Police issue warning after rise in ‘romance fraud’

Police are warning residents in North Yorkshire to be on their guard against ‘romance fraud’, which saw victims in the county lose almost half a million pounds in the last year.

North Yorkshire Police said it received almost 70 reports of romance fraud in the year to August 2020, with victims losing more than £426,000 in total.

It is part of a national rise in the crime, with Action Fraud saying there had been a 26% increase in reports of romance fraud in the last 12 months.

North Yorkshire Police financial abuse safeguarding officer Andy Fox said:

“Romance fraud is where someone creates a fake online profile and after gaining the trust of an individual, uses their relationship to request sums of money. Fake profiles will often feature photos taken from other people online and may pose as a US army officer or businessman based overseas.

“Monetary sums will be requested to pay for urgent medical care or even plane tickets to visit the UK, usually alongside a story designed to elicit sympathy and on the promise of it being repaid.”

Read more:

Although cases often begin on dating websites, there have also been instances where fraudsters have used gambling sites to make contact with people who could become victims.

Andy said:

“The individuals who undertake romance fraud are highly skilled in both earning trust and cultivating what feels like a loving relationship so the impact on victims can be huge – financially and emotionally. We’re urging anyone using online dating to be vigilant to the signs and also to look out for friends and family, helping safeguard them from becoming victims.

“There can be a perception that the people who fall victim to romance fraudsters are of a certain age or gender but the reports we receive show that literally anyone can be taken in by these calculating criminals. We’ve seen both men and women targeted with some as young as teenagers right up to those in their eighties.”

Police warned anyone who meets someone online to be careful before trusting them. In particular, they said fraudsters might:

Anyone who thinks they may have become a victim to romance fraud should immediately stop all contact with the person and report them to North Yorkshire Police or Action Fraud. Andy added:

“We know that romance fraud is underreported for a number of reasons but one can be that victims feel embarrassed they have been taken in by these fraudsters. There is absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed and the police are here to support you.

“Not only can we give you advice and guidance to ensure you don’t become a victim again. All of these reports help us to build a profile of how romance fraud is undertaken so we can try to stop it happening to others in future.”

 

North Yorkshire named as birds of prey blackspot

North Yorkshire has retained the dubious honour of being the UK’s worst blackspot for killing birds of prey – a grim title it has retained for a decade.

Birdcrime 2019, a report by the RSPB, said the county had the highest number of raptor persecution incidents in the UK. It was responsible for 15 of the 85 confirmed cases.

Many of the case studies the RSPB cited were recorded in Nidderdale.

In 2019, a hen harrier was found shot dead on a grouse moor in Nidderdale. The bird, named River, had a tracking device and had two pieces of shot lodged in its body.

In the same year a red kite was also found poisoned just outside of Pateley Bridge.

The killings have continued into 2020, with the shooting of a buzzard, the poisoning of a red kite and a dog all near the town.

Read more:

The report highlights how many birds of prey in the UK are shot, trapped or poisoned, despite it being a criminal offence.

The charity said there had been a spike in incidents since lockdown and called for stronger regulation, including a review of grouse shooting.

North Yorkshire Police has issued several appeals for information about the killings of birds of prey but have found it difficult to prosecute.

 

Harcourt Drive death ‘not suspicious’, say police

North Yorkshire Police has said it is not treating the death of a man on Harcourt Drive in Harrogate last month as suspicious.

Multiple police cars and ambulances attended the incident at around 7.15pm on Sunday, August 23.

One man was certified dead at the scene and another taken to hospital.

Police subsequently cautioned a 42-year-old man for distributing “distressing images” of the incident on social media.

Read more:

Now officers have confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner’s office.

Detective inspector Steve Menzies, senior investigating officer at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“The overarching circumstances will be for HM Coroner to rule upon but this is a very sad incident where the deceased has inflicted injuries on himself and caused injury to his relative who tried to help him.

“Despite valiant attempts by neighbours, police and ambulance staff to administer first aid in a traumatic situation, his injury proved to be fatal.

“This was an isolated and tragic incident and North Yorkshire Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with it. Thankfully the injured man is making a good recovery. The full circumstances will be heard at the inquest.

“Subsequently a Harrogate man was issued with a police caution for attending the area and posting live images of the incident on social media as first aiders were desperately trying to save the man’s life. Such actions show no compassion or thought for those involved, are distressing for extended friends and family and will not be tolerated.”

