Police investigate suspected dog poisonings at Harrogate reservoir

North Yorkshire Police is investigating suspected dog poisonings at Lindley Wood Reservoir near Harrogate.

Police are appealing for information following the death of two dogs at the site. The animals died after eating something that is believed to be toxic on a walk at the reservoir between March 31 and April 15.

The Stray Ferret reported on Friday that Yorkshire Water, which owns the reservoir, had urged dog walkers to remain vigilant.

Police are carrying out enquiries and said in a statement released today:

“We were made aware of what happened at around 4pm on Tuesday, April 16.

“If you have any information that can help us with our investigation, please get in touch. We would also like to hear from any other dog owners who believe their dog may have been affected in similar circumstances after visiting the location in recent weeks.”

Last week, dog owners took to social media to report the suspected poisoning. A five-year-old Cockerpoo and a puppy died after being walked at the site.

Lindley Wood, along with nearby Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs is owned by Yorkshire Water.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson urged dog owners to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at its reservoirs.

They said:

“We are saddened to hear of these incidents, which we were made aware of via social media. Our colleagues have not found anything suspicious at the reservoir, but we would encourage the dog owners to reach out to our customer service team and share specific details of where they were walking at the time so we can establish if this was on land owned by Yorkshire Water, and if so, support with any required investigation.

“In the meantime, we would continue to urge walkers and owners to remain vigilant and keep their dogs on a lead when walking around our reservoirs, for their safety, and the safety of surrounding wildlife.”

To provide information to the police email pierre.olesqui@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference number 12240069458.
To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

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Dog owners urged to be ‘vigilant’ amid reported ‘poisoning’ at reservoir near Harrogate

Yorkshire Water has urged dog owners to be “vigilant” after reports of multiple dogs being poisoned at a reservoir near Harrogate.

Owners have taken to social media to report suspected poisoning when walking at Lindley Wood Reservoir, in the Washburn Valley, Harrogate.

Leeds man James Bevan lost his Cockerpoo, Winston, to acute kidney failure from toxic poisoning. The five-year-old dog ate something toxic on Sunday, April 7, at the reservoir and died eight days later.

Winston was a healthy award-winning agility dog and Mr Bevan said in a post on social media:

“Please do not walk in Lindley Wood at the moment with your dog. Tell people who do about this as it can’t be a coincidence and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

“I don’t have the words to do this justice right now. Maybe I never will. Everyone knows what he meant to us. My boy. My best friend. My team mate. My world. He changed our lives completely and made everyone who met him love him.”

Other dog owners have also taken to social media to warn walkers about the reservoir. Another dog who died from similar circumstances after being walked at the site was a puppy named Bear.

Lindley Wood, along with nearby Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs is owned by Yorkshire Water.

The company told the Stray Ferret that it was aware of the reports, but at this stage there has been no substance found.

However, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson urged dog owners to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at its reservoirs.

They said:

“We are saddened to hear of these incidents, which we were made aware of via social media. Our colleagues have not found anything suspicious at the reservoir, but we would encourage the dog owners to reach out to our customer service team and share specific details of where they were walking at the time so we can establish if this was on land owned by Yorkshire Water, and if so, support with any required investigation.

“In the meantime, we would continue to urge walkers and owners to remain vigilant and keep their dogs on a lead when walking around our reservoirs, for their safety, and the safety of surrounding wildlife.”

The Stray Ferret has also approached North Yorkshire Police for comment.

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Couple hand themselves in following Harrogate shop theft

A couple have handed themselves into the police following a CCTV appeal issued on Monday (April 15).

North Yorkshire Police released a set of CCTV images at the time to appeal for information following a theft at TK Maxx, in Harrogate‘s Victoria Shopping Centre, on February 25.

Police said on Monday “a woman and a man bagged various of items including sandals, trainers and T-shirts, leaving the store without making payment.

However, the force today (April 17) issued an updated statement, which said a local couple in their 50s “saw the appeal and came forward to the police to admit the theft”.

It added:

“With agreement from the store manager, a Community Resolution Disposal was applied which involved the couple paying for the goods valued over £100 within 24 hours.”

We have updated our coverage to anonymise the details of those involved.

