Appeal for witnesses after jewellery stolen from Harrogate home

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information after thieves stole jewellery from a house on Kirkstone Road in Harrogate.

It happened between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday February 17.  Access was gained to the house through a back window.

The items stolen included a gold wedding ring, a gold engagement ring with platinum diamonds and an Armani watch.

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Police are appealing for information about any discarded items or suspicious behaviour in the area of Kirkstone Road and/or Coniston Road around the same time.

Officers would also like to hear from anyone who has any CCTV or dash-cam or doorbell camera footage that may have captured something.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Xavi Lopez or email xavi.lopez@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210061627.

Police say ‘crackdown’ on Ripon crime is working

North Yorkshire Police has said a ‘crackdown’ on crime and antisocial behaviour in Ripon is already paying off.

Ripon has been blighted by crime for months, with five incidents in one three-hour spree earlier in February, including a robbery, thefts and reports of a man carrying a machete.

Since last week, North Yorkshire Police has begun to increase its presence in the city following complaints from residents about the number of officers on the streets.

Inspector Alex Langley, from North Yorkshire Police, said it had already achieved a “significant reduction” in incidents. He said:

“We also saw a reduction in the number of young people out on the streets across the weekend and would like to thank those parents and guardians who continue to support their young people and reinforce that stay home, stay safe message.

“We are actively patrolling. The dedicated operation has seen an increased police presence in and around the city, some more visible than others, and extra teams drafted in to help deter offenders, prevent crime and we continue to enforce where necessary.”

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Cllr Andrew Williams from Ripon City Council told the Stray Ferret the increased police presence was working.

He said:

“I will credit the police, as their profile is more visible. But Rome wasn’t built in a day and it will take a while to get on top of it.”

Earlier this week, a parents group called on the police to ensure the changes are permanent:

“While we welcome this, we want to ensure that it is not simply a cosmetic exercise.

“We need a long-term solution, not a short-term fix.”

Police issue fine for 200-mile Scotland to Harrogate trip

A person has been fined for driving 200 miles from Glasgow to Harrogate to meet a friend in a motorhome.

The unnamed person was one of seven who received fixed penalty notices in the Harrogate district in the past week for lockdown breaches.

The friend, from Wakefield, was also fined.

A total of 186 fixed penalty notices have been issued for lockdown breaches in North Yorkshire over the last seven days — the most in any week during the third lockdown.

Seven were issued in the Harrogate district — all for visitors to the district.

Since January 6, 55 lockdown fixed penalty notices have been issued in the district, with 39 of them going to visitors.

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North Yorkshire Police Superintendent Mike Walker told a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum today the police will continue to target “the reckless minority”.

He said:

“To the public who want to breach regulations and travel into North Yorkshire, we are putting more resources out there to respond to public concerns and reports of breaches.

“Our message to people who think North Yorkshire is the place to come and offer various different unacceptable excuses — expect to be encountered by a police officer.”

£3,000 worth of tools stolen from Harrogate garage

Police are appealing for witnesses after £3,000 worth of tools were stolen from a garage in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police said the garage, on St Catherine’s Road in Harrogate, was burgled on February 3 between 10am and 7.30pm.

Power tools and garden equipment were among the items taken.

North Yorkshire Police is asking anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour or unusual vehicle movements on the street that day to get in touch.

Officers are also appealing for anyone with private CCTV to come forward.

You can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Chloe Kinnear. Or email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210052754.

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Police to ‘clamp down’ on rising criminal activity in Ripon

North Yorkshire Police has said it will be “clamping down” on the troublemakers after a series of incidents in Ripon.

The force said “antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated” following a spike in criminality in recent weeks.

Crimes have included street robberies, assaults on the public and emergency workers, with reports of knives and machetes being used.

Groups of youths are reported to have been breaching lockdown rules and congregating in the market square and bus station.

The police has said a new operation has been introduced to tackle the rise in crime which includes an increase in officers in the city.

The force added this is not a long-term solution and it will continue working with key partners on long term plans to safeguard Ripon residents.

Inspector Alex Langley has spoken out about the increase in criminality in the city. He said:

“Groups of youths have been breaching Covid regulations by congregating in in the Market Square, the bus station, and Bondgate to name a few.

“Whilst we cannot always inform the public of some of the positive results we see due to ongoing investigations and court processes, please rest assured this operation has already seen results.”

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Insp Langley went on to assure residents it is only a small handful of people responsible and the force will continue to patrol and take action to prevent crime.

Addressing young people directly, he said:

“If you commit anti-social behaviour and mindless act of theft and criminal damage we will take every opportunity to investigate and prosecute you.

“As a young person you may not realise that throwing that stone or stealing some alcohol may result in a criminal record. Please stop and think about the consequences of your actions and how your decisions today could impact on your future.”

People can continue to report crime via 101 and 999 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

Ripon teen robber in balaclava steals moped

A group of teenage boys reportedly threatened a 17-year-old with weapons before taking his scooter in Ripon yesterday.

It is the latest robbery in the city, which is currently in the grip of an anti-social behaviour crisis which has led to demands for more police.

This robbery happened in the Hell Wath Grove area. The alleged victims told police a group of teenagers approached him just before 5pm.

He claimed that they threatened him with weapons before he handed over the keys for his moped, which was parked nearby.

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One of the teens rode off on the scooter after the incident and the others all made off on foot.

Police say the boy who rode off on the scooter is around 16 or 17 years old. He was also wearing a black jacket, grey trousers, black trainers and a black balaclava.

The other suspects have been described as 16 or 17 years old, all dressed in dark clothing.

Later that evening police say the scooter was found abandoned on Long Meadows, a short while away from the incident.

Inspector Alex Langley said patrols are increasing in areas described as hotspots for anti-social behaviour. He added:

“We believe these crimes and incidents of anti-social behaviour are being committed by local youths and we are conducting a number of enquires in order to identify these individuals.

“We would also ask parents of teenagers to pass on any information you think could assist. Do you know where your child was yesterday evening? Were they out in Ripon? Were they part of a bigger group? Do your children know anything?

“The information provided by the public is key to helping us target our patrols, identify those responsible and prevent this criminal activity in the future.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 and quote reference number 12210054979.

Serious collision halts traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road

Police and ambulances are responding after a pedestrian was involved in a collision near the Woodlands pub on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

The Esso filling station at the junction with Hookstone Drive has been cordoned off and traffic is unable to head out of town on Wetherby Road.

A car has also been cordoned off.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted minutes ago to say the collision, involving a pedestrian, occurred just before 5pm.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Emergency services are currently dealing with a serious collision involving a pedestrian on Hookstone Chase at #Harrogate, near to the Esso garage on Wetherby Road. It happened just before 5pm. Please follow diversions and avoid area until further notice. pic.twitter.com/dTeuhtdvna

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) February 4, 2021

 

Numerous police and ambulance vehicles are present and traffic diversions are in place.

North Yorkshire Police has asked witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage to call on 101, select option 1, and speak to the force control room. Quote reference number NYP-04022021-0279.

Collision on Wetherby Road

 

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.