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.
Read more:
- Homelessness ‘significantly increased’ amid cost of living crisis, says Harrogate council official
- Homelessness in Harrogate — what’s the best way to help?
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:
Memorial stone unveiled in honour of murdered Harrogate police officer“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.”
A memorial stone was unveiled this morning in honour of Harrogate police officer David Haigh, who was murdered on duty in 1982.
Father-of-three PC Haigh, 29, was shot by Barry Prudom at Norwood Edge car park in Stainburn Forest.
Prudom went on the run and killed two more people before turning the gun on himself 17 days later after Britain’s biggest ever manhunt, which involved 4,000 police officers.
PC David Haigh was just 29 when he was murdered.
Family members, who return to the site annually to lay a wreath, told the Stray Ferret last year they were in discussions with the Police Memorial Trust, a charity that erects memorials to British police officers killed in the line of duty.
Those discussions finally bore fruit today and numerous relatives, including PC Haigh’s widow Annette Jakes, children, grandchildren and brother, attended the ceremony. Many still live locally.
Geraldine Winner, the widow of film-maker Michael Winner, unveiled the stone at the spot where PC Haigh is believed to have fallen.
Mr Winner founded the Police Memorial Trust, which has now created 57 memorials to officers killed in the line of duty.
Family and representatives of North Yorkshire Police and the Police Memorial Trust at today’s ceremony.
A 58th is due to be unveiled tomorrow in honour of sergeant David Winter, 31, who was shot during the search for PC Haigh’s killer.
North Yorkshire Police representatives, including chief superintendent Catherine Clarke, were also in attendance.
Ms Jakes told the Stray Ferret the memorial “has been a long time coming” but she was delighted PC Haigh’s sacrifice had now been formally recognised.
Youngest son Richard Haigh said:
“I’m really pleased that after all these years we finally have somewhere where we can come and reflect and think about dad.
“It’s somewhere for everyone to see what he sacrificed — how he went to work and never came home.”
A QR code on the memorial stone takes phone users to a page on the Police Memorial Trust website that gives information about PC Haigh.
The memorial stone is situated where PC Haigh lost his life.
You can watch a video of the stone being unveiled on our Facebook page here.
Read more:
- Family of murdered Harrogate policeman seeks permanent memorial
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Police release CCTV images after criminal damage in Harrogate
Police have released two CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to following criminal damage to a Harrogate building.
The incident took place on Mount Parade in the town centre at 1.30am on Thursday, August 9.
It involved damage to a block of flats.
North Yorkshire Police has asked members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images, as it believes they will have information that will help the investigation.
The force said in a statement:
“Anyone with information is asked to email mark.burrows@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC 296 Mark Burrows.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Quote reference number 12230149604.”
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Police name victims of fatal A61 crash near Ripon
The victims of a fatal crash on the A61 near Ripon have been named by police.
Daria Bartienieva, 35, her son, Ihor Bartienieva, aged 6, and Daria’s step-daughter, Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, died after a three-vehicle crash that involved a double decker bus on Ripon Road near South Stainley at 2.20pm on Sunday (September 3).
It was the second fatal collision on the road between Ripon and Harrogate on consecutive weekends.
A North Yorkshire Police statement this afternoon added:
“All three were from Ukraine and living in Ripon, North Yorkshire, at the time of the collision.
“Our thoughts are with their family members in the UK and Ukraine at this time.”
Holy Trinity Church in Ripon was open this afternoon for people to say prayers and light candles for the victims of the crash.
The church said in a post online:
“A space has been created where people can sit quietly, light a candle and write in a condolence book.
“There will be someone available to pray with you if you would like this.
“If you do come please keep quiet at this sensitive time.”
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Police release CCTV image after Bilton-in-Ainsty church theft
Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to after historic items were stolen from a church in Bilton-in-Ainsty.
Officers said the items have been located after the force issued an appeal to find them in July.
The artefacts have since been returned to their rightful owner.
Now, North Yorkshire Police has issued a CCTV image of a man they would look to speak to in connection with the incident.
A force statement added:
“Officers investigating the theft have also now issued CCTV stills of a man they would like to speak to, as he may have important information that could assist their ongoing enquiries.
“If you recognise him, or have any information about the theft, please email sophie.hodgson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 1787 Hodgson. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12230134302 when passing on information.”
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- Police warn of spate of sneak-in burglaries in Ripon
Man wanted after woman’s purse stolen in local supermarket
Police have issued a photo of a man they want to talk to after a purse was stolen from a woman in her 80s.
In a statement issued today, North Yorkshire Police said the theft happened at Morrisons supermarket on Harrogate Road in Ripon.
The incident happened at 3.30pm on Thursday, August 3. However, the images have only been released today.
Do you recognise this man?
The statement said:
“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the man in the CCTV images, as he may have information that will help the investigation.”
Morrisons in Ripon
Anyone with information is urged to email richard.coulthard@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Richard Coulthard.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference number 12230144835.
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- Two children and woman killed in collision between Ripon and Harrogate
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