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CCTV appeal after Harrogate M&S theft

North Yorkshire Police has issued a CCTV image of a woman it wants to speak to following a theft in Harrogate.

The incident happened at M&S Simply Food at Beech Avenue, at about 2pm on Friday, February 23.

According to a police statement today (Monday, April 15), a woman stole large amounts of alcohol in her bag.

The statement said:

“Please contact us if you recognise the women pictured on CCTV, as she may have information that will assist our investigation.”

Police would like to speak to the woman in the picture.

Anyone with information can email katie.hicks@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference 12240033400.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Man arrested after car crash and brawl in Harrogate

A man has been arrested following a car crash and suspected assault in Harrogate last night.

North Yorkshire Police today said two vehicles collided on Otley Road at the junction with Wharfedale Place at around 6pm.

According to a force statement, the two men then got into an “altercation at the scene” and both sustained injuries. The statement added:

“The man in his 30s was taken to hospital for treatment in relation to chest injuries. His injuries are believed not to be life-threatening.

“A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault and was also taken to hospital for facial injuries.”

Police said an investigation has now been launched.

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Police seek man after alcohol theft in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police has issued a CCTV image of a man it wants to talk to after alcohol was stolen in Harrogate.

According to a statement issued last night, £76 worth of alcohol was taken from Marks & Spencer Simply Food on Beech Avenue.

It happened at about 5.50pm on Saturday, March 23.

Anyone who can identify the man or has any other information about the incident can email Brendon.Frith@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can call 101, select option 2 and ask for Brendon Frith or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Quote reference number 12240051837.

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Suspended North Yorkshire police officers are on full pay

North Yorkshire Police has confirmed that two officers currently suspended from duty are both on full pay.

The force said in a statement last weekend it had referred an officer to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following concerns about the use of force.

It is the second case involving a North Yorkshire Police officer being investigated by the IOPC.

The police watchdog revealed in December last year a senior officer had been suspended and was under criminal investigation “for the potential offences of misconduct in public office, improper exercise of police powers and intent to pervert the course of justice”.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police whether the two officers had been suspended on full pay.

A spokesperson for the constabulary confirmed this was the case. They added:

“Suspension and associated conditions are set in regulations and we do not have any control over this.”

We also asked the IOPC when it was likely to make a decision on the case that began four months ago.

An IOPC spokesperson said there was “no set timescale on the investigation at this point”, adding:

“The officer has been interviewed under criminal caution and investigators are continuing to address further lines of enquiries.”

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CCTV appeal after attempted robbery at Harrogate jeweller

North Yorkshire Police issued a CCTV image appeal following an attempted robbery at a Harrogate jeweller. We have amended our coverage as the suspect has been arrested.

The force today said the incident, which happened at Ogden’s on James Street, took place at around 1.50pm.

The statement said a man entered the store and attempted to steal “two high-value watches”.

Officers asked people to come forward with information at the time.

Police added:

“A brave member of staff tackled the suspect who fled from the store, discarding the two watches as he went.

“A member of the public also found a discarded display in the street and carefully returned it to the shop. Our thanks go to them both for their quick thinking.

“Any witnesses to the incident and anyone who can help identify the man in the images, is asked to email Detective Sergeant Tom Barker at tom.barker@northyorkshire.police.uk. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”

Quote reference 12240061721 when passing on information.

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Harrogate and Ripon crime gang jailed after police uncovered robbery and firearms plot

A group of Harrogate and Ripon men linked to serious and organised crime have been jailed today (Monday, April 8) for a collective 25 years and 11 months.

The court heard how the following gang members were linked to an organised crime group who’d been involved in a dispute with a rival group.

Between Friday 6 and Monday January 9 2023,  North Yorkshire Police organised crime unit carried out an investigation into a suspected organised crime group that was active in the Harrogate district.

Image from footage captured during the arrest

According to a North Yorkshire Police media release today, police gathered intelligence suggesting a man had been kidnapped and held against his will.

It was established Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan were preparing to kidnap the victim and extort him for money, believing that he had a large amount of cash stashed in two addresses in Harrogate.

