Man, 40, charged with attempted murder in Beckwithshaw

A 40-year-old man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder in Beckwithshaw.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with assaulting an emergency worker.

It follows an incident at a house on the main B6161 Otley Road, very close to the local primary school, at about 8.20am on Monday.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:

“We are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have been dropping off children at the school, or commuters passing by, to check their vehicle dashcam and report any footage that may have captured any part of the incident prior to the attendance of the emergency services.”

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101, press 2 and ask to speak to the major investigation team.

Quote reference number 12220105995 when passing on any information.

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New covid advice after Harrogate district rate triples in June

People are being urged to take measures to avoid covid after the rate of infection tripled in the Harrogate district this month.

The covid rate had been decreasing across North Yorkshire since the end of March. But the trend has reversed in recent weeks due to a more transmissible variant of Omicron.

At the end of May, the district’s rate of infection was 55 people per 100,000. It is now 172.

Dr Victoria Turner, public health consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“Cases of covid are once again rising across the UK, including in North Yorkshire.

“The latest increase is being driven by the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron, which has also caused high rates in other countries across the world.

“There is evidence that BA.4 and BA.5 are more transmissible than previous variants, and there is limited protection from infection with previous variants against BA.4 and BA.5.”

Dr Turner said getting vaccinated, meeting outdoors or in well-ventilated areas indoors, wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces, and good hand and respiratory hygiene would reduce the risk of transmission.

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She also advised people with covid symptoms to try to stay at home for five days following the day of their positive result.

Free covid testing is no longer available for most people, but tests can be bought from pharmacies. Dr Turner said:

“It is still best to try to avoid covid infection wherever possible, or minimise the number of times you have it.

“Even if you do not develop severe symptoms from the initial infection you are still at risk of developing long covid, which can be debilitating.

“You are also at increased risk from cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes in the days and weeks following covid infection.”

Sue Peckitt, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group chief nurse and director of nursing and quality, added:

“There are still a significant number of people in our hospitals who have covid and it’s a stark reminder that coronavirus hasn’t gone away. This virus is still causing some people to become very unwell.”

Man arrested for attempted murder of two children in Beckwithshaw

A 40-year-old man has been arrested for the attempted murder of an 11-year-old child and a 10-year-old child, following an incident in Beckwithshaw on Monday.

The man has also been arrested for an assault on an emergency worker.

A 13-year-old child also sustained minor injuries during the incident.

North Yorkshire Police said this morning the man has been released from hospital and is now in police custody for questioning by officers from the major investigation team.

Detective Inspector Steve Menzies, senior investigating officer, said:

“The incident took place around 8:10am both inside and outside a property in Beckwithshaw which is situated on the main road, the B6161 Otley Road, and is very close to the local primary school.

“I reiterate that this incident is not connected to the school, however I am appealing to anyone who may have been dropping off children at the school, or commuters passing by, to check their vehicle dashcam and report any footage that may have captured any part of the incident prior to the attendance of the emergency services”.

The police appealed to anyone with information to contact them by calling 101, then pressing option two and asking to speak to the major investigation team.

Quote reference number 12220105995 when passing on any information.

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Andrew Jones MP writes to Priti Patel about ‘law-breaking’ Travellers

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel about speeding up measures to evict Travellers who break the law.

The Conservative MP said the recent encampment at Hay-a-Park in Knaresborough produced “disorder and anti-social behaviour completely off the scale compared to that associated with previous traveller encampments in our area”.

Mr Jones said his comments were based on reports received from residents, police and landowner Harrogate Borough Council.

Writing on his Community News website, he said:

“Vandalism of property, damage to cars, late night motorbike and quad bike racing through residential estates, break-ins at barns, use of pavements and open space as a toilet were just some of the unpleasantness residents nearby reported and had to put up with.”

Mr Jones added that some Travellers had “took the openness and generosity of spirit which is the hallmark of our communities and simply abused it” and further action was needed to “protect the rights and property of residents against future incursions of this nature”.

Eviction currently takes place three days after notice is served.

