Flood warnings are active on low-lying areas alongside the rivers Ure, Skell and Nidd in the Ripon, Boroughbridge and Harrogate areas this morning. The Environment Agency issues flood warnings when flooding is expected and immediate action is required. One was installed in Ripon last night due to rising river levels. The Environment Agency said:

“Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Laver, River Skell, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around riverside properties including Firs Avenue and properties either side of Alma Weir.”

Another warning is active for Boroughbridge camping and caravan site along the Ure. It says the river level is expected to peak at around 2.2m at Westwick Weir this morning, A separate warning was issued at 12.48am this morning for the nearby River Tutt in Boroughbridge where properties next to the river are expected to flood. The only part of the River Nidd with a flood warning is at Birstwith, where the Environment Agency said at 4.48am this morning:

“Areas most at risk include properties situated along Wreaks Road, Clint Bank and Broomfield Road.”

Less severe flood alerts, which indicate flooding is possible but not likely, are in place for the upper, middle and lower Nidd catchment areas A flood warning for the Lower River Ure was issued at 1.48am last night but was downgraded to an alert at 8.31am, with the Environment Agency now saying:

“Flooding is possible on low-lying land including agricultural land and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton.”

The River Crimple, Lower Dunsforth Access and the Nidd at Hunsingore also have flood alerts in place. Lighter rain is expected this morning before a 48-hour dry period proceeds more rain.

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A career burglar and “persistent thief” has been jailed for two years for a series of raids, while he was on a suspended sentence, for breaking into Harrogate hair salons.

Anthony Fraser, 38, targeted three premises including a bar and a restaurant in Harrogate town centre just three months after receiving a suspended prison sentence for raiding two hairdressers, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Kelly Clarke said that on April 26 the “recidivist” burglar raided North Bar in Cheltenham Parade after using a crate to smash a glass door. He then stole £500 of items including £198 of alcohol.

About a month later, he targeted a property under renovation at Princess Square after scaling the rear brick wall. He tried to force the door open but was unsuccessful and ran off.

On August 7, he stole more than £500 from a safe at the Estabulo restaurant on Albert Street after breaking in through a rear fire door. CCTV captured him looking around the office for a key to the safe before stealing the contents and riding off on a pushbike.

Fraser, of Swan Road, Harrogate, admitted two counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary with intent to steal. All three offences were in breach of his eight-month suspended prison sentence for three burglaries committed in January.

In those raids, Fraser stole thousands of pounds’ worth of products from the Hart & Hart hair salon and Nathan Cosgrove Barbers, both on Commercial Street, on the same weekend.

CCTV showed him smashing a window at Hart & Hart in the early hours of the morning, evidently with a brick. He then left but returned a few hours later and reached in through the smashed window to steal hair straighteners worth over £300.

He left the Nathan Cosgrove salon a “mess” after ransacking the place and stole about 30 items worth £6,851. He also took the till.

The following day, police raided a “drug den” in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, where they found Fraser and a suitcase containing a “large amount of barbering equipment”.

Fraser had over 30 previous convictions for 50 offences, the majority for theft and kindred, dating back more than 20 years.

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He appeared for sentence for the new offences via video link yesterday after being remanded in custody.

Addicted to Benzodiazepine

Defence barrister Danielle Gilmour conceded that Fraser, a drug addict, was an inveterate burglar who “goes around looking for (opportunities) to burgle”.

She said that Fraser, who had been living in a hostel in Harrogate after being spared prison in March, was addicted to the prescription drug Benzodiazepine.

Recorder Dafydd Enoch KC branded Fraser a “recidivist burglar” with an “appalling” record.

“You have a very long history of burglary and other dishonesty offences,” added Mr Enoch.

“Most, if not all of it, is born out of a long-standing drug problem.”

He criticised Fraser for targeting yet more premises in Harrogate just three months after receiving the suspended sentence, including a “small business” from which he stole £500 cash.

Fraser was jailed for two years, of which he will serve half behind bars before being released on prison licence.

Homes are at risk of flooding, travel is disrupted and attractions have closed as rain affects the Harrogate district. Follow our live blog for Storm Babet updates.

