Hand grenade detonated in Harrogate

A controlled explosion took place in the Harrogate area after a person found a hand grenade.

North Yorkshire Police revealed it was one of two suspected explosives found in Harrogate over the weekend.

The other, which was fished out of a river by an angler, turned out to be harmless.

Police were alerted to the hand grenade at 9.30pm on Friday night. The force said in a statement:

“A member of the public rang us having found a hand grenade in the Harrogate area. We attended immediately and were at the scene a few minutes later.

“A cordon and scene guard were put in place to keep everyone safe while we contacted our colleagues at explosive ordnance disposal.

“A farmer kindly allowed us to use his field, and explosive ordnance disposal attended and safely detonated the grenade in daylight hours the following day.”

The angler’s metal object, discovered on Sunday, turned out to be nothing fishy.

But North Yorkshire Police received reports of a third suspicious item by a man clearing a barn in Craven. This one required detonating.

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Police said in a statement:

“We dealt with three calls relating to suspected explosives unearthed over the weekend.

“The result: two of them were unexploded devices that needed to be detonated at a safe distance – the third was just a battered piece of metal.

“In all three incidents the finders did the right thing by contacting us.”

They advised anyone discovering suspicious looking items not to touch them, leave them alone and move at least 50 metres away before calling the police on 101.

“As we did over the weekend, we’ll assess what you’ve told us, and contact explosive ordnance disposal who can take any necessary action.”

 

Police anti-social driving clampdown makes 10 arrests in Harrogate district

A police operation to clampdown on anti-social driving made 10 arrests and seized 12 vehicles in the Harrogate district in two years, new figures show.

North Yorkshire Police launched Operation Chrome back in June 2020 in an effort to tackle noisy cars and anti-social driving of “high-powered vehicles”.

Figures obtained by the Stray Ferret via a Freedom of Information request show that in the Harrogate district the force made 10 arrests and seized 12 vehicles as part of the operation up to June 7, 2022.

Officers also made eight charges as a result of the clampdown on drivers.

Superintendent Steve Thomas, the county commander at North Yorkshire Police, said Operation Chrome was an ongoing operation.

He said:

“Operation Chrome is a rolling programme of operations using a range of tactics to disrupt anti-social behaviour in and around the Harrogate area, with a particular focus during the summer months.

“This initial period of activity has been successful and we will continue to do all we can to deal with these issues.”

Tackling ‘irresponsible’ drivers

The force launched the operation in the summer of 2020 and pledged to focus on “the irresponsible behaviour of some drivers which is not only unsafe but also highly disruptive”.

Harrogate often attracts drivers, sometimes in modified vehicles, racing around the main roads, particularly during summer.

As part of the operation, police increase patrols in hotpots and roll out more speed cameras across town, vehicle stops and detailed CCTV reviews.

The clampdown has seen cars seized by officers, including a Ferrari sports car which was towed away outside Harrogate Convention Centre in August 2021.

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Police hunt for Harrogate man accused of animal cruelty

Police are searching for a Harrogate man accused of animal cruelty charges.

A court issued a warrant for the arrest of Charlie Nelson after he failed to turn up to face an animal welfare case.

Nelson, 28, is believed to be in the Harrogate area.

A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:

“Police are searching a number of locations in the area and are appealing for information from the public.”

The force urged anyone with information to dial 101, select option 1 and quote reference number 12210262539.

Alternatively, you can pass on information anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.

Man dies after three-car crash at Scotton

A man in his 80s has died after a three-car collision on Ripley Road at Scotton.

A Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza were involved in the crash, which happened at about 6.15pm on Sunday.

Police, fire crews and and an air ambulance were summoned to help.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the driver and passenger of the Focus, who were a man and woman in their 50s, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The man in his 80s, who has not been named, was driving the Fiesta.

A police statement added:

“North Yorkshire Police’s major collision investigation team has launched an investigation.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet come forward, or anyone with dashcam footage, is asked to email marie.williams@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Marie Williams.

Please quote reference 12220115083.”

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Overturned lorry causes road closure at Allerton Park interchange

Update 3pm – the road has now reopened

Allerton Park interchange near Knaresborough is currently closed after a lorry overturned.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted at 2.10pm this afternoon that it was dealing with the incident and there was no access from Allerton Park towards York via the A59 whilst the vehicle is recovered.

It urged motorists to avoid the area, which is at junction 47 of the A1(M).

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1544309485828771844

 

It is not known if anyone was injured in the incident.

Harrogate Borough Council has tweeted the incident could cause delays to bin collections.

Due to delays on the A59 at Jct 47 of the A1(M), some household waste collections may be delayed today as we struggle to get to Allerton Waste Recovery Park. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) July 5, 2022

 

Appeal after indecent exposure at Newby Hall

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after a man exposed himself to a group of three women at Newby Hall.

The naked man approached the women on the woodland walk in the gardens of the hall at about 3.40pm on Thursday last week.

Officers are looking for any witnesses who were in Newby Hall gardens at the time.

The hall is situated between Boroughbridge and Ripon.

A police statement said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help identify the man and in particular, we’re appealing to anyone who’d been at Newby Hall gardens on the day and may have information which could assist our investigation.

“The man is described as being white, aged 40-50 years old, 6ft to 6ft 2′ tall, of a medium build with a slight beer belly and dark brown hair in the style of a short back and sides that had grown out.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Richard.Jackson@northyorkshire.police.uk You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1505 Jackson.

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220113065.”

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Man released after conspiracy to commit murder arrest in Bilton

A man who was arrested in connection with an incident in Bilton has been released with no further action taken.

Police were called to a property on Byland Road on Thursday, June 23, where a woman was found with serious injuries.

A man in his 40s was arrested following the incident. Clare Bailey, 44, was also arrested.

The man was initially arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and bailed pending investigation.

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However, North Yorkshire Police has confirmed over the weekend he has been released from bail and no further action is being taken against him.

Ms Bailey, 44, was charged with attempted murder.

She appeared before York Magistrates Court on June 27, but entered no plea.

Ms Bailey, who is from Dudley, will now appear before Leeds Crown Court on July 25.

Emergency services attend three car crash on Ripley Road

Emergency services were called to a crash on Knaresborough’s Ripley Road yesterday.

Police, fire crews and and an air ambulance attended the three car crash at 6.13pm.

Fire fighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were called to the incident.

An incident log from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said crews attended the three vehicle road traffic collision and extricated a female passenger at the scene.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Air Ambulance for further details on the crash.

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Missing Harrogate man found safe

Police have said that a missing Harrogate man has been found safe.

North Yorkshire Police issued a statement and picture of the missing man last night.

It said:

“We’re extremely concerned for his welfare, and asking anyone who sees him or knows where he is to get in touch straight away.

“Extensive searches are underway to locate him, including with the NPAS police helicopter.”

Police said later last night that the man had been found safe.

We have subsequently amended our article by removing his personal details.

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Woman charged with attempted murder in Harrogate

A woman in her 40s has been charged with attempted murder in Harrogate.

Clare Bailey was due to appear at York Magistrates Court today.

A man, also in his 40s, has been bailed after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

The two people were arrested on Friday after an incident on Byland Road in Bilton on Thursday.

A woman was taken to hospital with what police described as ‘substantial injuries’.

Forensic officers were called to the scene after the incident.

Today’s update by North Yorkshire Police said the man has been bailed while the investigation continues.

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