“I have written to the Home Secretary asking her to look at ways in which enforcement can be brought forward on the advice of the police where law-breaking occurs from the activities of a travelling community.

“I have also written to our local Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe, asking her to look at the policing of this encampment and to see if any improvements could be made with the benefit of this experience.

“Finally, I have asked the council to look at how it can secure public land more effectively and more anticipate the movements of travelling communities and provide appropriate sites to be used as layovers for them.”

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Mr Jones described the Traveller encampment as “a darker episode for many” amid recent celebrations, such as Knaresborough Bed Race and the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

“I want to make sure that local people and travelling communities can enjoy their everyday lives in peace.

“It is a shame when the minority act in a way that risks labelling the majority and that is what my actions are seeking to avoid.”

 

 

Hound parade cancelled at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

The traditional parade of hounds in the main ring at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show will not take place this year, organisers have confirmed.

The Telegraph reported on Sunday that the parade, which features hunting dogs, had been cancelled due to pressure from animal rights activists.

The newspaper said event organisers Yorkshire Agricultural Society had acted “following a sustained campaign of emails and letters, in particular from a Welsh activist known to be linked to hunt saboteur groups”.

It added the decision had prompted a “backlash” from local farmers who had accused the organisers of “caving unnecessarily over the issue”.

The show, which has taken place annually since 1837, is one of the country’s premier agricultural events.

Princess Anne will be the royal guest at this year’s show, which takes place from July 12 to 15.

The hound show will still take place but the parade in the main ring will not.

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The Stray Ferret asked the society whether the decision was due to pressure from animal rights activists.

A spokesperson from the organisation replied:

“The hound show will be held as usual at the Great Yorkshire Show and we have very strong entry numbers across all types of hounds this year including for Foxhounds, Beagles, Harriers, Draghounds and Bloodhounds.

“Across the site, there have been several changes to the content of the Great Yorkshire Show and this includes in the main ring. All decisions taken are always considered and balanced, and that includes the decision to postpone the hound parade in the main ring this year.

“We remain committed to demonstrating the best of farming and rural life in all its forms to our visitors.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup

Traffic is moving normally across the Harrogate district this morning.

Despite strike action, train services are expected to operate as normal today – however Northern has warned that some disruption is possible.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic and travel roundup.

Roads

Traffic is running as normal this morning, but, as always, be aware of the usual traffic build ups on Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road heading towards Harrogate during rush hour.

Trains and buses

Trains to between York and Leeds are due to run as normal today despite industrial action.

Strike action is due to continue tomorrow and Saturday.

However, Northern has warned that disruption still could take place on non-strike days and previously warned commuters not to travel this week.

You can check train times from Harrogate and Knaresborough here.

Tomorrow (June 23), there will be no trains through Harrogate and Knaresborough due to strike action.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting some early morning cancellations on the numerous routes this morning.

The 36 from Harrogate to Leeds at 7.40am is cancelled. 

Other services including the 1A, 1B, and the 1C are affected. You can find out more here.

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Harrogate buses enjoy strike boom but taxis suffer

The Harrogate Bus Company has reported a 25% increase in customers on the first day of the rail strike.

However, Harrogate taxi drivers have said today “feels like a Sunday” with little trade.

Today’s rail strike left many commuters having to make alternative arrangements.

A spokesman for Harrogate Bus Company said it had anticipated a surge in demand. He added:

“So far, we have carried 25% more customers on the 36 compared to a normal Tuesday.

“All of our buses have ran, including a number of extra 36 buses around rush hour from Harrogate and Leeds to ensure our customers can travel comfortably and rely on us during this time.”

36 bus to Leeds

The 36 bus to Leeds.

By contrast, business has been slow at the taxi rank opposite Harrogate train station.

Paul McMahon, who runs PM Taxis, said:

“It’s been exceptionally quiet. Whether people have made alternative plans or booked the day off, i don’t know.”

Mr McMahon said he had been on the rank opposite the station since 6am in case people whose trains weren’t running needed a ride. But little trade had transpired, he added.

“Today feels like a Sunday. I expected to be busier.”

