Police have issued a warning after an increase in burglaries in the Harrogate district.

Officers said there had been an rise in burglaries in the Pannal, Rossett and the Stray areas.

The force said people should ensure their windows, doors and cars were locked and to report any suspicious activity to police.

A warning has also been issued to residents in the Duchy Road area after thieves stole property from cars. Police said vehicles had been left “insecure” and urged people not to leave items on display.

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A post on North Yorkshire Police’s Facebook said:

“Last night a number of insecure vehicles were entered in the Duchy Road area of Harrogate and property was stolen. 

“This is reminder to motorists to ensure that your cars/vans are locked, even if parked on your driveway and ensure that no items of value are left on display.”

Police added:

“There has been an increase of burglaries in Pannal, Rossett and the Stray areas of Harrogate.

“Please ensure that you lock your doors, windows and cars. If you witness any suspicious activity, please contact the police immediately.”

Police will be patrolling the Harrogate district’s main roads in a HGV cab as part of a new campaign to catch drivers using mobile phones.

North Yorkshire Police said today it had borrowed the cab to give them a better view to detect mobile phone use and other dangerous behaviour.

The campaign, named Operation Tramline, follows a similar initiative last year that caught a man who took both hands off the wheel to use his phone and a lorry driver who rolled a cigarette.

Highways England, which runs Operation Tramline nationally and owns three unmarked cabs, is loaning the vehicle.

Traffic Constable Mark Patterson, of North Yorkshire Police’s roads policing group, said he had seen people lose their lives because motorists got distracted. He added:

“All drivers on our roads know using a mobile phone while driving is wrong. But nobody thinks they’ll be the driver that causes one of those incidents.

“Catching those offences as they happen, then using enforcement and education is one way we can make our roads safer for everyone.

“Using Highways England’s HGV cab during Op Tramline is an excellent way to do that, as it gives us an unparalleled vantage point.”

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Several other roads policing units also take part in the operation.

If officers in the lorry see an offence taking place, it is recorded by the passenger. Marked units then pull the vehicle over and the driver is dealt with immediately.

The HGV cab loaned to police.

Last year North Yorkshire Police also discovered:

• A tractor driver, who shouldn’t even have been on the motorway, driving whilst using a mobile phone who still had alcohol in his system from drinking the previous night.
• A disqualified driver, driving an overweight van and trailer and using his phone at the same time.
• Drivers of various vehicles seen reading/checking paperwork whilst driving on the motorway.
• Various drivers seen talking on their phones, some completely oblivious to the fact that they were being recorded.

The drivers received fixed penalty notices, which typically include a fine and points on their licence.

Locals are bracing themselves for an influx of visitors in Nidderdale as a weekend of sunny weather is forecast.

There have already been reports of large numbers of walkers, cyclists and bikers in Pateley Bridge and surrounding villages today.

Now, with the easing of lockdown restrictions in sight, fears have been raised that even more people will breach lockdown rules and descend on local communities this weekend.

Cllr Mike Holt, Mayor of Pateley Bridge, said:

“I am aware of [the number of visitors in the area today] and I am concerned about it. I have asked people to stay away if at all possible, because we aren’t out of the woods yet.”

Cllr Holt said Pateley Bridge Town Council had spoken to local police, but they had limited powers to enforce government guidance. A request for additional signage, similar to that put up along Nidderdale Greenway, had also been unsuccessful.

Even in his home village of Glasshouses, Cllr Holt said there had been a rise in the number of people visiting. He said the numbers across the area could rise further over the first weekend since the Prime Minister outlined cautious plans for easing restrictions.

Cllr Hold added:

“Why can’t we wait just a few more weeks? It’s a bit frustrating.

“Speaking personally, I’ve done all I felt I could and people are just going to have to do what feels right for their own conscience.”

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The area’s busiest walking areas, including Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross reservoirs, are also preparing for a busy weekend. A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said:

“Getting out in the open and enjoying some exercise is really important for everyone at the moment. We know that our reservoirs have provided a great recreational space for lots of people during lockdown and with warmer weather on the way, our sites may start to get even busier.

“We’d ask that, as always, any visitors to our sites respect covid guidelines and social distancing wherever possible. Our carparks can get very busy during popular periods, so please make sure you park in a dedicated spot, as parking elsewhere may cause obstruction for local residents, the emergency services and our reservoir engineers.”

North Yorkshire Police said it continues to issue fixed penalty notices to people found to be outside without good reason, and having travelled away from their local area.

Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, deputy lead for North Yorkshire Police’s covid-19 response, said:

“It’s really important that we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves and through irresponsible actions, jeopardise the progress we have made and need to keep making, to enable us all to move forward.

“Until the Government indicates that it is safe to move to the next stage of the road map on March 29, the current lockdown rules and regulations will stay in place and North Yorkshire Police will continue to police them. We will take the necessary enforcement action required to protect the green shoots of recovery we are starting to see and to protect all our chances of getting out of lockdown.

“So I would ask the public to keep going. We are on the right path and we are doing the right things, but we must remain vigilant to the threat of the virus. Covid-19 has not gone away, please carry on sticking to the rules, so we can continue to move towards better times ahead.”

North Yorkshire Police has published images of two men they would like to speak to regarding the theft of 30 bottles of alcohol and some packets of crisps in two Ripon stores.

According to police, the men entered a local convenience store together on Elm Road. One man distracted staff at the till while the other stole eight bottles of gin and put them in a shopping bag.

Neither man made any attempt to pay before leaving.

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Shortly after on the same afternoon, at about 4.30pm, the same men went to a supermarket on Marshall Way.

Again, one man distracted staff while the other stuffed a pram full with 22 bottles of alcohol and some packets of crisps.

