The chief constable of North Yorkshire Police is being urged to apologise for her force’s past “witch-hunting of the LGBT+ community”. 

The call comes in a letter to North Yorkshire’s top officer, Lisa Winward, from the veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. 

In the letter, Mr Tatchell, who is director of the human rights organisation the Peter Tatchell Foundation, acknowledges North Yorkshire Police’s “current supportive policies towards the LGBT+ community”, calling them “excellent progress”.

But he adds: 

“The North Yorkshire police force was very homophobic in past decades and went out of its way to target consenting, victimless behaviour that harmed no one. It wrecked the lives of many LGBT+ people.” 

The foundation is spearheading the #ApologiseNow campaign, urging all chief constables to say sorry for what it calls their “past anti-LGBT+ witch-hunts”.

In his letter, Mr Tatchell describes behaviours he says were frequently exhibited by the police:

“In the decades before the full decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2003 in England and Wales, your officers went out of their way to target and arrest gay and bisexual men for consenting, victimless behaviour. They were often excessive, harsh, vindictive and cruel.

“There was a de facto policy of sometimes releasing the names, addresses and workplaces of arrested men to the media, which led to public humiliation, ostracism, evictions, sackings and even violent attacks.

“In some cases, gay bars, clubs and even private birthday parties were raided. Same-sex couples were arrested for kissing, cuddling and holding hands in the street. Heterosexual couples engaged in similar behaviour were not. This was malicious homophobic policing and it wrecked lives.

“Upon conviction, these men were often jailed and beaten in prison. Others were hit with huge fines. Many lost their jobs, homes and marriages. Some were bashed by homophobic mobs, driven to mental breakdowns and attempted or committed suicide.

“With the stigma of a criminal conviction for a homosexual offence, a lot of the victims of police shaming had great difficulty in getting jobs and housing. Their lives were ruined by the police targeting consensual acts that harmed nobody.”

Mr Tatchell added:  

“I hope that a formal apology will be made to the LGBT+ community. It would help further improve LGBT+ trust and confidence in the police, which is what we all want.

“We do not expect an apology from the police for enforcing historic homophobic laws. What we are requesting is an apology for the often abusive and threatening way those laws were enforced – ways that would be deemed illegal and unacceptable today.

The Metropolitan Police has already apologised for its past behaviour, and backed it up with a new LGBT+ plan for London and the appointment of LGBT+ community liaison officers in every London borough. Similar apologies have also been made by the chief constables of Sussex and South Yorkshire, but West Midlands Police has said it will not apologise.

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The Chief Constable of Northumbria, Vanessa Jardine, is the lead on LGBT+ policy among UK chief constables and has written to all chief constables supporting calls for them to say sorry. The appeal is also endorsed by the National Police LGBT+ Network, which is made up of serving LGBT+ officers.

Asked about the force’s response to Mr Tatchell’s letter, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson told the Stray Ferret: 

“North Yorkshire Police has committed itself to an array of inclusion and diversity initiatives of late, and much of that has been publicised. 

 “In relation to the [Peter Tatchell Foundation’s] press release, we’re aware of what other forces have done and are keeping it under consideration.” 

In 2000, North Yorkshire Police was one of the first forces in the UK to establish a helpline for lesbian and gay officers and civilian staff.

More recently, its Equality Objectives 2020-24 document lays out several aims affecting the LGBT+ community, including: increasing awareness and reporting of hate crime and providing victims with appropriate support; improving the treatment of victims of crime, especially those with protected characteristics; and increasing the representation rates of LGBT+ employees in senior police roles. 

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information after a car collided with a runner in Harrogate.

The runner, who has not been named, suffered minor cuts and bruising.

The incident occurred on Knaresborough Road between the Prince of Wales roundabout and the Empress roundabout between 7.30am and 7:50am on Friday, August 25.

A police statement said:

“Police are now requesting the public’s assistance to help identify any possible witnesses, or anyone that may have dash cam footage of the collision.

“In particular, officers are appealing for information about the vehicle involved in the collision which is believed to be gold in colour.”

Anyone with information can email Joseph.Schramm@Northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for Joseph Schramm.

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

Quote reference number 12230160877.

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A man who went missing from a Harrogate care home has been found safe, North Yorkshire Police has said.

Police issued an urgent appeal for help find the man on Saturday when he went missing at 6.30am.

