Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following a theft from Sainsbury’s in Ripon Market Place.
A man entered the store and took about £500 of printer ink. It happened at about 4pm on March 1.
Officers believe the man in the image has information that could help the investigation and are asking anyone who recognises him to get in touch.
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Anyone with any information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 733 Mitchell or email Elliot.Mitchell@northyorkshire.police.uk.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference number 12210069492 when passing on information.
Train staff in Harrogate to wear body camerasRail operator Northern is introducing body cameras for staff to prevent crime on trains and at stations.
The company, which serves Harrogate station, is introducing more than 350 cameras for staff across the north of England.
It says the cameras will provide ‘enhanced protection’ for staff dealing with threatening behaviour.
They will not record all the time but the footage could be used as evidence in criminal cases and could be the deciding factor in securing court convictions.
Northern said in a statement that studies showed body-worn cameras reduced crime.
A freedom of information request recently submitted by the Stray Ferret revealed that since 2018 there were 22 reports of verbal or physical abuse against Northern staff on one of the Harrogate lines.
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British Transport Police chief inspector Lorna McEwan said:
Two arrests after attempted theft from vehicle in Harrogate“A trial using body-worn video cameras showed a significant reduction in assaults against rail staff.
“This is really positive step by Northern. As well as reducing incidents of assault on rail staff by helping to diffuse situations, body worn cameras also reassure the public as they travel through stations and on trains.”
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after two suspects attempted to break into a car on a Harrogate street early this morning.
The force said the incident happened at 12.44am this morning on Connaught Court.
Two men have been arrested and remain in police custody whilst enquiries are ongoing.
The police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell camera footage that could have captured something.
Officers are also asking anyone else who believes thieves have broken into their vehicles to get in touch.
Anyone with information can can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, press option two and ask for James Skaith. Or email the officer via james.skaith@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210079917.
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- A man has been charged after a police officer was left with a fractured kneecap on Tuesday.
- A Harrogate district teacher has been jailed after taking spycam images of pupil.
Andrew Jones MP defends supporting crime bill
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has defended a crime bill that gives police new powers to deal with protests after it was criticised as a “fundamental attack” on freedom of speech.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill covers major government proposals on crime and justice, including changes to protests.
The bill passed its first hurdle this week after an overwhelming vote in favour by Conservative MPs.
All three Conservative MPs whose constituencies include the Harrogate district — Jones, Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams — supported it.
The protest measures drawn up by ministers and police chiefs will mean more conditions are imposed on static demonstrations, including start and finish times, noise limits and penalties for activists causing “serious annoyance”.
At a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Committee today, Liberal Democrat councillor David Goode described the bill as a “a fundamental attack on our democratic rights”.
He said it would “significantly restrict” people’s rights to hold peaceful protests and asked Mr Jones why he voted for it.
Mr Jones responded:
“The underlying principle of freedom of speech and freedom to protest is absolutely unchanged.
“This is about making sure we can protest in a way which doesn’t stop people getting to work or a hospital appointment.
“It is possible to protest without impacting others so what we need to strike therefore is that balance and that is what the bill does.”
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The bill’s second reading was passed by 359 votes to 263 on Tuesday. It also contains dozens of new measures to increase sentences for child killers and other violent criminals, as well as tougher penalties for attacks on police officers and changes to sexual offences legislation.
The most controversial part, however, are the reforms on protests, which garnered extra interest after scenes of police officers restraining women attending a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in London on Saturday.
At present, police need to prove protesters knew they had been told to move on before they can be said to have broken the law.
The bill proposes an offence of “intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance”, which is designed to stop people occupying public spaces to make themselves both seen and heard.
The new laws would also give Home Secretary Priti Patel the authority to define “serious disruption to the life of the community” and “serious disruption to the activities of an organisation” — a concept opponents argue is not clear enough.
Speaking at a debate in the House of Commons this week, the Home Secretary defended the proposed changes to peaceful protests which she said are a “cornerstone of democracy”.
She said:
Man charged after police officer struck by car in Harrogate“This bill will give police the powers to take a more proactive approach in tackling dangerous and disruptive protests. The threshold at which the police can impose conditions on the use of noise at a protest is rightfully high.
