Three men are due to appear in court next week charged with conspiracy to steal and aggravated vehicle taking after they targeted three ATMs, including one in Starbeck.

The men targeted the ATMs between March 4 and March 10 and started with an attack on one in in Doncaster where large amounts of cash were stolen.

They subsequently targeted another in Shepshed, Leicestershire and one in Starbeck, Harrogate – both of these attempts were unsuccessful.

Police arrested the men following a high speed pursuit in York in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10. 

Read more:

• District police hope week of action will keep knives off streets
• Police record 64 speeders in an hour in Harrogate operation

The stolen vehicle they were driving, a white Seat Leon, was later found abandoned in a hedge near the York Designer Outlet shopping centre.

The three suspects were found in a tree shortly afterwards when they were spotted by the NPAS police helicopter.

They will appear before York Crown Court on Thursday, November 26.

Police in the Harrogate district hope that a national week of action will help keep knives and other weapons off the streets.

North Yorkshire has low knife crime rates so officers will use Operation Sceptre as more of a deterrent than a reaction.

The national week of action, which starts today, will raise awareness of the dangers of knives in person and online.

Detective superintendent Fran Naughton, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“There is no reason to carry a knife, and no place for knife crime, in North Yorkshire. Operation Sceptre is a good opportunity for both education and enforcement.

“Levels of knife crime in our area are low, but we cannot be complacent. Even with the current covid-19 restrictions in place, crime hasn’t stopped.”

The police want to use this week to highlight the potentially fatal consequences of carrying a knife.

Read more:

• Two arrested over county lines drug dealing in Ripon
• Woman, 72, in court today on cannabis production charges

The National Police Chiefs’ council lead for knife crime, deputy assistant commissioner Graham McNulty, added:

“Police forces up and down the country work tirelessly in bringing violent offenders involved in knife crime to justice.

“While the causes and drivers of knife crime are complex, early intervention and putting in place measures to tackle the root causes are absolutely essential.”

A Harrogate shoplifter who was caught in possession of a meat cleaver has been jailed for 11 months.

Colin Bradley, 33, of Hargrove Road, had been carrying the lethal weapon at Asda in Harrogate where he stole two bottles of Jack Daniel’s whisky, York Crown Court heard today.

The fresh-produce manager stopped Bradley as he was leaving the store with the whisky bottles. Bradley was at first co-operative, said prosecutor Martin Bosomworth.

But when the male employee noticed more items in his jacket and pockets and asked him if he had stolen anything else, Bradley became aggressive and a “stand-off” ensued.

Mr Bosomworth told the court:

“(Bradley) put his hand in his pockets (where the blade was) and said, ‘Do you want it then?’”

“The (named manager) formed the impression that the defendant had some kind of knife.”

Fearing for his safety, the manager got out of Bradley’s way and let him leave the store.

Shortly after, police stopped Bradley and asked him if he was carrying a weapon. He pulled out a meat cleaver and handed it over.

Numerous thefts

Bradley, who was drunk and possibly high on drugs, was arrested and brought in for questioning. He refused to answer police questions about the incident on March 3.

He was released on bail pending further enquiries.

During this time, local shops and supermarkets provided CCTV evidence showing the convicted thief had targeted other stores since the beginning of February.

In one incident on February 10 he stole four packs of Stella Artois, food items and ready meals from the Co-op store on Knaresborough Road. He returned to the same shop later in the day to steal a multi-pack of tuna and a pack of Foster’s lager.

After being released on bail, he stole four cases of Jack Daniel’s and two packs of lager from the Co-op store on King Edward Drive on May 5.

Just over two weeks later, he targeted Sainsbury’s supermarket in Knaresborough where he stole cases of San Miguel beer. He returned to the store in June when he stole chicken breasts and pasta sauce.

Knuckle duster

Bradley was sentenced today after pleading guilty to possessing a bladed article in public and seven counts of theft.

The court heard he had 10 previous convictions for offences including possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in 2014. His other convictions included carrying a knuckle duster, serious violence and drug offences.

Defence barrister Ashleigh Metcalfe said that Bradley had been binge-drinking and homeless during his four-month thieving spree.

Since the meat-cleaver incident, he had been trying to curb his drinking and drug-taking, which had been exacerbated by family bereavements.

But judge Simon Hickey said carrying a meat cleaver in public was such a serious offence that it had to be immediate custody.

The judge added that Bradley’s previous conviction for possessing a blade or offensive weapon meant he was liable to a minimum jail term as a “second-striker”.