Please send storm news from your area to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

6.10pm: RSPCA urges pet owners to keep animals safe

RSPCA water rescue teams are on standby.

RSPCA inspectorate commissioner Dermot Murphy said:

“In areas affected by flooding owners should be looking to bring small animals inside and move them upstairs, while livestock should be taken up to higher ground with enough emergency supplies for their needs. If householders do have to leave animals behind when they evacuate properties then they should keep them inside an upstairs room with plenty of food and water.

“Wild animals can also struggle in stormy weather but people can help them too. For example, they could leave some extra food out for hungry birds above ground level and perhaps even provide shelter for ground-nesting birds.”

5.48pm: Patio flooding in Killinghall

Reader Simon Beckett has sent us this photo of his patio in Killinghall, where standing water is beginning to accumulate.

If you have photos showing the impact of the storm please send them to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

5.18pm: Northern warns of ‘ongoing disruption’ on trains

Rail operator Northern has urged people to check here for service updates before setting off.

4.51pm: Environment Agency warns of more flood warnings

The Environment Agency has just issued a press release saying more flood warnings are expected to be issued, including in Yorkshire in the next 24 hours.

It says:

People are being urged to prepare for the risk of significant flooding for the rest of this week. The public should sign up to flood warnings and check the latest safety as heavy downpours are likely to fall on saturated ground.

4.16pm: Don’t visit the coast, urges North Yorkshire Council

In case you were thinking of heading to Scarborough, North Yorkshire Council has issued a press release advising against it.

Marine Drive was closed today due to overlapping seawater and street furniture being blown around in high winds.

A decision has also been made to cancel this evening’s two shows at Scarborough Spa as Spa Road will be closed due to the risk of overtopping. The cliff lift is also out of action because of the high winds.

3.45pm: Plane skids off runway at Leeds Bradford Airport

Emergency services are at the scene. You can read more here.

3.05pm: Persistent rain forecast until 4am

The amber weather warning for the Harrogate district is in place until 6pm tonight but the Met Office is still forecasting rain until 4am tomorrow morning followed by more intermittent lighter rain until 11am tomorrow.  The sun may make an appearance on Sunday.

2.12pm: Flood warning removed for Pannal and Burn Bridge

The Environment Agency has removed its flood warning for parts of Pannal and Burn Bridge alongside the River Crimple — also known as Crimple Beck. It was issued at 4.14am. However, a less severe flood alert remains in place in the wider River Crimple catchment area.

Five other flood alerts remain active in the Harrogate district, including this one for the Middle River Nidd catchment area.

1.16pm: Mother Shipton’s to close tomorrow

Mother Shipton’s in Knaresborough has posted on social media:

“Due to the ongoing extreme weather conditions, we have made the decision to close the attraction on Saturday, October 21.”

12.47pm: ‘Do not ignore road closed signs’, say firefighters

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a social media post urging drivers not to drive into floodwater or ignore road closed signs. You can read more here.

11.58am: Met Office upgrades local weather warning to ‘amber’. 

A yellow weather warning has been in place for the Harrogate district until tomorrow morning. But the Met Office has now upgraded to a more severe amber alert from midday until 6pm today.

It said persistent heavy rain was likely to lead to some flooding and disruption.

11.22am: Power cuts in Great Ouseburn

Northern Powergrid’s live power cuts map currently shows 52 homes in Great Ouseburn and Little Ouseburn are without power. But this appears to be the only part of the Harrogate district affected right now.

10.44am: Fountains Abbey and RHS Harlow Carr closed

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, including the deer park, are closed all day. RHS Harlow Carr announced yesterday it would close today and its autumn garden weekend had also been cancelled.

10.30am: Current flood alerts and warnings

Here is the current Environment Agency map showing flood alerts and flood warnings in the Harrogate district. You can read more about each incident here. If you live near any and can provide any updates and images email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will share the information.

10.21am: Harrogate to Leeds trains ‘returning to normal’

Rail operator Northern has posted on social media that the line between Harrogate and Leeds has reopened and services are returning to normal. The line closed due to flooding. However, Northern adds some services may still be delayed or cancelled.

