In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the persistent problems on the streets of Ripon.
Stories about violent and anti-social behaviour in Ripon have featured regularly in the news this year.
Among the most disturbing, was our report in August about a terrifying ordeal for a young boy, who was held up by a man and a youth at knifepoint and robbed of this trainers, mobile phone and jewellery.
The thugs, who threatened to ‘shank’ his leg with the knife if he didn’t do as told, were soon arrested by the police and brought to justice.
In February, a Ripon retailer came to the aid of a man who was being set upon by two vicious thugs in broad daylight.
The retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Stray Ferret the attack occurred when the victim remonstrated with youths who had thrown a snowball at him. He said:
“As I came out of the shop, the man was on the ground and one of the youths was kicking him in the head, while another was stamping on his face.
“I thought that they were going to kill him – I shouted at them and they ran off.”
Earlier that month, we reported on a three-hour spate of crime in Ripon on a Sunday evening that included a man carrying a machete, a robbery, thefts and gangs gathering.
The incidents, included a robbery in which a 23-year-old man suffered facial injuries after being attacked by two or three males, who stole his phone and watch.
Following the incidents, Inspector Alex Langley, head of neighbourhood policing for Ripon, tried to reassure people that the events were being taken seriously and that “we will be taking robust action against those responsible”.
Philip Allott, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner at the time, responded by saying he hoped an increased police presence in the city would send a message that “crime will not be tolerated”. He also urged more residents to “break silence” and report anything suspicious.
“Officers know who the perpetrators are, they have made arrests, they have got a grip on the situation, and I am confident of that.
“One of the problems we have in Ripon is sometimes a wall of silence by certain families and that makes it quite difficult to apprehend people.
“The police will still get those people. It just takes a bit longer.
But further violent and anti-social behaviour in August prompted police to step-up patrols and launch investigations into four separate incidents
At the time, detective superintendent Steve Thomas, of North Yorkshire Police, 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.”
This is just a snapshot of some of the incidents that police in Ripon have had to tackle in 2021. They have also run, in conjunction with Operation Spectre, a national campaign to engage with schoolchildren in the city about the dangers of knife crime and taking drugs.
Sergeant Heidi Lewis, of the schools liaison team, said officers were there to build relationships with the children and answer any questions. She said:
“Education at an early stage is crucial to steer children away from falling into a criminal lifestyle and becoming exploited.
“Some young people think it’s safe to carry a knife in case they need it for self-defence – but this could not be further from the truth. Any knife in the hands of anyone can cost lives.”
The city will be hoping to make headlines for more positive reasons in 2022.
Car ploughs into Masham Bridge and almost ends up in riverA Masham man was lucky to escape unscathed after he crashed his car into Masham Bridge and almost ended up in the River Ure.
North Yorkshire Police said it happened at around 7.30am on Wednesday morning and the driver was a local man in his early 30s.
A police spokesman said the man “was very lucky to escape without any injuries”.
The car was recovered at around 9.00am and damage to the bridge was reported to the county council highways department.
Photos of the aftermath were shared with the Stray Ferret by Masham resident Jason Drew.
It appears a tree was the only thing stopping the car from entering the river.
Police respond to gun reports near Dishforth to find long-lens camera
North Yorkshire Police sent armed police to a motorway bridge near Dishforth to discover that men reportedly carrying a gun were just taking pictures with a long-lens camera.
A driver called the police to tell them they had spotted one of three men on the A1(M) flyover take out what they described as a “long-barrelled gun” on Tuesday.
An operational support unit and firearns officers attended and sent up a drone, which took the above picture.
Officers soon discovered that the men were there with a camera to take picture of trucks and then left the men to their hobby.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
Thieves steal wrapped Christmas presents from Harrogate home“The three men did intend to shoot something but fortunately it was only photgraphs.
“Their hobby was truck-spotting and the ‘long-barrel gun’ was actually a long-lens camera which they used to take shots of passing wagons. After checking all was well, we left them to it.
“The member of the public was absolutely right to report their suspicions. Always better to be safe than sorry.”
Thieves have stolen wrapped presents from a Harrogate home just days before Christmas.
Police are appealing for witnesses following the burglary on East Parade, which took place yesterday between 2pm and 5.30pm when the residents were at work.
As well as the presents, several other high-value items were stolen and police believe they may have been carried away in a duvet cover, which was also missing.
A police statement added:
“We are appealing for information about any sightings of someone in the immediate vicinity carrying these items, items possibly concealed within a bedsheet or any relevant CCTV.”
Anyone with information on the incident should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Katie Jacobs. You can also email katie.jacobs@northyorkshire.police.uk
Two men have been charged with murder after a man was found dead at a flat in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate.
Police arrested the men, 36 and 38, on Monday night after receiving a report at around 11.30pm that a man had died there.
The two men are due to appear at York Magistrates Court.
A third man arrested in connection with the incident has been released with no further action.
DCI Jonathan Sygrove, of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said:
“I’d like to thank local residents for their patience and support while we carry out enquiries. I can reassure people that this was an isolated incident, and officers will remain in the area to provide ongoing reassurance and support to the community.”
Vandals wreck outdoor nativity scene near Boroughbridge
Villagers near Boroughbridge were left angry and upset after vandals wrecked a nativity scene in their parish churchyard.
The nativity was put in place at St John’s Church in Minskip last week in time for a carol service, held outside because of covid concerns.
A central part of it was the nativity scene, which three or four of the church council had put up themselves.
The first indication that something had happened came early this morning.
The scene this morning.
Churchwarden Robert Beaumont said:
“The lovely couple, Jason and Helen, who live next door to the church, heard a noise at about 5am.
“They’re not sure if that was the vandals destroying the nativity scene but when they looked out of their windows at about 7am, all the wise men, the crib, everything, was scattered all around the churchyard.