Jailing Bradley for 11 months, Mr Hickey added:

“Anybody who carries a meat cleaver (must expect) an immediate custodial sentence, even though one was never taken out (of the defendant’s pocket).”

Bradley will serve half of the sentence behind bars before being released on prison licence.

A 19-year-old male from Harrogate appeared in court on Saturday less than 24 hours after being arrested on suspicion of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply.

North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team, which tackles county lines drug crime, arrested the man on Cheltenham Mount, Harrogate on Friday morning.

Officers chased the male on foot after suspecting a drug deal was taking place.

A quantity of suspected crack cocaine was seized by officers.

The 19-year-old was charged with possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and remanded in custody.

On Saturday morning, he appeared at York Magistrates’ Court (sitting in Leeds). The case has been sent for trial on November 9.

Read more:

• A suspected stabbing left a man with a punctured lung but the attacker was spared from prison. 
• The police said the stabbing on Harcourt Drive, Harrogate, is “not suspicious”. 

The police said typical signs of cuckooing – drug dealers taking over a vulnerable person’s home to sell and store drugs – are:

• Increased callers and cars at the property
• Increased antisocial behaviour at a property
• Not seeing the resident for long periods of time

Signs that a young person may be being exploited, include:

• Frequently going missing from school or home
• Unexplained money, clothes, or mobile phones
• Carrying weapons
• Significant decline in school results / performance
• Significant changes in emotional well-being

If anyone has any information, they can call North Yorkshire Police on 101. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police have charged a 72-year-old Harrogate woman with producing cannabis after a raid in the town at the weekend.

North Yorkshire Police attended reports of a disturbance on Saturday evening and found “cannabis littering the entire street” on Alexandra Road.

The officers investigated a house on the road and discovered a “large quantity” of cannabis plants inside.

Not long after the police also discovered two other cannabis grows on Somerset Road and on Woodlands Road.

1/3 *Last Night*
Attended a street in #Harrogate following the report of some vehicle disorder. At scene we have found a large quantity of cannabis littering the entire street. A nearby property was identified as insecure and evidence of a substantial Cannabis grow found.. pic.twitter.com/AVmpFtgw83

— Just Dave! (@PC_769) September 27, 2020

Six other suspects travelling in two vehicles left the scene of the original incident on Alexandra Road but Hertfordshire Police intercepted and arrested them.

The six people were charged with possession of class B drugs with intent to supply. They were sent to court, which remanded them in custody.

A man in his 20s was also arrested on Monday and has since been released on bail, taking the total number of arrests up to eight.

The 72-year-old woman was charged with three counts of cannabis production and awaits a trial at crown court on bail.

The measure was designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus but some fear that the 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants will have the opposite effect.

Shocking scenes from around the country of people partying on the streets minutes after 10pm.

While there were no street parties in the Harrogate district a viral video captured by Joshua Murphy in York uncovered how some responded to the new rule.

In the video hundreds of people gathered, danced and sang before a police van turned up to try and disperse the crowds.

https://www.facebook.com/JoshwaaaaaDJ/videos/10158693489882480

Read more:

• Arrests after heroin and crack cocaine seized in Harrogate
• Fifteen arrests in North Yorkshire county lines crackdown
• Ripon businessman jailed for 80mph police chase in Knaresborough

North Yorkshire Police released a statement in response to the viral video from York to say they did not make any arrests but dispersed people in under 30 minutes.

The force has said it will support hospitality businesses to ensure crowds do not gather outside premises and to ensure that customers observe the rule of six.

Superintendent Mike Walker, gold commander for North Yorkshire Police’s response to Covid-19, said:

“It’s very clear that we are at a turning point now, where everyone’s personal choices will have a significant effect upon the rate at which this virus spreads over the coming weeks. Through engagement and encouragement, we will continue to support and assist those who are taking the necessary steps to suppress the spread.”

Rob Bowles, chair of North Yorkshire Police Federation, told the Stray Ferret:

“The federation supports North Yorkshire Police’s response to the street parties over the weekend. In order to prevent something like this happening again I think the government needs to educate the public not just on what the restrictions are but also why the restrictions have come into place.”

A 20-year-old man and 16-year-old boy were arrested in Harrogate on Saturday after being found carrying large quantities of class A drugs.

North Yorkshire Police said the pair were seen acting suspiciously in the Library Gardens area of town.

