Police appeal after spate of Harrogate burglaries

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a spate of house burglaries in the Harrogate area in recent days.

The incidents occurred on Beckwith Road, Grove Street, Hutton Gate, Chatsworth Place and St John’s Road from Tuesday to Friday.

Burglars entered the homes through insecure doors and took car keys, house keys, a wallet and a handbag, which were within easy reach,

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incidents, including details about youths who have reportedly been going door-to-door trying for any insecure premises.

“If you have seen any suspicious vehicles or persons please contact the police.”

Police have urged people to keep their houses secure at night.

Read more:

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Elizabeth Estensen . You can also email elizabethestensen@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 12200162246.

 

Police arrest man after incident in Harrogate Town centre

Police have arrested a man after an incident in Harrogate Town centre which left roads closed.

North Yorkshire Police were called to the incident on Strawberry Dale around 2.43pm after reports of a man making threats to other residents and that he was in possession of a knife.

Mayfield Grove was closed at the junction with Bower Road in order for police to deal with the incident.

Surrounding routes are reported to be busy as drivers try to find alternative routes.

A second man was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing police, though it was not part of the original incident.

A police statement this afternoon said:

“Police received a call at around 2.43pm that a man was making threats to other residents and that he had a knife in possession.

“A cordon was put in place around the property, including local road closures, to protect members of the public while officers dealt with the incident.

“It was brought to a conclusion at around 4.15pm when the man was arrested and taken into police custody. The road has now been reopened.

“A second man was also arrested on suspicion obstructing the police. Although not part of the original incident, he caused disruption inside the cordon while officers dealt with the incident. He is also in police custody at this time.”

Read more:

 

Large cannabis farm found in former Ripon nightclub

Police have launched an investigation after a large scale cannabis farm was discovered inside a former nightclub in Ripon.

Officers were called to the former Matrix nightclub on Kirkgage at 6.16pm last night (September 17) after two people were reportedly seen running away away after being disturbed during a routine building check.

Despite an extensive search, including the use of a police drone, the two people were not found, but a search of the building found a “large scale, sophisticated cannabis grow”.

Read more:

Now, North Yorkshire Police has issued an appeal for further information on suspicious activity in the area.

A police statement said:

“Police and partner agencies returned to the cordoned-off scene on Friday to carry out a full safety assessment before all the evidence could be gathered as part of the investigation.

“While this work is ongoing, officers are appealing for any information about recent suspicious activity or individuals in the Kirkgate area of Ripon.

“If you can help, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.

“If you would prefer to make an anonymous report, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or go to www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

“Please quote reference number 12200163654 when providing details about this appeal.”

Six workers rescued from Ripon takeaway

Six workers have been rescued from a takeaway in Ripon after residents raised concerns about their living and working conditions.

Representatives from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Harrogate Borough Council, the police, fire service and Immigration Enforcement, a division of the Home Office, swooped on the takeaway, which has not been named, on Wednesday last week.

The six people safeguarded during the visit have been placed in temporary accommodation.

Officers noted several possible indicators of labour abuse but could not find any signs of modern slavery offences, according to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority,

The council and the fire service will now investigate a number of housing and fire safety issues at the property.

Read more:

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority works in partnership with other agencies to investigate labour exploitation.

Contact Crimestoppers anonymously if you suspect someone is being exploited for labour on 0800 555111.

Heroin seized and three arrested in suspected Harrogate drug deal

Police arrested three men in Harrogate yesterday after plain clothed officers intercepted a suspected drug deal.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police made the arrests after they were on patrol in the Montpellier Hill area.

After stopping and searching three men, they recovered a large amount of suspected heroin and cash.

Three men from Harrogate, aged 37 and two aged 45, were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply. One 45-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property.

Read more:

The suspects have been released while under investigation.

Police also seized 30 wraps of suspected heroin, £600 cash and a number of mobile phones and scales in the region as part of the investigation.

Detective Constable Tom Barker, who works on the force’s Operation Expedite team, said: 

“We continue to focus our efforts on the disruption of county lines drugs gangs, focusing on safeguarding those most vulnerable in society and making life difficult for the criminals who choose to exploit them.

“Yesterday’s action is one example of the relentless work going on to target drugs and the misery it brings to our communities. We urge anyone with any information about drug dealing to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously. We will take action.”

Police have issued an appeal after a member of the public assisted police officers at the scene by pointing out discarded, suspected drugs.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and ask for Harrogate CID. Or pass information to the Force Control Room for incident number 12200161830.

Community groups to carry out speed checks in district villages

Community groups will be out in Hampsthwaite, Scotton and Tockwith tomorrow to check for speeding motorists.

The groups will be supported by North Yorkshire Police, using equipment to monitor speeds and pass information to officers.

The county-wide initiative could result in drivers being prosecuted based on the information supplied by the community groups. Jamie Smith, of North Yorkshire Police’s Traffic Bureau, said:

“Speeds of 60mph-plus through 30mph communities are unbelievably irresponsible, and clearly highlight that we need to continue doing everything we can to prevent them.

