Reader’s Letter: Who does have the power to tackle rough sleeping camp near Crescent Gardens?

This email letter was sent to the Stray Ferret following our story yesterday: Crescent Gardens rough sleepers offered accommodation ‘daily’, council says. 

Mr Kirk Wilber-Moran has also circulated his letter to his MP, Andrew Jones, North Yorkshire Council leader, Carl Les , The Harrogate Homeless Project and North Yorkshire Police.  

Dear all,
I am writing to you in connection, as you can imagine, to the rough sleeping compound that has been created and allowed to continue over the last week in the (former) band stand in Crescent Gardens, as I am sure many local residents have.
Now, I do appreciate that homelessness exists, often through no fault of that person, that said what I am witnessing is unacceptable on several different levels.
Over the past few months, I have made several reports to the council and completed a police report in relation to this situation that we find ourselves in.
Over the last few days, I have witnessed drinking, drug taking, fires, public urination and some rather unsightly behaviour and believe me, I am no prude.
If you haven’t yet visited the sight, it really is quite an impressive set up with a double mattress (with bedding), a makes shift/travel wardrobe, chairs, cooking equipment, lighting, there was even curtain hung at one point…. and more liquor than Cold Bath Brewery.
Living so close we are unable to open our living room windows, especially in the evening due to shouting, swearing and often in coherent noise. If you leave the building by car, you have to dodge people half-drunk crossing the road on their way back from the latest ‘booze run’ or risk a middle finger and colourful language aimed your way.
I do understand that when someone is homeless that they have to find somewhere is that warm and dry however, what is being done to support them and find them more suitable accommodation?
Having read Flora Grafton’s article in the Stray Ferret, in which in states that neither the police nor the council have the power to do anything, I would like to know who does? I find astounding that resident’s day to day lives are expected to change, we can no longer feel safe walking through the gardens for the fear of being shouted at or coming face to face with someone who is so far gone on drink and/or drugs they have forgotten how to walk.
As a town we have a large tourist industry and one of the great things about coming to Harrogate is the free walking tour operated by Harry, the fact this has now changed route to avoid the area is just beyond words.
It is very easy for all of us to sit in our warms homes or offices passing blame, passing judgement and saying ‘it’s not my job’ but who’s job, is it? Who is going to take a stand and do something?
This is a very real situation that needs not just addressing but real action taking for both residents and our new neighbours.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Kind regards
Kirk Wilber-Moran

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Police issue urgent appeal to stop sharing online videos of fatal Nidderdale crash

North Yorkshire Police has urged people to stop sharing footage on social media of the crash that killed 17-year-old Alfie Lovett.

Alfie, from York, was a passenger in a Peugeot 107 which crashed into a wall on Brimham Rocks Road, near Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale, on Tuesday at 6.50pm.

Three other people in the car were left with minor injuries and the driver has been helping police with their enquiries.

The constabulary issued a statement this afternoon saying it was “aware of numerous video clips that are circulating which show footage from the fatal road traffic collision at Brimham Rocks on Tuesday evening”.

The statement added:

“Officers are urgently asking anyone who is in possession of any of this video footage to save it and immediately make contact with the police as this could be critical to the investigation.

“To preserve the integrity of the investigation and out of respect to Alfie’s family officers are also asking that anyone who has any of the footage refrains from sharing it with anyone else other than the police.”

Police urged anyone with video footage to email general.enquiries@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101.

Quote reference number 12230173187.

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Police name teenager who died in fatal Brimham Rocks crash

A 17-year-old boy who died after a car collided with a wall on Brimham Rocks Road has been named by the police.

Alfie Lovett, from York, was a passenger in the Peugeot 107 which crashed on Tuesday at 6.50pm.

North Yorkshire Police reported he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have shared a tribute his family paid to him.

It says:

“Alfie was a unique personality who loved to make people laugh and lived for adrenaline fuelled adventures. He lived his life fearlessly and marched to the beat of his own drum without caring about what anyone thought of him.

“Alfie had his own world view that very few understood. He was only 17, but has made a huge mark in his short time and anyone who’s ever met him is not likely to ever forget him!

“Alfie was a fiercely loyal friend, a protective big brother to his 2 younger sisters and brother and loving father to his infant son. Taken from us far too soon with so much more to give, he’ll be very missed every day.”

Three other occupants of the car were left with minor injuries and the driver has been helping police with their enquiries.

An appeal was launched earlier this week for witnesses.

Officers added in the original appeal:

“We are keen to hear from anyone who has captured any dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the collision.”

You can email Nicola.Peters@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Nicola Peters.

Quote incident number 12230173187.

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Crescent Gardens rough sleepers offered accommodation ‘daily’, council says

North Yorkshire Council has said it has provided a group of rough sleepers in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens with daily offers of accommodation.

The group, which it is claimed contains up to 10 people at various times, took over the pavilion near the public toilets a week ago.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday anti-social behaviour concerns among nearby residents.

One resident, Eileen Dockray, said she had reported the group to both the council and North Yorkshire Police on Tuesday but was passed between the two.

Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director for housing, yesterday said:

“We are aware of a group of people sleeping rough in this area and have been engaging with them daily with offers of accommodation made to them all.

“In the evening there is a larger congregation but those visiting the site are not homeless.

“A multi-agency meeting takes place weekly and this site is on the agenda for actions by everyone involved. Reports from the public of anti-social behaviour have been minimal, but it is important that we are notified to enable the police to pursue any appropriate actions needed.”

The pavilion has been used by rough sleepers for a week.

Mr Rowe added:

“The council is committed to its work with rough sleepers in the county and will continue to engage with this group, in an attempt to secure a suitable housing outcome.