Information was obtained that Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan were planning to use force against the victim. At the time Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan, Philip Wilson and two other gang members had located and taken the victim using force. William Davy visited the two addresses and recovered cash from where the victim had it stored.

Philip Wilson allowed his vehicle to be used to kidnap the victim and commit the offence.  Following the kidnap Philip Wilson arranged for the disposal of his vehicle to destroy any forensic evidence.

After recovering the cash, William Davy communicated the news with Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan and the victim was then released. Intelligence indicated that the amount of cash stolen from the victim was approximately £70,000.

The investigation found evidence to show that Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan subsequently and unknowingly at the time had robbed a rival organised crime group from West Yorkshire.

Further intelligence led officers to believe that Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan and another gang member were arranging to source a sawn-off shotgun and live ammunition. They then jointly sourced the firearm and ammunition in order to cause fear to those who sought retribution having had their cash stolen by the gang.

The shotgun found by North Yorkshire Police

A police helicopter was deployed and used to track the gang as they were travelling with the firearm and live ammunition and believed they were getting their ‘crew’ together in readiness to confront the rival gang.

At this point, armed response officers actioned a hard stop of one of the vehicles and detained three members of the gang which included Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan and recovered both their vehicles.

Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan and another gang member were ordered to get out the vehicle at gun point and were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to kidnap.

Both Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan’s vehicles were forensically examined, and a long package was recovered in the back seat of Fuller McMillan’s vehicle. Examination of this package showed that it contained a sawn-off shotgun, with four live shotgun cartridges.

The shotgun was heavily wrapped in a bin bag and paper. In a further search, seven more shotgun cartridges were found wrapped in a balaclava within a boxing glove in the vehicle.

NPAS police helicopter footage

Detective constable Helen Quaife, of North Yorkshire Police’s serious and organised crime unit, said:

“We have seen nationally how the use of weapons used by feuding gang members can devastate families and communities. This type of crime will not be tolerated in North Yorkshire.

“The sawn-off shotgun was viable and along with its ammunition was intended to be used.

“This investigation was conducted meticulously with a large number of enquiries conducted dealing with witnesses, forensics, CCTV and specialist expert evidence. The sentences imposed on these gang members illustrates just how serious these offences are taken. I hope this will be a warning to others who think the use of weapons will be tolerated within our communities.  We will intervene, and people will be punished, to keep our communities safe.”

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Moped youths arrested in Knaresborough

Four youths are being investigated for riding a stolen moped, traffic offences and possession with the intent to supply drugs.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today, a police community support officer spotted three youths riding a moped without helmets in Knaresborough yesterday (Sunday, April 7).

It added five youths were subsequently arrested following “police activity” and four are now under investigation.

The statement added:

“House-to-house enquiries were carried out in the Stockwell area yesterday, however any CCTV footage would assist with the investigation.

“If you were in the Stockwell and surrounding areas yesterday between 3.30pm and 5pm please check any CCTV or ring doorbell-type CCTV for a red Yamaha moped and a group of youths.

“If you have footage or any information please contact NYP on 101 quoting reference 12240060502.”

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Police officer suspended after violent incident in Harrogate district

A police officer has been suspended after an arrest turned violent in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement yesterday (April 7) it had referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct “following concerns raised about the officers’ use of force”.

The incident happened in the Tockwith area on January 26 this year. Tockwith is between Knaresborough and York on the edge of the Harrogate district.

Police received a report of a road traffic collision. The statement added:

“Officers attended, and arrested a man in his 40s in connection with the incident.

“The man became violent towards officers, who used force to restrain and arrest him. He was taken to custody, and subsequently released on bail while enquiries continue.

“Following concerns raised about the officers’ use of force, the incident was referred voluntarily by North Yorkshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who are investigating the circumstances.

“Following a review, one officer was subsequently suspended from duty.”

The IOPC is a non-departmental public body which investigates the most serious complaints about conduct matters involving police.

The statement concluded:

“We want to reassure our communities that we take concerns of this nature very seriously, and will continue to work closely with the IOPC.”

The IOPC said in December last year a senior North Yorkshire Police officer had been suspended and was under criminal investigation “for the potential offences of misconduct in public office, improper exercise of police powers and intent to pervert the course of justice”.

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