Officers from the force’s Operation Expedite team, which tackles drug crime, stopped the males.

A large quantity of suspected heroin and crack cocaine was seized and the pair were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

The 20-year-old was later released on bail and the 16-year-old released while under investigation. The police said enquiries are continuing.

This arrest was part of North Yorkshire Police’s attempts to disrupt county lines drug dealing.

The drugs found on the pair were suspected class A drugs.

Read more:

• The police have released footage of a high speed chase through Knaresborough. 
• During its week-long crackdown on county lines activities North Yorkshire Police made 15 arrests and visited 64 vulnerable people. 

County lines dealing is when dealers travel from outside the county to bring drugs into its towns. Vulnerable and young people are often forced to sell the drugs.

To report information of drug dealing in the area, call North Yorkshire Police on 101. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or contact them online here.

A 16-year-old girl from Harrogate has been arrested following reports of multiple damaged cars in two streets in Harrogate.

Four vehicles and some sunflowers were damaged on St Andrew’s Avenue and Fairfax Avenue, between 2.15am and 2.40am on Sunday morning.

The girl has been released under investigation as the police continue their enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Alex Jackson said:

“A 16-year-old girl was arrested following reports of cars and sunflowers being damaged in Harrogate and has been released under investigation whilst enquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with any information, CCTV or dash cam footage that can help our investigation should please come forward and speak to us.

“If there are any further victims who have had their cars damaged in the area recently, please report it to us if haven’t already done so.”

Anyone with information is being asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote the crime reference number 12200165553.

Read more:

• Police are appealing for information after a spate of burglaries took place in Harrogate last week.
• A large-scale cannabis farm has been discovered in a former nightclub in Ripon. 

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a spate of house burglaries in the Harrogate area in recent days.

The incidents occurred on Beckwith Road, Grove Street, Hutton Gate, Chatsworth Place and St John’s Road from Tuesday to Friday.

Burglars entered the homes through insecure doors and took car keys, house keys, a wallet and a handbag, which were within easy reach,

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incidents, including details about youths who have reportedly been going door-to-door trying for any insecure premises.

“If you have seen any suspicious vehicles or persons please contact the police.”

Police have urged people to keep their houses secure at night.

Read more:

• Harrogate police treatment centre reopens
• Police arrest man after incident in Harrogate Town centre

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Elizabeth Estensen . You can also email elizabethestensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200162246.

The son of the police officer who lead the investigation in to Dennis Nilsen is running this year’s London marathon for the Harrogate Police Treatment Centre.

Simon Jay is the son of DCI Peter Jay, who is currently being portrayed by actor Danny Mays on ITV’s drama Des.

The programme, whose last episode aired last night, follows the police investigation into the London serial killer which resulted in a life sentence for six counts of murder and two of attempted murder.

Simon speaks of his father as his “hero” and says seeing him on the screen is “strange”. Peter Jay died only a few months before the ITV researchers contacted him, and since then Simon has met them to offer his father’s files and information on the case.

After suffering with his own mental ill health, Simon works within that sector and closely with the Police Treatment Centres charity.

Simon said:

“It’s very strange – he’s always been my hero so it’s nice for everyone else to see him like that – it makes me very proud.

“It took five years to research – although it’s a drama it does tell the story as it would have happened. The only difference is that he wouldn’t have been scared of anything at the crime scene, but it’s to get the drama across.

“He was a little more assertive and would always take control, when Danny says, ‘He gets away with nothing’, that was Dad all over.

“I think he’d have been quite embarrassed by the show, but he would have liked that all the officers were highlighted rather than just him. To him it was just a job.”

Simon, with his mum Linda and dad Peter three months before he passed away.

Simon is running this year’s virtual marathon in aid of the Police Treatment Centres, including its service on Harlow Moor Road in harrogate. The charity treats around 4,000 police family patients each year from across the country, offering support for physical and psychological injuries.

He added:

“I was blown away by their dedication to police officers. They are so passionate and I knew they needed more support and I wanted to help.”

To support Simon, click here.

A spokesperson for the Police Treatment Centres said:

“We are delighted that Simon is taking part in the Virtual London Marathon in aid of The Police Treatment Centres. Simon has worked alongside us for some time now to facilitate a roll-out of the Thrive mental health app for our patients.

“As a charity, we rely heavily on donations. Whilst we had to close our residential facilities during the pandemic, we lost income. Fundraisers like Simon play a key role in raising the funds we need to ensure we are there for future generations of the police family.”