Both thefts happened on January 13.

Police have not named the stores but the locations suggest the incidents occurred in Costcutter and Booths.

North Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images in connection with its investigation and asked anyone who recognises the men pictured to get in touch.

Quote reference numbers 12210019882 and 12210035275 if you pass on information.

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

A thief stole jewellery from a house in Marton-le-Moor yesterday while the owners were in the garden.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about the incident, which occurred between 1pm and 1.30pm yesterday.

According to police, a suspect entered through an open garage into a door leading into the house. Marton-le-Moor is located between Ripon and Boroughbridge.

They took a black jewellery box, about four to six inches in size, from the bedroom drawer with jewellery inside. A police statement said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Elizabeth Estensen or email elizabeth.estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

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

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210065212.

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Police are preparing for an influx of visitors to North Yorkshire when lockdown restrictions are relaxed, says the county’s police commissioner.

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said the force was already having discussions about policing when the rules change from March 8.

Ms Mulligan told North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel yesterday:

“We have had quite a lot of discussions around all of this, in particular lockdown fatigue.

“The combination of lockdown fatigue, the relaxation of the rules and the warming of the weather means that we could face a considerable influx of visitors over the coming weeks.

“That is going to be something that police are going to be thinking very carefully about because they think it will test the will of the public to maintain the current restrictions.”

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Ms Mulligan added that visitors to the county already made up a large proportion of fines handed out by officers.

Of 830 fixed penalty notices issued by North Yorkshire Police to February 14 for being outside without good reason, 83% were to visitors.

Ms Mulligan told the panel the vast majority of visitors to the county were from West Yorkshire and Cleveland.

Last week, police fined an unnamed person for driving 200 miles from Glasgow to Harrogate to meet a friend in a motorhome.

Restrictions ease on March 29 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday set out dates for easing restrictions, which include allowing two households to mix outside and in gardens from March 29.

Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, of North Yorkshire Police, said today that last week’s school half-term holidays had been one of the busiest weeks for visitors to the county during lockdown.

She told a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum media briefing:

“It is really important that we do not get too far ahead of ourselves. Half-term was one of our busiest weeks we have had with visitors.

“Since February 15 we have issued 192 fixed penalty notices. Thirty-four of those were handed out in Harrogate.

“We do have a small minority that do not want to stick to the rules.”

A man has been jailed for more than five years for dealing drugs on the streets of Harrogate.

Andrew Paul Christian Brown, 46, was arrested in the Montpellier Hill area of the town on 17 September last year by officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team.

He was charged with supplying heroin on dates in 2019 and 2020, as well as possessing criminal property – namely more than £700 found in his underwear following a search by officers.

Brown, whose address was listed as HMP Hull, pleaded guilty and at York Crown Court on Friday was jailed for five years and seven months.

In addition, the court ordered that £716 be confiscated from him, and he must also pay a victim surcharge.

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DC Tom Barker, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Brown’s conviction and prison sentence should send a very clear message to anyone who is involved in county lines drug dealing in our area: North Yorkshire Police will target you and make it extremely difficult for you carry out your criminal activity.

“Harrogate is one of the safest places in the country, and officers here are working hard to keep it that way.”

North Yorkshire Police’s Expedite team specialises in county lines drugs offences.

Anyone with information about drug dealing in their area can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101. If you prefer not to speak to the police and remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Police have put up posters at Harrogate district beauty spots telling people they could be fined if they don’t have a reasonable excuse for being there.

A new batch of North Yorkshire Police posters appeared this week during school half-term at various locations, including the one pictured on Nidderdale Greenway in Ripley.

The posters say covid patrols are taking place in the area and officers will engage with people to ensure they are complying with the rules. They add:

“However, you could get a fixed penalty notice if you are away from home without a reasonable excuse, or are deliberately flouting the rules.”

Nidderdale Greenway, along with other beauty spots, is popular with dog walkers and people exercising. Many people drive there with their dogs.

There has been widespread confusion about how far people can travel to exercise during lockdown.

A Harrogate Borough Council newsletter last month warned people they “run the risk of a fine” if they drove to into the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which includes Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs.

But some people commented that the law does not state how far you can travel to exercise.

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A North Yorkshire Police spokesman told the Stray Ferret the posters had been placed in popular walking sports as part of the effort to limit the spread of the virus. He added:

“Residents in the district can drive to such locations to take exercise, which is an exemption under the health protection regulations.

“The posters and the patrols are there to protect local people from those who travel considerable distances from outside their own area.”

North Yorkshire Police has said a ‘crackdown’ on crime and antisocial behaviour in Ripon is already paying off.

Ripon has been blighted by crime for months, with five incidents in one three-hour spree earlier in February, including a robbery, thefts and reports of a man carrying a machete.

Since last week, North Yorkshire Police has begun to increase its presence in the city following complaints from residents about the number of officers on the streets.

Inspector Alex Langley, from North Yorkshire Police, said it had already achieved a “significant reduction” in incidents. He said:

“We also saw a reduction in the number of young people out on the streets across the weekend and would like to thank those parents and guardians who continue to support their young people and reinforce that stay home, stay safe message.

“We are actively patrolling. The dedicated operation has seen an increased police presence in and around the city, some more visible than others, and extra teams drafted in to help deter offenders, prevent crime and we continue to enforce where necessary.”

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Cllr Andrew Williams from Ripon City Council told the Stray Ferret the increased police presence was working.

He said:

“I will credit the police, as their profile is more visible. But Rome wasn’t built in a day and it will take a while to get on top of it.”

Earlier this week, a parents group called on the police to ensure the changes are permanent:

“While we welcome this, we want to ensure that it is not simply a cosmetic exercise.

“We need a long-term solution, not a short-term fix.”