Calls for more police as anti-semitic graffiti remains in Knaresborough

Anti-semitic graffiti is still covering some of Knaresborough’s key monuments, amid calls for more police officers to patrol the streets.

The town’s 12th century castle and statues of Blind Jack and Mother Shipton on Market Place were defaced in an overnight attack on Saturday night.

Crude images and Nazi swastikas remain sprayed on the side of the castle and the bronze statues in the Market Place are still discoloured.

The castle graffiti is situated in full view of Knaresborough police station, which has cameras on top of the roof.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today:

“We have launched an investigation in to the graffiti from the Castlegate area of Knaresborough. All lines of enquiry are currently been pursued.

“North Yorkshire Police takes all reports of hate crime seriously. Anyone who is the victim of a hate crime is encouraged to report the incident to police via 101.”

Harrogate Borough Council said in a statement today it was aware of the vandalism and was looking into the best way for it to be removed but gave no timeframe.

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Councillor Andrew Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“It is incredibly disappointing that someone, or a group of individuals, have found it appropriate to deface the heritage of Knaresborough in this way and we will be doing what we can to identify those responsible.

“If any members of the public witnessed any of the damage being carried out, or if any businesses have their own CCTV in the area that has captured any relevant footage, I would encourage them to contact North Yorkshire Police as soon as possible.”

Steve Teggin, a local business owner and the chair of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said anti-social behaviour was becoming a serious concern for local businesses.

He said further action needed to be taken, including more police officers in the town:

“The chamber and traders are getting quite concerned. Ninety per cent of people visiting Knaresborough are great and contribute to the economy but there are some letting us down. There just isn’t enough police presence and people thing they can get away with stuff.

“We need more police on the streets.”

Police release teenager after knife incident in Harrogate

Police said today they are taking no further action against a teenager arrested following reports of a man brandishing a knife outside the Odeon in Harrogate.

Pub chef Chloe Horner told the Stray Ferret she saw a man holding a “huge” knife outside the cinema after she got home from work at about midnight on Saturday night.

She said the man walked off in the direction of Asda after another man, who walked by and was threatened, called the police.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said today:

“I can confirm a 19-year-old man was arrested in relation to this incident on Saturday night. The man has since been released from police custody and faces no further action.

“We have nothing further to add at this time.”

According to Ms Horner, armed officers attended the scene. She said:

“It’s crazy. You don’t expect to see that in Harrogate”.

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Fraudsters offering £200 to fix TVs following Bilsdale fire

Fraudsters are offering to retune residents’ TVs for £200 in the wake of the Bilsdale mast fire.

Since fire damaged the mast in August, thousands of residents across the Harrogate district have been without a TV signal. Some have also experienced intermittent service.

This has prompted some opportunistic scammers to knock on doors in North Yorkshire and offer to fix TVs for a fee.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“If anyone knocks on your door to offer this service, do not let them into your home and do not give them any money.

“If anyone approaches you at your home and you are concerned, do not let them in and call the police on 101 to report this.”

Arqiva, has said a temporary mast should be up by October 5, meaning local residents should finally see an improvement to their TV signal.

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Report of man wielding knife outside Harrogate Odeon

A woman has described seeing a man brandishing a “huge” knife outside the Odeon in Harrogate last night.

Pub chef Chloe Horner had just got home from work when her partner alerted her to a man with a blade several inches long outside the cinema at about midnight.

Ms Horner said she saw the incident clearly from her kitchen window and observed the man standing motionless holding the knife.

She said another man, who walked by and was threatened, called the police.

By the time the police arrived, the person with the knife had walked off in the direction of Asda, she added.

“It was scary. You don’t expect to see that outside your own window. I feel for anyone else who might have walked by him. The knife was huge.”

Ms Horner said police, including armed officers and officers with dogs, were at the scene for about an hour but she does not know if any arrests were made.

By the time they arrived the man, who she said was wearing a dirty brown hoodie and joggers, had walked off.

“It’s crazy. You don’t expect to see that in Harrogate”.

The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Police for details.

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Two new portable speed cameras to patrol Ripon

Ripon City Council has announced two speeding signs will be purchased for the city.

The initiative is in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council and will see two vehicle activated speed signs for the city.

The signs show the speed of the car as it approaches.

The council has identified a number of roads with cars often spotted going too fast. The roads are heavily used, often with children and families walking on pavements at peak hours.

These include:

The signs will move around these roads from next week.

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Inspector Alex Langley of North Yorkshire Police welcomed the initiative, commenting that the implementation of this new technology should remind the road users of Ripon about excess speed and hopefully educate and encourage them to slow down.

He said:

“North Yorkshire Police fully supports this campaign and we will continue to take positive action against those road users that continue to speed and commit driving offence.”

Charity donations set on fire behind Knaresborough shop

Stolen clothes that were left as donations to a charity shop have been set on fire behind a shop on Knaresborough high street.

