Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP Andrew Jones has written to North Yorkshire’s chief constable asking her to reconsider the force’s approach to this year’s remembrance parades.
North Yorkshire Police has said it will no longer provide traffic management for parades, including those on Remembrance Sunday, ending a practice that has lasted for decades.
Knaresborough Royal British Legion has said the decision threatened this year’s parade in the town from taking place.
Mr Jones has called for the police to continue to provide the service this year, as there is little time for alternative arrangements, and then work with community groups so they can take over in future.
North Yorkshire Police claims its decision is due to changes to the law in 2004 and subsequent guidance from professional bodies representing police. It also says it is now out-of-step with other police forces which ceased traffic management of remembrance parades many years ago.
Remembrance Sunday in Knaresboroug. Picture: Charlotte Gale
Mr Jones wrote to North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe asking her to review the force’s decision and reinstate police support at remembrance parades.
His office said today chief constable Lisa Winward had replied “outlining the legal position and the guidance from professional bodies”.
Mr Jones has asked the chief constable asking her to reinstate police traffic management for remembrance parades this year.
He said:
“Remembrance is about our public services coming together and facilitating a collective act of tribute not just to those who have fallen in our armed forces but those in the emergency services who have given their lives that we can be free.
“The parades are an integral part of this and an important tradition that will be lost without traffic management.
“The sudden decision by North Yorkshire Police has endangered that tradition and left little time to put in place alternative arrangements.”
Read more:
- Police defend decision to end Remembrance Day traffic management
- Local Remembrance Sunday parades under threat after police withdraw traffic help
Recognising the police want to stop traffic management duties, Mr Jones has asked Ms Winward to meet with him and parade organisers to discuss “a managed handover of traffic management to volunteers, community groups or council staff”.
He said:
“If the police want to stop traffic management for remembrance it is an operational decision. I think it is a poor decision but in the final analysis it is their decision to take.
“But the sudden announcement means there is little opportunity to save this year’s parades. That is why I am asking them to reconsider the approach for this year and then work with community groups to ensure they have the capacity and knowledge to provide the support for future years.
“I am hopeful that by taking a constructive and collaborative approach we can save these much-loved parts of our remembrance in which the police join and in which we remember the fallen among their number too.”
Harrogate cocaine and cannabis ring jailed for 31 years
Four members of an organised crime group involved in county lines drug dealing in Harrogate and surrounding areas have been jailed for a total of 31 years.
Ermal Biba, 39 of Trafalgar Court, Harrogate, Allaman Tatariku, 26 of Chatsworth Grove, Harrogate, Klajid Lleshi, 23 of Kinloss Court, Barnet, and Adam Sarkowski, 41 of Wedderburn Close, Harrogate, appeared for sentencing at Leeds Crown Court this morning.
Their activities were uncovered by Operation Logic, a police investigation into the supply of cocaine and cannabis in Harrogate and Rochdale, Greater Manchester, which commenced in September 2021.
The operation led police to Ashfield Road, Harrogate on May 5, 2022. where suspects Biba, Tatariku and Lleshi were discovered.
After attempting to escape and assaulting officers, they were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs. Drugs and related items were seized along with cash and cannabis growing equipment.
A search of Sarkowski’s home resulted in mobile phones and sim cards being seized.
These revealed information about county lines, drug-dealing activity and vehicles used, as well as many messages with customers relating to purchasing drugs. Forensic tests on cash found at the property also revealed cocaine traces.
Evidence uncovered by Operation Logic also connected Biba, Lleshi and Woodley to a large-scale cannabis production facility at Sherwood Business Park, Queensway, Rochdale.
The site, uncovered by Greater Manchester Police, grew cannabis with a street value of £1,440,000.
In court this morning, Biba, who was described as the ring leader, was jailed for 13 years and six months.
Read more:
- Guilty plea ends trial into alleged Harrogate cocaine racket
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Tatariku was jailed for seven years and one month and Lleshi was jailed for six years and three months.
Sarkowski was jailed for four years and seven months.
Biba, Tatariku, Lleshi and Sarkowski pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A and class B drugs.
A fifth man, Gavin Woodley, 45, of Fairfax Avenue in Harrogate, was given a suspended sentence in March after pleading guilty to allowing a premises to be used under the Misuse of Drugs act.
Speaking after sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, Sinead Brocken, detective constable at North Yorkshire Police, said:
Police release CCTV image after burglary in Harrogate“We are delighted to have put a stop to this organised crime group, headed by Biba, who were responsible for supplying cocaine and cannabis to Harrogate and the surrounding areas for a period spanning between 2019 to 2022.
“Drug rings such as this have a ruinous effect on our society leaving a trail of misery. These individuals acted out of pure selfishness, disregarding the damage caused by drugs to both our communities and those addicted to them.”
Police have issued CCTV image of a person they would like to speak to after a burglary in Harrogate.
The incident happened at a house on Kirkham Grove in the Bilton area on July 14.
A person claiming to be carrying out maintenance on behalf of the landlord forced their way into the property.
North Yorkshire Police has appealed for the public’s help in identifying the person in the CCTV image.
A police statement added:
“Anyone who can help identify the person is asked to email chloe.winter-atkinson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and enter collar number 1820.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote reference number 12230131089 when passing on information.”
