Police are investigating a suspected hate incident after a Nazi swastika flag was hung from a flat overlooking Harrogate Train Station.
The swastika appeared on Saturday and was visible to commuters until police removed it that night.
It was displayed from the window of a flat on East Parade, high above the train station.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement last night:
“Police in Harrogate are investigating a suspected hate incident after a swastika flag was placed in the window of a flat near Harrogate Train Station on Saturday.
“Two separate complaints were made to North Yorkshire Police.
“Following enquiries, officers attended the property just before 10pm to remove the offensive item.”
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The spokesperson added:
“The matter is now subject to an investigation and the occupant of the flat, who was not present, will be spoken to in due course.
“Officers will also be taking formal statements from the two complainants during the week, as well as conducting further enquiries in the neighbourhood.”
‘We couldn’t believe it’
Harrogate man Thomas Norman, who reported the incident to police, was travelling to the Harrogate Brewing Co. beer festival on Saturday evening when he noticed the swastika at the station. He added:
“We couldn’t believe it at first and had to ask each other if it was what we thought it was, it was uncanny, I’ve never seen that in a real life context.”
It is the second time in just over a year a swastika has been displayed from a property in Harrogate.
On the previous occasion, the man responsible said it was a kriegsmarine flag which he put up to mark the sinking of the Bismarck ship.
Police asked witnesses to the latest incident, or anyone with information, to make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, option 4.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or make an online report.
Quote reference number 12230151540.
Starbeck shows support for Ukraine with giant painted flagA group of Prince of Wales pub regulars have shown their support for Ukraine by painting the country’s flag on the side of a derelict supermarket in Starbeck.
The idea came from Starbeck Community Group’s Lucky Hubbard and pub landlady Alyson Griffiths. They wanted to show Starbeck is behind the war-torn country whilst at the same time tidying up the former McColl’s supermarket that was ravaged by fire in 2018.
Within hours, a group of drinkers at The Prince of Wales had volunteered their time and they have been there from 5am to 7am for the last few mornings painting the blue and yellow flag before they go to work.
The group of painters included John Kean, David Stead, Colin Shiel, Nick Mills and John Read.
It still has doves of peace and sunflowers that will be added next week as well as six new planters and hanging baskets donated by Starbeck Post Office.
Farball Coatings donated £500 worth of paint and Jewson donated the timber.
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Ms Hubbard said:
“The difference is unbelievable. It looks a lot cleaner and tidier.”
Andrew Hart, who set up Starbeck Community Group and owns the post office, said he has been in contact with the landlord of the building who was very supportive of the flag being painted.
He added:
“We wanted to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people during this terrible situation.”
A Starbeck knitting group has decorated this post box with the Ukraine flag.