“The majority of protesters will be able to continue to act, make noise as they do so now without police intervention.
“But we are changing it to allow the police to put conditions on noisy protests that cause significant disruption to those in the vicinity. As with all our proposals, the police response will still need to be proportionate.”
A 30-year-old man has been charged with three offences after a police officer suffered a fractured kneecap in Harrogate on Tuesday.
The man has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and use of a motor vehicle without third party insurance.
The incident happened at 3.20pm when officers approached a suspicious vehicle in Bewerley Road, Harrogate.
A male police officer underwent surgery and has remained in hospital since the incident.
A 35-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman who were also arrested have been released on conditional bail.
All three people are from Leeds. North Yorkshire Police has not revealed any names.
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Man who killed grandmother in Kirk Deighton crash sent to prison
A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to almost six years in prison after killing a 62-year-old grandmother in a collision on the A168 near Kirk Deighton.
William Charles Jackson, from Wetherby, appeared in York Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to causing the death of the woman and two further counts of causing serious injury due to dangerous driving.
The victim, Maria Cuzyova, was visiting her family from Slovakia when she was killed in the collision in 2019.
Her daughter, Micheala Young, who was driving, and her son-in-law, Nicholas Young, both suffered life-changing injuries. Their five-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries.
Jackson was driving his red Vauxhall Astra along the A168, between Kirk Deighton and Walshford, at around 10pm on April 3, 2019.
As he approached the crest of a hill, with double solid white lines, between the north and southbound carriageways, he claimed he overtook a slower moving vehicle in front of him.
He said he didn’t see the oncoming vehicle, and his fatal manoeuvre led to a head-on collision with the family’s car.
Jackson was sentenced to five years and eight months’ imprisonment and was banned from driving for seven years and ten months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190.
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During sentencing, Judge Simon Hickey made reference to a disturbing text message he sent which he said clearly demonstrated a disregard and lack of respect for road safety and other road users.
Mrs Young said her mum was “full of life”. She said the incident had “ripped apart” the family, both in the UK and Slovakia.
Speaking after Jackson was sentenced, senior investigating officer Traffic Sergeant Kirsten Aldridge, from the North Yorkshire Police Major Collision Investigation Team, said:
Suspected Harrogate murder: police forensics enter home“Maria had just arrived in the UK to visit her family over half term. They were travelling back home after spending a lovely evening together and should have been all been able to return safely.
“I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Major Collision Investigation Team and Forensic Collision Investigation Unit for their hard work and determination in bringing this case to court and securing justice for the family.
“I hope the sentence also acts as a reminder that a poorly judged manoeuvre or a hastily thought through decision can have devastating, fatal effects. So, please drive safely and with consideration to others at all times.”
Police forensics officers entered a home in Harrogate this afternoon where a man is suspected to have been murdered.
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the street in Mayfield Grove just after 10pm last night.
A 48-year-old man was found with serious injuries inside a nearby flat and was certified dead at the scene by ambulance staff.
In an update at 1.14pm this afternoon, North Yorkshire Police said the suspect remained in custody and was being questioned by detectives.
There has been a heavy police presence on Mayfield Grove today. An officer has been posted at the door of the suspected crime scene and a procession of police vans have been coming and going. Shortly after midday a forensics team entered the flat.
The police update urged people not to be worried about the “noticeable police presence in and around the area”.
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Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, who is leading the investigation, said:
“Our investigation is well under way and we can confirm this was a contained incident.
“A man is now in police custody and we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public.
“However, many residents will be understandably anxious about what has happened. There will be a greater police presence in the area, which we hope residents will find reassuring, and officers will be working closely with the community.
“Our specially-trained officers are supporting the deceased man’s family at this difficult time.”
The police appealed to anyone who was in the Mayfield Grove area of Harrogate on Friday night who saw any suspicious activity to contact North Yorkshire Police by calling 101 and selecting option 1.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote incident number 12210072144 when sharing information.
Appeal for witnesses after jewellery stolen from Harrogate homeNorth 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 workingNorth 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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- Man rescued from Ripon attack thought thugs would kill him
- Commission says force ‘took its eye off the ball on Ripon policing
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:
Police issue fine for 200-mile Scotland to Harrogate trip“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.”
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.”