Harrogate taxi

Richard Fieldman, who owns A1 Cars, said he too had been quiet.

But he added he had two jobs booked tomorrow at Thirsk station, which he suspected were for commuters who were affected by the strike.

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The Harrogate and Knaresborough line is due to operate a limited service tomorrow before the strike resumes on Thursday.

But with six days of disruption expected, rail operator Northern is advising customers to seek alternative travel arrangements.

Harrogate train station this morning.

 

 

Harrogate property developer gets 16-month drink-driving ban

Harrogate property developer Adam Thorpe has been banned from driving for 16 months after being caught almost twice over the legal limit.

Thorpe, 41, of Ingerthorpe Hall, Markington, was stopped by police in November last year on the B6265 near Risplith Hill.

He was found to have 66 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Thorpe pleaded not guilty in April but changed his plea at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday.

Magistrates said his 16-month disqualification from driving would be reduced by 16 weeks if he completed a course.

Thorpe was fined £984. He was also ordered to pay £98 to victim services and costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

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Thorpe announced plans for a £75 million redevelopment of the former Harrogate Borough Council building at Crescent Gardens in 2017.

The plans included luxury apartments, an art gallery, underground car park, swimming pool and restaurant.

But his company ATP Ltd went into administration with debts of almost £11 million.

Online meetings during covid saved council £4m

The introduction of online meetings due to covid saved North Yorkshire County Council £4 million.

An officer’s report to a meeting of the authority’s executive tomorrow reveals the huge amount of money saved as well as environmental benefits.

The staff mileage bill fell by more than £1.7 million In the year to April 2021 compared with the previous 12 months.

Staff drove 4,117,062 fewer miles to meetings than in 2019/20.

The introduction of online meetings by the authority, which employs 15,000 staff, saw a total saving of almost £4 million, the equivalent to more than 2,700 average annual council tax bills.

The report estimates over the two years it saved 369,500 hours, or 49,200 working days, the equivalent to some 233 full-time staff.
It states:

“Over 2,000 employees had moved quickly to work from home at the start of the pandemic and the way in which teams can work remotely and virtually has been transformational.

“There has been a carefully considered approach to developing future ways of working post-covid following whole organisation engagement in 2021.

“Hybrid working has been welcomed by council staff. This new approach provides great flexibility for many roles.”

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The authority, which aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, reduced carbon emissions by 2,710 tonnes over the two years because of the reduced mileage.

The council aims to generate further post-pandemic savings by rationalising its extensive property portfolio as more work is completed virtually and demand for physical meeting spaces has been reduced.

The officer’s report states:

“It should also be noted these savings are just in terms of travelling to and from meetings.

“The savings to individual members of staff working from home, fuel cost and time, and to the environment, will be significantly bigger.

“Although some of these figures will start to increase again as staff return to the office on a more frequent basis, there will be many other benefits that new ways of working have brought us that can be retained.”

7m fewer documents printed

The report highlights other benefits of changed working practices, including improved attendance at multi-agency meetings, the ability to attend more meetings and arrange meetings sooner than if relying on getting people together at the same place.

With many staff working from home and attending meetings online, there has been a sharp reduction in the number of documents being printed.

In the year before the pandemic the council’s staff printed some 14.5 million sheets of paper compared to 7.6 million last year. Over the last two years the reduction in printing has saved the equivalent of 1,800 trees.

The authority’s deputy leader, Councillor Gareth Dadd, said while it remained unclear as to the level of savings that the work practice changes would produce in the coming years, how technology could be used to cut travel would “feature very heavily in our thinking moving forward”.

Police appeal after motorcyclist seriously injured near Harrogate

Police today issued an appeal for witnesses following a crash near Harrogate in which a man suffered serious injuries.

The collision, on the A59 near Kettlesing, involved a white Transit van and a motorcycle.

Both were travelling in the direction of Harrogate.

The incident happened at about 2.30pm on Friday and led to the road being closed for several hours.

The motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision, or anyone with relevant dashcam footage.

If you wish to do so you can call 101 and speak to the force control room, quoting reference number NYP-17062022-253.

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