Rough sleepers return to Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

A group of rough sleepers has repeatedly returned to Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens – just days after being moved on.

The group’s two-week occupation of the pavilion in the gardens sparked concerns about anti-social-behaviour.

It was finally dispersed by North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police on Friday last week.

However, the group returned on Sunday evening — and again this morning.

Nearby resident Kirk Wilber-Moran said:

“They came back Sunday night but were moved on early yesterday morning.

“However, they came back again this morning and not just in the bandstand — three were stood in an empty shop doorway drinking cider at 6.45am this morning.

“There’s roughly 10 people, some I have seen previously but some new faces too. They’ve not managed to establish a full set-up like before.”

The rough sleepers were removed again this morning.

The Stray Ferret first reported the encampment two weeks ago after residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and a lack of action from the council and police.

Following the move-on operation, residents also wanted to know what measures would be taken to resolve similar situations in the future.

The Stray Ferret has asked the council what measures it has taken to prevent repeat occupations.

Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director of housing, said this morning:

“We worked with the police last week to ensure that advice and support was offered to all the individuals who were congregating in the Crescent Gardens.

“It’s important to note that not all of these individuals are homeless or rough sleepers, however, offers of support and accommodation were made to all those who needed it. We understand that despite being encouraged to move on by the police a number of people have returned to the area.

“We will continue to work with all agencies to find solutions to this issue.”

North Yorkshire Police declined to add to a statement it gave last week, which described the situation as “complex” and said it was working with partners and residents to find a solution for everyone.

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North Yorkshire chief constable announces retirement

The chief constable of North Yorkshire Police has announced she will retire after more than 30 years in uniform. 

Lisa Winward will step down from the £154,000-a-year role at the end of March 2024; her successor has yet to be named. 

She said she was “immensely proud to have been a police officer and public servant for 30 years”, adding:

“It was a very difficult decision to make but I feel that the time is right for me to retire.

“I will still be here for several months and look forward to saying goodbyes in person to as many people as possible who I have had the privilege to meet during my time in policing.”

Chief constable Winward began her policing journey as a volunteer special constable in York.

Following service through the ranks of constable through to chief inspector for Humberside Police, Lisa resumed her service to North Yorkshire in 2008, serving the City of York as chief inspector, superintendent and commander between 2009 and 2013. 

She has served in key roles at the heart of North Yorkshire Police including executive officer to the then-chief constable, head of uniformed operations, major crime, specialist operations, criminal justice, and force intelligence.

After leading the local policing portfolio as assistant chief constable throughout 2016, in February 2017 she became deputy chief constable at North Yorkshire Police. In August 2018, she was confirmed as chief constable. 

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A statement issued by North Yorkshire Police said: 

“Her vision and passion for understanding and addressing the root causes of crime and disorder in communities has been a hallmark of her tenure as chief, positioning North Yorkshire Police to play its part in early intervention, and working seamlessly with partner organisations to help the residents of York and North Yorkshire be safe and feel safe.” 

Chief constable Winward is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy development programme in leadership and policing, and during her time as a chief officer has been the lead on a number of national portfolios, including citizens in policing, women’s health, and menopause. She is a trustee for the Police Treatment Centre and the chair of the British Police Symphony Orchestra. She currently leads for the National Police Chiefs’ Council on intelligence, local policing and senior assessment, and in 2022 was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished policing service. 

Paying tribute, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe said: 

“Her dedication of over 30 years of public service and collaboration has shone through whilst serving as a leader here at North Yorkshire Police and I feel privileged to have spent time working alongside such a remarkable individual.

“I know all of us here in York and North Yorkshire wish Lisa well in her future plans.”

Rough sleepers evicted from Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

A group of rough sleepers in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens has been evicted this morning after occupying the pavilion for two weeks.

Representatives from North Yorkshire Council‘s property services division and North Yorkshire Police began the move-on operation just before 9am this morning.

The council also brought a van to gather the rough sleepers’ belongings.

One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said some people started arguing with the council after they were told to disperse but there was no violence.

He added:

“One or two sleepers appeared frustrated and declined to cooperate, but they eventually started packing and leaving from 9.15am.

“The police were present to ensure the operation was non-violent.”

The operation ended at approximately 9.40am.

Larger items, such as mattresses, were removed by the council.

The Stray Ferret first reported the encampment after nearby residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour last week.