No face mask fines, but police pledge to tackle Covid breaches

North Yorkshire Police warned today it will take action against people who break new coronavirus restrictions – even though so far it hasn’t issued any fines for breaches of rules on face masks and gatherings.

Superintendent Mike Walker, gold commander for NYP’s response to Covid, told a press briefing that demand for policing had returned to pre-lockdown levels.

He told the briefing by North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of agencies that tackles emergencies, officers would use enforcement as a last resort.

Superintendent Mike Walker said the force hasn’t issued any fines for breaches of rules on face masks and gatherings.

But it has issued 1,151 coronavirus penalties, including five for people failing to self-isolate. The vast majority were for non-essential journeys at the start of lockdown.

Under coronavirus legislation, police have the power to issue £60 fixed penalty notices to anyone breaching restrictions. The sum is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

Read more:

Superintendent Walker said officers would expect the public to understand the latest restrictions, including the rule of six.

He said:

“It is important to note that this [new restrictions] does place additional pressure on us when our demand has returned to pre-Covid levels.

“The police will enforce as a last resort. But we expect the public to understand what the restrictions are and to abide by those restrictions.

“Those who choose not to abide by the restrictions should expect police action.”

It comes as the number of coronavirus infections in the Harrogate district has increased in recent weeks in line with the national trend.

The number of cases hit a three-week high yesterday, with 19 positive cases in 24 hours.

North Yorkshire County Council has asked care homes to restrict visits for the month of October in an effort to protect residents.

 

Police charge Harrogate woman, 72, after major cannabis find

Police have charged a 72-year-old Harrogate woman with producing cannabis after a raid in the town at the weekend.

North Yorkshire Police attended reports of a disturbance on Saturday evening and found “cannabis littering the entire street” on Alexandra Road.

The officers investigated a house on the road and discovered a “large quantity” of cannabis plants inside.

Not long after the police also discovered two other cannabis grows on Somerset Road and on Woodlands Road.

1/3 *Last Night*
Attended a street in #Harrogate following the report of some vehicle disorder. At scene we have found a large quantity of cannabis littering the entire street. A nearby property was identified as insecure and evidence of a substantial Cannabis grow found.. pic.twitter.com/AVmpFtgw83

— Just Dave! (@PC_769) September 27, 2020

Six other suspects travelling in two vehicles left the scene of the original incident on Alexandra Road but Hertfordshire Police intercepted and arrested them.

The six people were charged with possession of class B drugs with intent to supply. They were sent to court, which remanded them in custody.

A man in his 20s was also arrested on Monday and has since been released on bail, taking the total number of arrests up to eight.

The 72-year-old woman was charged with three counts of cannabis production and awaits a trial at crown court on bail.

Police issue 1,151 coronavirus penalties in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police has so far issued 1,151 fixed penalty notices to people who have breached coronavirus restrictions.

The figure was revealed at North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s public accountability meeting yesterday.

The meeting, which was broadcast on YouTube, also revealed the county’s police force has so far only issued five fixed penalty notices to people who refused to self-isolate.

NYP chief constable Lisa Winward said the “vast majority” of fines were issued during the start of lockdown when police found people taking non-essential journeys, which was a breach of restrictions at the time.

NYP chief constable Lisa Winward.

Under coronavirus legislation, the police have the power to issue £60 fixed penalty notices to anyone breaching restrictions. The sum is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

Read more:

The police have adopted a ‘four Es’ approach to coronavirus; engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforcement.

Chief constable Winward said:

“We adopt and engage with the community to explain to them what the guidance is, we then encourage people to follow that guidance or legislation.

“It’s only as an absolutely last resort we would move to an enforcement outcome for that person because they absolutely refuse to take that advice and are therefore putting other members of the public at risk of spreading the infection.”

Police say they will act to disperse any post-curfew parties in Harrogate

The measure was designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus but some fear that the 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants will have the opposite effect.

Shocking scenes from around the country of people partying on the streets minutes after 10pm.

While there were no street parties in the Harrogate district a viral video captured by Joshua Murphy in York uncovered how some responded to the new rule.

In the video hundreds of people gathered, danced and sang before a police van turned up to try and disperse the crowds.

https://www.facebook.com/JoshwaaaaaDJ/videos/10158693489882480

Read more:

North Yorkshire Police released a statement in response to the viral video from York to say they did not make any arrests but dispersed people in under 30 minutes.