10.11am: Flood alerts all along the River Nidd

The Environment Agency currently has flood alerts in place for the upper, middle and lower River Nidd. There are also alerts for the Lower River Ure at Ripon, the Lower Dunsforth Access and the River Crimple catchment. A more serious flood warning remains in place for the River Crimple at Burn Bridge and Pannal.

An 18-year-old has pleaded guilty to obstructing police on duty following an incident outside McDonald’s in Harrogate yesterday.

Alfie Stevens, of Coates Street, Bradford, appeared before York Magistrates Court today.

He was charged with obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty and breaching bail conditions, however, the latter charge was withdrawn by the court.

Magistrates took Stevens’ guilty plea into account and closed the case after concluding his time spent in detention in custody was sufficient.

A 16-year-old girl was also charged with obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty, as well as obstructing a person assisting a constable in execution of their duty.

She is due to appear at Harrogate Youth Court next month.

The incident took place at 1.40pm outside McDonald’s on Cambridge Road.

Read more:

• Man arrested after incident outside Harrogate McDonalds
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An eight-week-old puppy was stolen by two people posing as police officers at Harrogate bus station yesterday, according to her owners.

The incident occurred between 4pm and 5pm.

Sophie, who is a cross between a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua, had only been with Michael Stuart and his partner since Tuesday, October 17.

Mr Stuart posted on Facebook this morning:

“My partner had our puppy stolen from her on Thursday evening at Harrogate bus station by two people posing as police officers.”

He told the Stray Ferret his partner, who is Hungarian and speaks little English, became confused when approached. He said:

“She could not understand them – they were posing as the police.

“She panicked and handed the dog over to them.”

The couple reported the incident to the police last night. However, the dog has now been returned to its owners.

Mr Stuart said:

“A couple found the dog nearby and took her home last night. They saw the Facebook post and contacted police.

“We are so very lucky.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the “incident is now closed” following the return of the puppy.

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Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough used breathing apparatus to tackle a factory fire in Birstwith.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of a fire in a flour drying unit measuring 60 metres x 20 metres at Kerry Ingredients at 12.29pm yesterday.

Its incident report said:

“The fire caused 30% fire damage and 50% smoke damage to the drying unit only.

“The cause of the fire was overheating product in the dryer. Crews used two breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, a thermal imaging camera, a triple extension ladder and small tools to deal with the incident.”

It is not the first time firefighters have been called to the three-storey former mill.

In August last year, Ripon and Knaresborough crews used breathing apparatus to tackle a blaze in a drying plant.

The cause of the incident was not revealed.

Read more:

• Firefighters called to blaze at factory in Birstwith
• More parking fines issued at Valley Drive than any other Harrogate street

Stump Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge is set to feature in a well-known Channel 5 programme next week.

The Hotel Inspector, which is led by former hotelier Alex Polizzi, offers guidance to hotels and businesses on how to redirect themselves and avoid closing down.

Lisa Bowerman, owner of Stump Cross Caverns, told the Stray Ferret she saw a post from Channel 5 on Facebook looking for businesses to be part of the show.

She said:

“I was scrolling Facebook in February, and I noticed an advert calling for any business who needed help during these unprecedented times, including tourist attractions, to get in touch.

“We had watched The Hotel Inspector and had seen how Alex could turn businesses around, so I emailed straight away!”

The caverns have been open since 1860, but Ms Bowerman has been running the business for the last 20 years.

However, she added “after that long you don’t always see the things that need changing”.

“I applied because I was on my knees – I was knackered — I really needed an expert opinion on how to redirect the business into profitability.”

A spokesperson from Channel 5 said Alex quickly realised the business needed “streamlining and smartening”.

The filming finished towards the end of June and Alex’s “formidable force” has made a “massive difference to the business”, Ms Bowerman added.

“I cannot begin to tell you what it meant to have the expert support and guidance and motivation of Alex and her team.

“We will be forever grateful, and it will be something I never forget. Alex’s guidance has made us realise our mistakes.

“The changes have been successful, and we now feel we are on the right path.”

The episode will air next Tuesday, October 24, at 9pm on Channel 5.