One of those residents, Eileen Dockray, said after today’s developments:

“I’m now concerned that the police and the council, who both tried to pass this problem back and forth between each other, should now come together and work out who’s responsible for dealing with this sort of problem in the future.

“We, the public, also need to know who we can go to for help when a situation like this arises again, as it surely will.”

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Police officer bumps into shoplifting suspect in Knaresborough McDonalds toilets

A police officer bumped into a suspected shoplifter when he used the toilets at McDonald’s in Knaresborough today.

The roads policing officer was on routine patrol at St James Retail Park when he and colleagues were alerted to a theft at a nearby store just before 1pm.

Three suspects were detained within five minutes after a member of the public directed officers to four people running from the store.

Police at the scene today.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“There was one outstanding suspect and extensive police resource which included a police dog unit, roads policing officers and response officers were sent to the area.

“One of the officers who was assigned to the search needed to use the bathroom, so he made a quick trip into the nearby McDonalds.

“The officer couldn’t believe his luck when he walked in and spotted a person who matched the description of the outstanding suspect.”

Two men in their 20s, a 19-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and are currently in police custody.

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No resolution in sight for rough sleeping den in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

The occupation of the pavilion in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens by a group of rough sleepers shows no sign of ending.

The rough sleepers, who have refused offers of accommodation, have been living in the pavilion for 12 days.

The Stray Ferret first reported concerns about anti-social behaviour last week.

Nearby residents continue to express frustration while police and council officers say resolving the situation is complex.

North Yorkshire Council told the Stray Ferret last week the people in the pavilion had been “offered accommodation daily”.

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

“We continue to work with our partners to tackle this complicated issue.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police, which had not previously commented, said:

“Local officers and PCSOs have attended the location regularly and will continue to engage with the individuals going forward.

“Homelessness is a complex issue that requires the input of a number of local partners to resolve.

“We are committed to working jointly with partners, local businesses, and residents to find a solution for everyone involved.”

Nearby residents remain frustrated by the apparent stalemate.

Kirk Wilber-Moran, who wrote a letter to us expressing his concern last weekend, said this morning:

“Whilst the amount of people there has reduced the armoury of belongings and/or rubbish has doubled, if not tripled, since the weekend.

“We still have people using the bandstand as a hangout base to congregate and drink and are there into the late evening. Still lots of noise and yesterday a woman aggressively shouting at people walking through the gardens.

“Nothing seems to be happening and no one seems to care as it’s not on their doorstep.”

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Woman sexually assaulted and punched in Harrogate bar

A woman was sexually assaulted, punched and had her hair ripped out in a Harrogate bar on Saturday night.

A man was also headbutted and punched repeatedly in the incident, which happened in Mojo on Parliament Street at about 3am.

Police issued CCTV images of two men they wanted to speak to following what officers described as “a serious assault and sexual assault”.

Officers have since confirmed that the men were identified.

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Police release CCTV image after Harrogate bar assault

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after an assault in Harrogate.

The incident happened at Montey’s Bar, The Ginnel, at 1am on Sunday, September 3.

Officers said it involved a man being assaulted with glass, causing injury to his face.

The victim was taken to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

A statement from North Yorkshire Police said:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the man in the image as they believe they could have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk or call us on 101, select option 2 and ask for Sam Clarke.

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

“Please quote our reference number 12230166084 when passing on information.”

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Harrogate streets closed for hours due to man on roof

Police closed several Harrogate town centre streets last night for several hours when a distressed man climbed on to a roof.

The man was on top of the Linley and Simpson building at the junction of Princes Square and Albert Street fro about 6.30pm until midnight.

Both streets were cordoned off, as were some other nearby routes, including James Street.

Police in Princes Square.

Crowds gathered in Princes Square and elsewhere last night.

North Yorkshire Police eventually published a social media post saying “our officers are currently speaking to a person in distress in Harrogate town centre” and urged people to avoid the area.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said it responded at 6.32pm. It added:

“Harrogate crew assisted police with a male who had climbed on the roof of a property and refused to come down.”

Albert Street was among the streets blocked off.

The police cordons prevented people from visiting numerous hospitality businesses on a busy Friday night.

Some people were allowed to cross the cordons at certain point to enter restaurants but others closer to the incident were not.

In a social media post this morning, North Yorkshire Police said:

“Thank you for your patience while we dealt with a man on the roof of Harrogate town centre buildings overnight.
“He came down at around midnight and was taken into custody.”

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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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