Read more:
- Harrogate cocaine and cannabis ring jailed for 31 years
- Police remove Nazi swastika flag hung over Harrogate Train Station
Three missing Harrogate girls found safe
Three missing girls from Harrogate have been found safe.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed that two 13-year-old and a 16-year-old girl were found in Leeds and returned to their families.
The girls were last seen at 5pm on Thursday (August 10).
One of the 13-year-old girls was found on Friday and the other two were returned to their families yesterday.
A police statement said:
“Protecting vulnerable people is of paramount importance to North Yorkshire Police.”
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Police remove Nazi swastika flag hung over Harrogate Train Station
Police are investigating a suspected hate incident after a Nazi swastika flag was hung from a flat overlooking Harrogate Train Station.
The swastika appeared on Saturday and was visible to commuters until police removed it that night.
It was displayed from the window of a flat on East Parade, high above the train station.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement last night:
“Police in Harrogate are investigating a suspected hate incident after a swastika flag was placed in the window of a flat near Harrogate Train Station on Saturday.
“Two separate complaints were made to North Yorkshire Police.
“Following enquiries, officers attended the property just before 10pm to remove the offensive item.”
Read more:
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The spokesperson added:
“The matter is now subject to an investigation and the occupant of the flat, who was not present, will be spoken to in due course.
“Officers will also be taking formal statements from the two complainants during the week, as well as conducting further enquiries in the neighbourhood.”
‘We couldn’t believe it’
Harrogate man Thomas Norman, who reported the incident to police, was travelling to the Harrogate Brewing Co. beer festival on Saturday evening when he noticed the swastika at the station. He added:
“We couldn’t believe it at first and had to ask each other if it was what we thought it was, it was uncanny, I’ve never seen that in a real life context.”
It is the second time in just over a year a swastika has been displayed from a property in Harrogate.
On the previous occasion, the man responsible said it was a kriegsmarine flag which he put up to mark the sinking of the Bismarck ship.
Police asked witnesses to the latest incident, or anyone with information, to make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, option 4.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or make an online report.
Quote reference number 12230151540.
Missing Harrogate girls found safeThree missing girls from Harrogate have been found safe.
North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that two 13-year-old and a 16-year-old girl were found in Leeds and returned to their families.
The girls were last seen at 5pm on Thursday (August 10).
A police statement said:
“Protecting vulnerable people is of paramount importance to North Yorkshire Police.”
Read more:
- Harrogate and Knaresborough MP supports housing asylum seekers on barge
- Hot Seat: The man luring shoppers to Harrogate
Police confirm missing Harrogate teenagers found
Three missing girls from Harrogate have been found safe.
North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that two 13-year-old and a 16-year-old girl were found in Leeds and returned to their families.
The girls were last seen at 5pm on Thursday (August 10).
A police statement said:
“Protecting vulnerable people is of paramount importance to North Yorkshire Police.”
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- ‘Proud Yorkshire lass’ wins £2m Harrogate farmhouse in Omaze draw
Trains stopped amid ‘concerns for safety’ of teenager on Crimple Valley viaduct
Trains on the Harrogate line were stopped this morning after emergency services were called to deal with concerns for the safety of a teenager on Crimple Valley viaduct.
The concerns were first reported to police just after 5.30am, and both North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police attended the scene.
They were joined by staff from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, while North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was on stand-by to help if needed.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“Police negotiators brought [it] to a safe conclusion just before 8.30am.
“A man aged in his late teens was checked over my paramedics and he is receiving medical support.”
Train services on the line had to be replaced by buses for a number of hours while police dealt with the incident.
The line is now clear, though Northern said delays to services could last “for some time due to displaced trains and crew”.
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Police find man who went missing from Harrogate hospital
Police have confirmed a man who went missing from a hospital in Harrogate has been found.
The man was reported missing from the hospital on Ripon Road on the morning of Wednesday, August 9.
He was last seen walking towards Parliament Street.
In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said it was thought he may have been in West Yorkshire or heading towards the Burnley area.
Officers urged the public to dial 999 immediately if they saw the man and not to make any contact or approach him.
However, on Wednesday evening, they confirmed he had been located safe and well, and thanked everyone who had shared the appeal.
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- Police seek help over spate of vandalism on cars in Ripon
Inquest opens into death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert
An inquest opened today into the death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert, who went missing for five days in June.
Ms Lambert, 22, left her home in Starbeck on June 16. Hundreds of people took part in searches to find her.
North Yorkshire Police also launched a missing person search, which included helicopters, drones and dogs and was supported by mountain and underwater rescue teams.
Her body was found in the River Nidd near Lands Lane, Knaresborough, by a member of the public five days later.
Catherine Cundy, area coroner for North Yorkshire, opened an inquest into Ms Lambert’s death at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.
She confirmed Ms Lambert was certified dead on June 21, 2023.
Ms Cundy added that a provisional cause of death of “drowning by immersion in fresh water” has been reported.
The hearing was adjourned to a date to be confirmed when a full inquest will take place.
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- White horses to carry Harrogate’s Sophie Lambert on her final journey
- Police investigating after man dies on building site in Ripon village