The force has said it will support hospitality businesses to ensure crowds do not gather outside premises and to ensure that customers observe the rule of six.

Superintendent Mike Walker, gold commander for North Yorkshire Police’s response to Covid-19, said:

“It’s very clear that we are at a turning point now, where everyone’s personal choices will have a significant effect upon the rate at which this virus spreads over the coming weeks. Through engagement and encouragement, we will continue to support and assist those who are taking the necessary steps to suppress the spread.”

Rob Bowles, chair of North Yorkshire Police Federation, told the Stray Ferret:

“The federation supports North Yorkshire Police’s response to the street parties over the weekend. In order to prevent something like this happening again I think the government needs to educate the public not just on what the restrictions are but also why the restrictions have come into place.”

Arrests after heroin and crack cocaine seized in Harrogate

A 20-year-old man and 16-year-old boy were arrested in Harrogate on Saturday after being found carrying large quantities of class A drugs.

North Yorkshire Police said the pair were seen acting suspiciously in the Library Gardens area of town.

Officers from the force’s Operation Expedite team, which tackles drug crime, stopped the males.

A large quantity of suspected heroin and crack cocaine was seized and the pair were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

The 20-year-old was later released on bail and the 16-year-old released while under investigation. The police said enquiries are continuing.

This arrest was part of North Yorkshire Police’s attempts to disrupt county lines drug dealing.

The drugs found on the pair were suspected class A drugs.

Read more:

County lines dealing is when dealers travel from outside the county to bring drugs into its towns. Vulnerable and young people are often forced to sell the drugs.

To report information of drug dealing in the area, call North Yorkshire Police on 101. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or contact them online here.

Four arrested after stolen car driven at speed in Ripon

Police are appealing for witnesses after a car was stolen and driven at speed around Ripon.

The silver Ford Galaxy, registration MK11 LHD, was taken from Kirkby Road at around 10.25am on Tuesday morning.

It was seen being driven at speed out of Kirkby Drive, spun around in the middle of the road, and making off in the direction of the city centre.

Four men and teenagers, aged between 13 and 20, have been arrested and released under investigation while enquiries continue. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

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

“In particular, they would like to hear from anyone who saw a silver Ford Galaxy being driven at speed and erratically in the Ripon area between 10.25am and 11am that day. They would also like to hear from anyone who saw a group of young people running away from the Thirlway Drive and College Road area towards the town centre.”

Read more:

Anyone with information, or CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell camera footage, should email deborag.utley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Deborah Utley.

Alternatively, to report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200166679.

Fifteen arrests in North Yorkshire county lines crackdown

North Yorkshire Police has arrested 15 people and visited 64 vulnerable people during a week-long crackdown on county lines drug dealing.

As part of an effort led by the National Crime Agency and Regional Organised Crime Units, 14 men and one 17-year-old boy were arrested in the county.

The arrests included three men who were intercepted by plain clothed officers on Montpellier Hill in Harrogate. Officers also seized large amounts of heroin and cash when searching the suspects.

One man is also awaiting a crown court trial after being charged with supplying heroin and possessing criminal property in Harrogate.

Officers also made arrests in Keighley and Skipton during the crackdown.

Read more:

The 15 suspects were arrested on suspicion of various offences ranging from supplying heroin to possessing cash obtained through criminality.

Officers also helped to support vulnerable people, including those who are forced to travel from town to town selling drugs or who were victims of what is known as “cuckooing”. This is where vulnerable people, often drug users or those with mental or physical disabilities, are forced into allowing drug dealers to stay in their homes which are then used as a base to store and sell drugs.

Police also worked with British Transport Police to target people using the rail network to bring drugs into North Yorkshire from towns outside of the county and to raise awareness among passengers of exploitation and signs to look out for.

Chief Inspector Emma Aldred of North Yorkshire Police said: 

“County lines continues to be a key priority for North Yorkshire Police. This past week of action throws a spotlight on what is going on throughout the year to disrupt drug dealing and safeguard vulnerable people.

“The patrols and visits also allow us to gather valuable information that is used to build up a picture of what is happening in the area and forms part of a bigger picture that goes on to inform the action we take in the future.

“We urge people to continue to report any concerns they have about drug dealing or vulnerable people in their neighbourhood. We will take action.”