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RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate has announced it will close tomorrow and its Autumn Garden Weekend has been cancelled due to Storm Babet.

The Autumn Garden event was due to take place this weekend on Saturday (October 21) and Sunday (October 22).

However, the RHS said in an email today:

“The extreme weather means it will not be possible to set up the event as planned on Friday and therefore the garden will be closed in order to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers.”

The announcement follows a weather warning issued by the Met Office earlier this week.

It said the Harrogate district will see heavy rain from 9pm on Wednesday to 6am on Saturday.

The RHS added it will “monitor the weather” and hopes to reopen the garden as usual on Saturday.

It added:

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this is likely to cause, and we thank you for your understanding.”

More parking fines have been issued at Valley Drive than any other street in Harrogate, with the council collecting over £73,000 from motorists since 2021.

Valley Drive, which runs adjacent to Valley Gardens, has topped the list for the most on-street PCNs issued in the town during each of the last three years.

North Yorkshire Council, which controls parking in the county, supplied its parking fine data for Harrogate to the Local Democracy Reporting Service following a freedom of information request.

In 2021, there were 1,402 penalty charge notices (PCN) issued on Valley Drive which generated £35,153 for the council.

The number fell to 978 PCNs last year worth a combined £23,814.

So far in 2023, the council has issued 672 PCNs which has brought in £15,070.

Valley Drive is in a disc zone which is when motorists display a paper disc with the clock set to the time of arrival in order to receive free parking.

Read more:

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However, if motorists do not display a disc after they park, or they stay longer than their allotted time, they are liable to receive a PCN worth £50 — which is reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days.

North Yorkshire Council said it has stepped-up patrols on Valley Drive which has reduced the number of offences.

The street with the second-highest number of parking fines is West Park, which is next to a section of the Stray and hospitality venues including Weetons, the Coach and Horses and the Yorkshire Hotel.

There have been 1,399 PCNs issued on West Park since 2021 generating a total of £30,382.

Other streets to make the top 3 include St Mary’s Walk, James Street and Station Parade.

Steve Brown, North Yorkshire Council’s head of parking services, said:

“Our parking officers patrol areas with both waiting and stopping restrictions. The patrolling is random, but the areas that appear to cause the most breaches are patrolled more often until more motorists comply.

“The statistics for Valley Drive show that our tactic is working, as the number of notices has dramatically decreased in the last few years.”

The full figures are below:

2021

1. Valley Drive: 1402 PCNs generating £35,153.

2. West Park: 463 PCNs generating £10,037.

3. St Mary’s Walk: 390 PCNs generating £9,977.35

2022

1. Valley Drive: 972 PCNs generating £23,814.

2. West Park: 543 PCNs generating £12,382.

3. James Street: 505 PCNs generating £13,700.

2023 (up to September)

1. Valley Drive: 672 PCNs generating £15,070.

2. West Park: 393 PCNs generating £8,005.

3. Station Parade: 343 PCNs generating £5,260.

Planned repairs and overnight closures of Harewood Bridge near Harrogate have been postponed due to a weather warning.

The specialist works to the grade-II listed bridge would have seen an upgrade to the surfacing on the road. A 15-mile diversion would have also been in place.

Leeds City Council was due to close the bridge overnight on Wednesday (October 18) and Thursday (October 19) between 9pm and 5.30am.

However, in an email from Connecting Leeds, people were told the plans have been delayed due to “Storm Babet and heavy rain forecast”.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council added:

“For the works to happen, conditions must be absolutely dry for the period of treatment to the road surface.

“Alternative arrangements are being looked into by the contractor about how we carry out this work with wetter and possibly unpredictable weather ahead.”

The Met Office issued a weather warning on Monday for rain in the Harrogate district from 9pm on Wednesday to 6am on Saturday.

The grade-II listed structure carries the A61 Harrogate Road over the River Wharfe and is a busy route between Harrogate and Leeds.

The plans at Harewood Bridge followed four weeks of works to the bridge over the summer holidays.

Read more:

• Harewood Bridge to close again for repairs
• Met Office issues four-day rain warning for Harrogate district