Arsonist sets fire to historic Knaresborough pub

An arsonist set fire to an historic Grade II listed Knaresborough pub where the owners live.

Blind Jack’s, on Market Place, was damaged in the blaze which was started at around 4am on Sunday morning.

Owners Christian and Alice Ogley were away at the time of the fire so nobody was injured.

The fire service managed to put out the blaze and police officers tracked down a suspect and arrested him.

However, it will take a highly-skilled craftsman to replace the badly damaged entrance as the windows and door is around 200-years-old. There is also smoke damage inside.

The pub is named after Knaresborough’s John Metcalf, the first professional road builder to emerge in the Industrial Revolution.

Mr Ogley told the Stray Ferret:

“Luckily a local had just gotten back from a stag do in Leeds. He had decided to cut through Market Place where he saw the fire.

“He banged on the door because he knew we lived there and then called 999. Without him it would have been much worse.”

Since news of the fire got out, Christian and Alice have been inundated with messages and offers of support. He added:

“That is the best thing to come out of this. We have had so many kind messages and treats from local people and businesses.

“We managed to open last night. So many people came to offer their support. All of this positivity has really outweighed the negativity.”

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While the pub will get a temporary replacement, the owners will need to get in experts to fix entrance which may force it to close for a few days in the near future.

A North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said:

“Crews were called to a report of a door of a building on fire. Crews extinguished this using a hose reel jet. This was believed to have been deliberate.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Police were called to Blind Jack’s pub in Knaresborough after reports that a man had set fire to the front door.

“Officers arrested a 44 year old man on suspicion of arson and he was later released under investigation.”

Appeal after rare motorbike stolen in Harrogate

Police are appealing for information after a motorbike was stolen in Harrogate and the attempted theft of another one.

The first was taken from an address on St Georges Road at around 2:30am before being abandoned.

North Yorkshire Police is looking for information on four men who are believed to have attended an address on South Park Road, Harrogate at 3:20am where a rare, Aprilia RS250 Mk2 was stolen.

The force said the motorbike has a distinctive bubbling to the surface of the fuel tank which should distinguish it from similar bikes.

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A police statement added:

“Officers are appealing to anyone in the area including residents with CCTV or doorbell video, and passing motorists with dashcam footage. to check their devices in case the suspects have been captured on camera.

“In particular, they are appealing to anyone who saw four  males acting suspiciously at this time.

Anyone with information or footage  that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Dean Barrett, collar number 1573.

“You can also email dean.Barrett@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210185790.”

Police investigate spate of violence and anti-social behaviour in Ripon

Police investigating a spate of anti-social behaviour offences in Ripon have called on the public to help them bring the perpetrators to justice.

North Yorkshire Police said a “small group of people” were causing issues in the city and that violence and anti-social behaviour “will not be tolerated”.

The plea comes after officers arrested a fifth man in connection with a knifepoint robbery outside the Ship Inn, Bondgate, in the city.

The force said today that it had stepped up patrols in the city after launching investigations into four separate incidents.

The offences include:

Officers have called on anyone with any information or CCTV footage from those areas to come forward to help their investigations.

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Inspector Alex Langley, North Yorkshire Police, said: 

“Violence and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Ripon and we are doing all we can to bring those responsible for the events over the past week to justice.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area but we also need your help. We would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV covering Bondgate, Southgate, Mawson Lane and surrounding areas – this could be from a traditional CCTV camera, a video doorbell or dash-cam footage.

“A number of arrests have been made already and I hope this goes someway to reassure the public.

“I would like to thank those who have provided information already and continue to urge people to report any acts of anti-social behaviour or other crimes to police.”

Detective superintendent Steve Thomas, said: 

“Following the success of local policing operations to reduce anti-social behaviour in Ripon over recent months these latest incidents are disappointing.

“We are determined that this small group of individuals are held to account for behaviour that harms the quality of life for everyone else. Local residents will see an increase in police presence over the coming days and we want to reassure you that we will do everything necessary to tackle this isolated problem.”

Police arrest fifth man in connection with Ripon knifepoint robbery

Police have arrested a fifth man after a teenager was threatened with a knife and robbed outside a pub in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement yesterday that the incident happened outside the Ship Inn on Bondgate at 6.45pm on Friday (August 13).

Police arrested four men after a teenage boy had personal possessions stolen, including a watch and an item of jewellery, after he was threatened at knifepoint. No injuries were reported.

Now, officers have said a fifth man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with the incident.

A police statement said yesterday:

“Police responded and launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in four males, aged 14 to 20, being arrested in connection with the incident.

