be taking her up on the offer, so that I can press the case that residents in Bondgate were promised by her predecessor two CCTV cameras, which are much-needed to ensure that residents who have felt blighted by anti-social behaviour feel safe.
“The temporary camera installed in Bondgate by Harrogate Borough Council earlier this year had a significant impact and a permanent solution now needs to be delivered as promised.”
Mr Allott, stood down after making comments in a radio interview about the murder of Sarah Everard murder trial.
Two men have been charged with murder after a man was found dead at a flat in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate.
Police arrested the men, 36 and 38, on Monday night after receiving a report at around 11.30pm that a man had died there.
The two men are due to appear at York Magistrates Court.
A third man arrested in connection with the incident has been released with no further action.
DCI Jonathan Sygrove, of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said:
“I’d like to thank local residents for their patience and support while we carry out enquiries. I can reassure people that this was an isolated incident, and officers will remain in the area to provide ongoing reassurance and support to the community.”