The ashes from the fire were discovered at the back of The Clothing Store of Knaresborough on Saturday morning.

Shop owner Rebecca Lombardi later learned the clothing was taken from outside St Vincent’s charity shop, over the road on the high street.

It happened just weeks after Blind Jack’s pub, on Market Place, was damaged in an overnight fire.

Ms Lombardi posted about the incident on social media to warn other businesses and attempt to gather more information.

She said:

“It could have been really dangerous, it was close to the bins and if it had got out of control I would worry for the two flats upstairs.

“I was shocked initially but then I started thinking about Blind Jack’s a couple of weeks ago and lots of thoughts were rushing round my head.

“Hopefully it was just a one-off.”

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Ms Lombardi said police initially told her it was a civil matter because there wasn’t a witness but Knaresborough resident Philip Allott, who is North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said he had escalated the investigation within North Yorkshire Police.

Mrs Lombardi said the police subsequently requested CCTV footage of the entrance to the back area.

She said she felt better after putting details of the incident social media because she knows other businesses are now aware.

North Yorkshire Police has not responded to requests for further information.

Missing Ripon teen found following urgent appeal

Missing Ripon teenager Casie Ackerley has been found following a police appeal.

North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal after Casie, 17, was not seen at home for two weeks.

A police statement said it was thought she could be in the Leeds area and enquiries were being carried out there by West Yorkshire Police as well as in North Yorkshire.

However, North Yorkshire Police said this morning that the teenager had been found in Leeds.

It said in a tweet:

“Thanks to West Yorkshire Police and everyone who supported the appeal which has now been cancelled and should be removed from websites and social media.”

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Bus driver assaulted in Knaresborough

A bus driver was assaulted and had beer poured over her by two young women in Knaresborough on a late night service last night.

An eye witness told the Stray Ferret the driver was verbally abused and pushed over by a young woman in an “unprovoked attack”.

Another woman then allegedly poured a bottle of beer on the driver before leaving the bus, which had just left Knaresborough Bus Station at around 10pm, to get a taxi.

The witness, who did not wish to be named, said he was “shocked at what happened”, and that it highlighted the dangers facing frontline public sector workers.

He added police attended and took statements.

Harrogate Bus Company said today it was supporting the driver and cooperating with police over the alleged assault.

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Driver ‘shaken’

Steve Ottley, general manager at Harrogate Bus Company, said the driver was shaken but was “doing fine”.

He said:

“We can confirm there was an incident involving a colleague last night who was treated despicably by two customers. 

“Our driver is doing fine but was understandably shaken by what happened. 

“We are supporting our driver and doing all we can to assist the police in bring the assailants to justice. Such incidents are mercifully, extremely rare and we take the welfare of our team and customers extremely seriously.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police confirmed officers attended the incident, but added that no arrests had been made and an investigation was ongoing.

They added:

“Anyone with any information who has not yet spoken to the police, should call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information for incident number 12210198766.”

Police say wanted sex offender who is ‘danger to women’ could be in Harrogate

Police are searching for a man with links to Harrogate after he failed to appear in court.

Stephen Thrower was due in court for failing to comply with with the requirements of his sex offenders registration.

A warrant was issued for his arrest after he didn’t turn up.

West Yorkshire Police said in a tweet today the 53-year-old was as a danger to women and should not be approached.

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He has a number of tattoos, including a swallow, eagle, tiger and dagger on his right arm.

Thrower has links to Harrogate, York and Bradford and police believe he could be employed as a fairground worker.

Police urge anyone who sees him to call 999.

Harrogate’s Ashville College reports battery thefts after travellers depart

Harrogate’s Ashville College has reported the theft of batteries from lighting towers to police after travellers left the school’s playing fields.

Caravans departed the fields on Yew Tree Lane yesterday after an altercation, believed to be between two travellers, on Saturday night.

It was the second time in a fortnight caravans had pitched up at Ashville, sparking safeguarding concerns about pupils returning to the fee-paying school this term.

A spokesman for Ashville College said today:

“The travellers who arrived on Saturday and set up an illegal camp on our sports pitches have finally left.

“However, since their departure, we have discovered that a number of batteries from two lighting towers have been stolen. In addition to cutting wires, the culprits have also damaged the lifting mechanisms, and we have reported this to the police.

“We would like to thank the local policing team for their support and their continued on-site presence was a great comfort to members of staff and returning boarding pupils.”

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North Yorkshire Police said in a statement this afternoon the travellers had moved on “following intervention by Harrogate’s neighbourhood policing team”.

The statement added officers have been “working with land owners including the council to ensure security is maintained at other potential sites around the district”.

Travellers also descended on Hay-a-Park rugby field in Knaresborough last month.

Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne said:

“Communication is key in resolving community matters such as this, which can cause tensions on all sides if they are not managed properly.

“By working closely with all concerned as well as the wider local community, we’ve been able to help deliver a relatively swift resolution and prevent any further disruption.”