“They have been released on bail pending further investigation.

“Officers made enquiries in the surrounding area but are urging people to come forward if they have information which they have not yet shared.

“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210180615.”

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Man arrested after car found with shredded tyres in Kirk Hammerton

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of drug and driving offences after a car was found with shredded tyres in Kirk Hammerton.

Officers found the Land Rover on the A59 in the village in the early hours of this morning.

A man in his 30s from Northumbria was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, drug driving, possession of a class-A drug, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

He was taken into custody and bailed pending further enquiries, including drug test results.

North Yorkshire Police added in a statement:

“Police are urging anyone who suspects someone of drink or drug driving to contact the force by calling 101 and selecting option 1, or phoning 999 if it’s happening immediately.”

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Four arrested after gang robs teenager at knifepoint in Ripon

Police have arrested four men after a teenager was robbed outside a pub in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened outside the Ship Inn, Bondgate, at 6.45pm on Friday.

A teenage boy had personal possessions stolen, including a watch and an item of jewellery, after he was threatened at knifepoint. No injuries were reported.

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A police statement said:

“Police responded and launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in four males, aged 14 to 20, being arrested in connection with the incident.

“They have been released on bail pending further investigation.

“Officers made enquiries in the surrounding area but are urging people to come forward if they have information which they have not yet shared.

“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210180615.”

Man arrested after Saturday night street brawl in Pateley Bridge

A man was arrested after a group of men started brawling on Pateley Bridge High Street on Saturday night.

Fighting broke out between the unknown number of men at about 7.30pm.

One person suffered head injuries that required treatment but his injuries are not believed to be serious.

A 22-year-old man was arrested but later released under investigation while enquiries continue.

North Yorkshire Police, which is appealing for information, said in a statement this afternoon:

“Several members of the public used smart phones to take images of what happened.

“We are keen to see images of the incident and are particularly interested in finding out how the incident started and what happened initially.”

If you have any information or images you can call the police on 101. Choose option 2 and dial 30820. Or you can email bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk.

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Have your say on police priorities for Harrogate district

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has today opened a three-month consultation seeking views on what the priorities should be for the police and fire services.

Mr Allott, who was elected commissioner in May, said the responses would inform his Police and Crime Plan, and Fire and Rescue Plan for 2021-2024.

Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, will go on a 16-stop tour of North Yorkshire and York to canvas views. Online surveys and focus groups will also feed into the survey.

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He said:

“These documents which we need to produce by law have long titles and complex requirements, but they are all about one thing – your safety, which is why I want to know your priorities to ensure they are your plans.

“Please get involved in this consultation and have your say. I promise it will be listened to.”

The Police and Crime Plan sets out the vision and priorities for North Yorkshire Police, community safety and victims’ rights, as well as the objectives and ambitions that the Chief Constable will be held to account against.

The Fire and Rescue Plan sets out the strategic vision, priorities and objectives for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for how it will better respond to the need of our communities.

Further details of the consultation and the draft plans are available at www.tellphilip.co.uk.

Swift action led to Harrogate shop thieves being caught this afternoon

Harrogate police were able to respond swiftly to a shop theft this afternoon after an officer walked into the shop soon after it happened.

The Harrogate police officer happened to be heading into the M&S BP garage in Pannal this afternoon for a coffee when the shop worker told him three men had just driven away with stolen food and drink.

Officers were able to quickly apprehend the three men in a van on Park House Green.

The three men were dealt with using the community resolution disposal procedure which is used for low-level crime such as minor theft and criminal damage.

A release by North Yorkshire Police explained the method:

“By encouraging suspects to face up to the impact of their behaviour and to take responsibility for making good any harm caused, a Community Resolution can reduce the likelihood of their reoffending. There must be an acceptance of responsibility on behalf of the suspect to undertake a Community Resolution response.”

The suspect’s van was also seized for being un-taxed.

The three men will now have to pay for the items stolen, which added up to around £30.

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Ferrari towed away in Harrogate in police supercar clampdown

Police ordered a Ferrari sports car to be towed away outside Harrogate Convention Centre over the weekend as part of a supercar crackdown.

Operation Chrome, which North Yorkshire Police launched this summer, targets speeding, illegally modified vehicles and vehicles that shouldn’t be on the road.

The Ferrari driver was reported on suspicion of driving without insurance and failing to display a front number plate.

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Operation Chrome launched this summer with a police pledge to keep up 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.

Superintendent Steve Thomas said:

“Residents and visitors should not have to fear for their safety or have their days blighted by this excessive noise.

“We are taking a zero tolerance approach to this dangerous behaviour.”