“The area is monitored by our community safety team and any issues of an anti-social nature should be referred to the police.”

One resident from the nearby Grosvenor Buildings, who asked not to be named, said this morning the group were “talking, yelling and laughing” between 3am and 4am this morning.

The resident added:

“It has been like this for a few days. They are occupying a central public space, depriving residents of its use and causing day-to-day nuisances to the neighbourhood.

“I called the police and was told it is a council issue.

“A few residents in my building are also frustrated by the lack of action from any authority to remove the encampment.

“This Crescent Gardens pavilion attracted a few entrenched homeless people before and now even a large group — over 10 during certain times — so should be identified as a ‘vulnerable site’.”

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Police cordon off cabman’s shelter on Harrogate’s West Park

Police have cordoned off one of the cabman’s shelter on West Park Stray in Harrogate.

Police and ambulance workers were at the scene before 9am this morning.

Officers at the scene did not say why the area had been closed.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for further information.

West Park is still open to traffic.

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Concerns over encampment of rough sleepers in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

Residents have spoken of their frustration over a lack of action against a group of rough sleepers camping in one of Harrogate’s most popular areas.

A group of homeless people have inhabited the pavilion alongside the toilets in Crescent Gardens over the last week.

A Harrogate woman concerned about antisocial behaviour said she had been told by both North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council that neither had any power to resolve the situation and she kept getting passed between the two.

Eileen Dockray said the group had expanded as fellow rough sleepers and friends joined with their personal belongings.

She said people were coming and going throughout the day and night, adding:

“The council passed me to the police, the police back to the council, and then back the police.

“The police also said they have no power to move people who are just people gathering to have a chat and to drink, no matter how it bothers residents. What are we meant to do?”

The pavilion has become home to the rough sleepers.

Another Harrogate resident, who asked not to be named, said:

“Many local residents are not able to access the area anymore and a few weekly exercise groups have moved to Valley Gardens.

“The walking tour has also diverted its route.”

“I am surprised how the council does not act when a homeless encampment has popped up in the centre of our floral town where many visitors and locals frequently pass through.”

One rough sleeper, called Sally, told the Stray Ferret on Wednesday a council member of staff had visited Crescent Gardens that morning.

Sally said she was advised to wait for a call to hear a range of options going forward but she had heard nothing since.

We asked North Yorkshire Council what measures it was taking but had not received a response by the time of publication.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“Homelessness is something the council look after so it would be for the council to answer your questions regarding the visit and/or the options available to those who may be sleeping rough.”

Cllr Sam Gibbs, a Conservative who represents Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate on North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“From what you have told me my instinct tells me it is a police matter as far as the anti-social behaviour is concerned as it is probably private land.

“The council offers a range of support for rough sleepers and work closely with other organisations such as the Harrogate Homeless Project.”

Maggie Gibson, who was housing needs manager at the former Harrogate Borough Council, reported homelessness had “significantly increased” in the district amid the pandemic and cost of living crisis in February this year.

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Boy, 17, dies after car hits wall near Brimham Rocks

A 17-year-old boy has been killed after a car collided with a wall near Brimham Rocks, near Pateley Bridge.

The teenager, who has not been named, was a passenger in a grey Peugeot 107 when it hit the wall on Brimham Rocks Road at 6.50pm last night.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for witnesses and information.

The force said in a statement:

“Tragically, a 17-year-old boy, a passenger in the 107 died at the scene of the collision. The boy’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

“Three other occupants were left with minor injuries and the driver is helping with the police with their enquiries.

“The road was closed for several hours to allow investigation work to take place at the scene of the collision.”

Police are urging anyone who saw the collision, or the car involved prior to the collision, to get in touch.

Brimham Rocks Road

Officers think that the car left the Fulford area of York at 11am on the same day and travelled to Brimham Rocks via Kirk Hammerton, Green Hammerton and Knaresborough.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has captured any dashcam footage of the vehicle prior to the collision.

You can email Nicola.Peters@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Nicola Peters.

Quote incident number 12230173187.

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Motorbike stolen from Harrogate’s James Street

A motorcycle has been stolen from one of Harrogate’s busiest shopping streets.

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for information about the theft, which occurred on James Street between 6pm on August 26 and 12.15am on August 27.

The 22-reg black and orange KTM 125 Duke was taken and then found abandoned on Byron Walk Mews at about 6am on 27 August.

Police urged anyone with information to email katie.bell@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for Katie Bell.

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

Quote reference number 12230161540.

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Police release CCTV images after theft from van in Starbeck

Police have issued CCTV to identify two men involved in a theft from a van in Starbeck.

The incident happened at around 2pm on July 5, 2023, close to Papa Johns Pizza on the junction of Stonefall Avenue and Knaresborough Road.

Items were taken from a van belonging to a telecommunications engineer, who was working at height.

North Yorkshire Police have appealed for help in identifying two men who were involved in the incident.

A force statement said:

“The first man is a white male, 16-20-years-old, 5ft 8 inches tall with short ginger hair. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a black jumper.

“The second man is white, around 30-years-old, around 6ft tall and was wearing a black jumper and jeans.

“If you recognise the men in the images below, please get in contact.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can email joseph.havercroft@northyorkshire.police.uk.

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

Quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230124365.

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Police appeal after man bitten by dog in Knaresborough

A man has been injured after being bitten by a dog in Knaresborough.

The incident happened on Mill Lane at around 9.30pm on Saturday, August 26.

North Yorkshire Police is now appealing for witnesses and information.

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The force said in a statement:

“The dog’s owner had four or five dogs of different breeds, which were black and light colours.

“He was described as a man in his 50s wearing a plaid grey/white jacket.

“If you have any information, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and provide reference number 12230163476.”