“To have it just destroyed in this wanton and mindless manner was heart-breaking. And we’ve all been thinking, why would anybody want to do that?”
The church has reported the incident to police.
Villagers have managed to salvage the scene and rebuild it,
Mr Beaumont said.
“Although the vandals kicked parts of the scene all over the church or they didn’t break them in two.
“So with a lot of love and care, three members of our church committee worked from about half past eight this morning and put the whole scene back together again.
“And so, as one of our church council members said, love will always triumph over hate and good over evil. And that’s one of the messages of Christmas, so that was rather appropriate.
“But that doesn’t quite extinguish my anger as churchwarden that people should find it appropriate to desecrate our churchyard.”
It caps a difficult period for St John’s. A drunken motorist crashed into the church wall about six weeks ago. Insurance covered it but the church had to pay a £500 excess.
Covid-permitting, the village will hold an outdoor Christmas Day service with the nativity scene firmly in the foreground.
Mayfield Grove residents react to ‘absolutely shocking’ suspected murder
People who live and work on Mayfield Grove have reacted with shock after three men were arrested on suspicion of murdering a man in a flat on the street.
North Yorkshire Police received a report that a man had died in a flat above Mykonos Bar & Grill at about 11.30pm last night. The flat and restaurant are not connected.
Officers went to the scene and found the body of a man.
A police statement said three men, two in their 30s and one in his 20s, were arrested at the flat on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at this time.
One resident of Mayfield Grove, who asked not to be named, said the suspected murder was “absolutely shocking”.
Meanwhile, Natalia Fischer, from Bocian Polish Shop, which is next door to where the incident took place, said there were around seven police cars and an ambulance on the street when she came into work this morning.
She said:
“It’s not good.
“But I never have a problem with customers. People are friendly.”
Harrogate man Daniel Ainsley was jailed in October for murdering Mark Wolsey, also on Mayfield Grove, earlier this year.
Police were at the scene all morning
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police received a report that a man had died in a flat at about 11.30pm last night.
They went to the scene and found the body of a man.
A police statement said three men, two in their 30s and one in his 20s, were arrested at the flat on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at this time.
Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne, county commander, said:
“I recognise that local residents will be extremely concerned by what has happened, but they can be reassured that an extensive investigation is underway.
“Officers will be conducting enquiries in the area, and the neighbourhood policing team are carrying out extra patrols to provide further reassurance.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for the major investigation team.
Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12210264785 when passing information.
Harrogate man Daniel Ainsley, 24, was jailed in October for murdering Mark Wolsey, 48, on Mayfield Grove.
Police are appealing for information after a 17-year-old boy had his trainers stolen in a “violent robbery” in Harrogate.
The incident happened at Bilton Grange Close, near to the junction with Skipton Road, at about 11pm on Saturday, December 11.
According to North Yorkshire Police, two males thought to be aged between 16 and 18 years of age chased the victim from the Majestic Wine shop on Skipton Road to Bilton Grange Close.
They then assaulted and threatened him and stole his footwear – a distinctive pair of black and orange Nike Air Max 90, which are sold for about £125.
Police want help identifying the two suspects, who are described as slim, wearing face coverings and dressed all in black.
A police statement said:
“They were seen in the vicinity of the Texaco Petrol station on Skipton Road shortly before the robbery took place.
“One of them was riding a black mountain bike and the other on foot.
“Officers are particularly keen to identify a man who was in the area at the time of the assault, who was wearing a distinctive black EA7 baseball cap as they believe he may be able to assist their enquiries.
Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1484 Dave Foyston . You can also email david.foyston@northyorkshire.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 12210260693.
Two boys in their late teens have been arrested in connection with the incident. Both have been released on conditional bail.
Four Harrogate district parish councils join campaign for 20mph limitA prominent environmental campaigner from Harrogate is urging more parish councils to support an initiative to reduce some speeds limits from 30mph to 20mph.
Malcolm Margolis has been lobbying parish councils since September to join the 20’s Plenty for Us movement.
The movement consists of 500 local groups campaigning for 20mph to be normal on residential streets and in town and village centres
So far, four parish councils in the Harrogate district have signed up for the initiative. They include Bishop Thornton, Shaw Mills and Warsill, Tockwith with Wilstrop, Goldborough and Flaxby and Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw which have pledged support to 20’s Plenty.
Malcolm Margolis
Mr Margolis said he does not believe every 30 mph limit should be reduced to 20mph but that the move would be welcome on roads where people live, work and go to school. He told the Stray Ferret:
“I am definitely hoping to get more parish councils signed up. There are a few councils which will be debating the matter at their next meetings.
“We are confident there is huge, overwhelming support across North Yorkshire. Not only would it save lives but it would also reduce air pollution.
“I do not understand the reasons North Yorkshire County Council has given as to why it could not do this. It would not cost very much and would be policed as much as 30mph roads.
“Unfortunately all that is stopping the movement is a few people, mainly politicians.”
However, North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, said it has consulted with North Yorkshire Police and other interested parties and does not believe speed reductions would be appropriate.
Karl Battersby, corporate director of business and environmental services, said:
“We are committed to making the network as safe and accessible as possible for all road users and will continue to talk to communities to consider options to allay road safety concerns.
“A revised 20mph speed limit policy is currently going through its approval process following a review by a task group set up by the Transport, Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
“This review, which reported its conclusions this year, heard from traffic engineers, road safety and public health officers, North Yorkshire Police and the 20’s Plenty campaign group.
“The task group resolved that it is not appropriate to apply a countywide default 20mph speed limit.”
Mr Battersby added that speed is not a major cause of collisions in North Yorkshire and that it would require significant investment, as well as future maintenance costs.