“If a child was to run into the road or a vehicle was to unexpectedly pull out of junction, the outcome would be unthinkable.

“Like us, residents are all too aware of these dangers and are fed up of motorists tearing through their communities and putting lives at risk.

“Community Speed Watch group do a very important job and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who gives up their time to support this valued work. We bring together police resources, tactics and teams along side these groups to pack a real punch against speeding and other dangerous road use.”

At the same time, officers from North Yorkshire Police will be on key routes through the county to check for unroadworthy vehicles. They will also be looking for other hazards, such as driving while using a mobile or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not wearing a seatbelt, tailgating, and uninsured vehicles.

Read more:

 

Appeal for information after cars damaged in Harrogate

Police are appealing got information after a number of cars were damaged along St John’s Road in Harrogate around 11.30pm on Tuesday.

Three youths – one girl and two boys – dressed in dark clothing are believed to have been involved.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

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

“In particular, we are appealing for any witnesses who saw the damage take place or for any CCTV or doorbell-camera footage which may have captured something relevant.”

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Jessica Deacy – 1568.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The reference number is 12200157107.

Read more:

 

Police appeal for help after man assaulted in Harrogate

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 58-year-old man was assaulted by another man in broad daylight on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate.

The man sustained head injuries and cuts to his face during the incident, which happened between 3.15pm and 3.30pm on Sunday.

The attack happened near the Sainsbury’s Local store and afterwards the offender headed towards Valley Gardens.

A police statement issued today said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and are particularly appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the assault, including a man and woman who assisted the victim following the attack.

“The offender is believed to be approximately 18-20 years old , 5ft 8in tall, white with a pale complexion, of slim build and wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up and jeans.”

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for 1751. You can also email stephanie.maslen@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 12200156170.

Read more:

 

Over 160 drug arrests in Harrogate district so far this year

A total of 166 drug arrests were made in the Harrogate district between January and July this year.  North Yorkshire police said it is committed to continue its drive to tackle the issues caused by county lines drugs.

The arrests include all drug offences, other than drug driving. Across the whole of North Yorkshire there were 808 arrests and the Harrogate district ranked the third highest area for arrests.

County lines is a serious issue for the police in Harrogate – which now has one of three dedicated teams in the county.

This form of organised crime sees drug dealers from more urban areas exploit vulnerable people, including children, and force them to deal drugs in smaller towns and cities.

Acting Superintendent Andrew Colbourne of Harrogate, said:

“The exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults, and the levels of violence associated with county lines makes it a foremost priority for North Yorkshire Police and its partners.

“Proactive policing also plays a big part in the number of drug arrests. We have dedicated teams across North Yorkshire Police – including Harrogate –  that target the supply of drugs and work alongside partners to protect vulnerable people on a daily basis. Information from members of the public is also vital.

North Yorkshire Police headquarters entrance

The Stray Ferret has previously reported on police raids in an attempt to combat drug crime. In March we reported on parent’s concerns about how easy it was for their children to get access to drugs.  

Superintendent Colbourne, added:

“Enforcement activity has not stopped as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – indeed, over the last few months, we have executed a number of warrants to tackle suspected drugs offences.”

Read more:

The police said the public can offer vital information that results in arrests. Any suspicions involving exploitation or drug dealing should be reported to the police or Crimestoppers.

Harrogate council leader fails to answer questions about Cllr Samantha Mearns

Harrogate Borough Council and its leader have remained tight-lipped about Cllr Samantha Mearns and a police investigation into missing Porsche cars worth more than a million pounds.

Cllr Mearns was company secretary and a person “of significant control” in Knaresborough based Gmund Cars Ltd until December 2018. The company, which was run by her husband Andrew, went into administration in July 2019. There has been a subsequent police investigation into allegations that the ownership of Porsches were transferred without the owners’ permission.

Cllr Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council, made Cllr Mearns the chair of the General Purposes Committee which oversees the conduct of councillors. She chaired her first meeting in June 2019.

The Stray Ferret asked Cllr Richard Cooper whether he has confidence in Cllr Mearns, when he was first made aware of the allegations and whether he has ever asked Cllr Mearns about her role at Gmund Cars Ltd.

Read more:

We gave him a full day to respond to our request and we also gave Harrogate Borough Council two days to respond to a similar line of questions. Cllr Mearns is a case worker for Andrew Jones MP. He has also refused to answer the Stray Ferret’s questions.

Anthony Place, one of the six alleged victims of Gmund Cars Ltd, lodged a complaint about Cllr Mearns to Harrogate Borough Council in June 2019.

The authority’s monitoring officer, Jennifer Norton, assessed the complaint and said it would not be something she could take further because the councillor was “not engaged in council business” so the rules of the code of conduct did not apply.

North Yorkshire Police is investigating the allegations and arrested a man in his fifties in July last year. He has not been charged and the force released him under investigation.