It asked people to report sightings.

But officers later said the man had been found “safe and well”.

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Hunt saboteurs have disrupted shoots near Pateley Bridge at the start of the grouse shooting season.

Calder Valley Hunt Saboteurs ran a series of protests shortly after the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ — the date in August marking the beginning of the annual grouse shooting season.

The saboteurs targeted shoots on Heathfield Moor, Braithwaite Moor, Ramsgill Bents Moor and Stean Moor.

The group claimed on Facebook its protests led to “shooters sullenly trudging back to their vehicles” and cancelling their planned activities.

Hunt saboteurs protest in Nidderdale.

Mendip Hunt Saboteurs also took part in the protests. Both groups are part of the Hunt Saboteurs Association, which opposes the hunting of wildlife in Britain.

The saboteurs shared pictures on Facebook of the police arriving at the scene and claimed the police failed to “deter” them.

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North Yorkshire Police’s community messaging website posted a message alerting people to the situation. It said:

“Anti-grouse shooting activists are operating in the area of Lofthouse and Ramsgill who are affecting local businesses and communities. Please report any issues of concern or suspicious vehicles to North Yorkshire Police on 101.”

Police responds to a protest.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police for further details of the activists, including whether they were doing anything illegal.

A police spokesperson said:

“Local residents had reported unusual activity and unknown vehicles in the area, so a message was sent via community messenger to ensure local residents were aware of possible protest activity in the area and provide some reassurance.”

Burglars made off with a number of expensive items after breaking into a home in Burn Bridge.

Police in Harrogate today appealed for information about the crime, which took place at a house on Westminster Crescent.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Between 9:30am on Thursday 17 August and 3pm on Sunday 20 August somebody entered the property and stole a number of high-value items.”

The statement urged anyone who saw anything suspicious or has information about the incident to email Jonathan.Cleary@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Jonathan Cleary.

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

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230156838.

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A mother has paid tribute to her 18-year-old son who died in a car crash on the edge of the Harrogate district.

James Gomersall died in a collision on the B6265 near Score Ray Lane, between Whixley and Thorpe Underwood, on June 24.

Mr Gomersall, who was from Green Hammerton, was the front passenger in a blue Ford Focus when it collided with a silver Volkswagen Touran. He died at the scene.

Police issued a statement today in which Mr Gomersall’s mother described him as “truly amazing” and a caring brother to his four siblings.

She said:

“James was truly amazing in everything he did, he shone like the sun! He was so helpful around the house and would do anything for friends and neighbours and never expected anything in return.

“He leaves three brothers and a sister, two of whom have severe learning difficulties. He had so much care in him and so much patience. He was an amazing big brother; the best you could get, and they miss him so much.

“He loved animals; turtles, fish, cats and especially his dogs which he used to walk for miles, they too are missing him, waiting at the door for him to come home.”

She added:

“James had just got his first proper job and I was so proud of him but unfortunately, he never got the chance to start. There are so many things that James will never be able to experience; my beautiful boy taken far too soon at only 18.

“He was his dad’s right-hand man and he was my best friend, being without him is very painful and a piece of us all has died with him. Our family are devastated, and our hearts are truly broken, we will never be the same again.

“He is a ray of light in the dark, he is the rainbows in the sky, he is the warmth from the sun, he is everything, he was our world and so much more. He was just a brilliant man all round. They say God only takes the best.”

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An inquest into Mr Gomersall’s death opened on July 12. It was adjourned for a full hearing at a later date.

North Yorkshire Police has reissued an appeal for any witnesses to the crash to come forward.

A force statement added:

“Police are urging anyone who saw the collision or either car involved prior to it to get in touch. They would also like to hear from anyone who may have relevant dashcam footage.

“Anyone with information is asked to email PC Julie Brown Julie.Brown@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Julie Brown. 

“Please quote reference number 12230116638 when passing information.”

North Yorkshire Police has started issuing dogs with collar numbers.

Assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said the move was in recognition of dogs being colleagues rather than just assets.

The animals will also have their names added to a new Police Dog Roll of Honour at the force’s headquarters at Northallerton when they retire or are killed in the line of duty. Their police handlers will be presented with a ceremonial dog collar.

In another move, North Yorkshire Police has created a memorial garden for police dogs at Northallerton. PD Dixon, who died in March last year has been given the first collar number PD0001.

PC Josh Hunsely with Rhun 

ACC Foskett said:

“Our police dogs are not simply force assets, they are our colleagues. They work alongside us every day and along with their handlers, are responsible for catching some of the most prolific and dangerous criminals operating in our communities.

“I was delighted to be able to recognise their importance to us as a force and the wider public.”

North Yorkshire Police also announced today it has introduced a new animal welfare scheme that will see unannounced checks on its kennels.

North Yorkshire Police dog handler Sergeant Gareth Gummerson said:

“Animal welfare is paramount, not only to me as an individual, but also as a police dog handler and I share this passion with my colleagues on the force’s dog section.”

PC Tony Barnes with Molly, who is trained to find drugs, cash and weapons.

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A man caught dealing cocaine and ecstasy in Harrogate has been jailed for 22 months.

Christopher David Corrigan, also known as Purser, 38, of Lingfield Drive, Moortown, Leeds, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Thursday.

Corrigan was intercepted by police on Yew Tree Lane where his then girlfriend was found to have 72 wraps of cocaine in her bra.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and ecstasy at a previous hearing.

His girlfriend at the time, Jordan Wood, 27, from Northallerton, stood trial for the same offences and was found not guilty.

Stopped on Yew Tree Lane

Officers from Harrogate’s specialist drugs unit Operation Expedite stopped a grey Peugeot 208 on Yew Tree Lane on April 30, 2021.

According to police, they had “concerns that the driver was involved in the supply of cocaine in the area”.

They detained Corrigan and Ms Wood, who was the front seat passenger.

A search of the couple and the vehicle found 72 wraps of drugs in Ms Wood’s bra.

Both were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

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During police interview, Ms Wood answered “no comment” to all questions and Corrigan said he was £8,000 in debt.

Tests showed 60 cocaine wraps were 89% pure and 10 wraps were 29% pure.

Two further bags were found to be 95% pure ecstasy, which is also a Class A drug.

The total amount of cocaine was just over 30 grams and the total amount of ecstasy was 1.23 grams.

The total street value of all the drugs seized was £3,480.

‘He can reflect on his behaviour in prison’

Police discovered Corrigan’s mobile phone contained numerous messages in which a ‘line holder’ arranged drug deals and Corrigan was sent to conduct the deals.

Corrigan pleaded guilty to the offence in April this year and was remanded in custody awaiting the outcome of Ms Wood’s trial.

PC Michael Haydock, of Operation Expedite, said:

“Corrigan was the main protagonist which was clear to see from the evidence presented by the officer in the case. Corrigan was left with no option but to admit his guilt.

“He can now reflect on his criminal behaviour whilst serving his custodial sentence. Anyone else who tries their hand at drug dealing can expect to end up where he is too.

“There is no place for drug dealers. They inflict misery and suffering on people, their families and communities, all for their own greed.”

North Yorkshire Police has revealed why a Harrogate pub was forced to close.

The Stone Beck at Jennyfields stopped serving customers on August 4.

A police spokesperson said:

“The pub has closed because it does not currently have a designated premises supervisor appointed, which is a legal pre-requisite for alcohol to be sold lawfully at a licensed premises.

“Without a designated premises supervisor, a pub cannot legally sell alcohol.”

A designated premises supervisor has day-to-day responsibility for running business that sell or supply alcohol.

Last week landlord Phill Kirby told the Stray Ferret the pub had closed due to a “licensing issue” and would open in “due course”.

North Yorkshire Council, the licensing authority, said it had “no current actions on this premises”.

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North Yorkshire Police has alerted Knaresborough residents to a new scam that involves impersonating police officers.

The force said in a statement today it had received at least three reports over the last two days about bogus callers.

Someone calls, claiming they are a police officer and asks about a fictitious person in custody. They then ask the resident if they are at home and when they will be out or returning home.

The statement said:

“This is a scam, and police have urged residents to put the phone down, do not engage in conversation with the caller, and do not give any personal information to them.”

Police urged anyone who may have received such a call to call 101 and pass information to the force control room, adding:

“Although we have not received any reports of anyone physically calling at a property, please do be vigilant when it comes to any unexpected callers at your door.

“If you don’t know who it is, don’t answer the door, and keep your doors locked, even when you are at home.”

More information about checking a police officer’s identity can be found here.

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