Concern over North Yorkshire Police’s decision not to attend all mental health call-outs

North Yorkshire Council has said it will ensure “suitable provision” is in place for authority-run services amid concern over police no longer attending all mental health call outs.

The government published an agreement with police and NHS this past week, which said forces would no longer attend callouts unless there was a “risk to life”.

The new approach aims to free up force time in order that those experiencing a mental health crisis are “treated by the most appropriate agency”.

However, the initiative has been met by concern with some council officials pointing out that some mental health services are already under pressure.

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire Council’s adult care director, said that while the scheme, called Right Care Right Person, had “good elements” to it, it seemed to ignore the challenges that NHS services face.

In a post on his social media, he said:

“It seems to ignore the unprecedented challenges that many NHS mental health services are facing to deliver current services, let alone absorb more crisis work.”

2/3 local implementation. However, 3 key points for me: 1) it seems to ignore the unprecedentes challenges that many NHS #mentalhealth services are facing to deliver current services, let alone to absorb more crisis work, 2) it needs to engage with councils as a whole, not just https://t.co/RGC5oJTixv

— Richard Webb (@RichardWebbNY) July 28, 2023

He added that the scheme needed to “engage with councils as a whole” as there were implications for young people, housing and public health.

The Stray Ferret asked the council how this agreement would affect services run by the local authority.

In response, Abigail Barron, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director of prevention and service development, said:

“We are working closely with the police and health service partners to ensure that suitable provision is in place to support anyone experiencing a mental health issue.”


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North Yorkshire Police said it had been operating the Right Care Right Person approach since January.

The initiative itself was first devised by Humberside Police in 2019 and was later adopted by other forces across the country.

At the time, Mike Walker, assistant chief constable at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Our commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our communities is not changing and we will still attend where there is an immediate risk to life or a risk of serious harm.

“However, when agencies call us about issues which do not meet the threshold for police intervention under the Right Care, Right Person model, we will signpost them to the most appropriate service to take primacy.

“This puts the individual at the very heart of our decision making and means that a police officer is often not the right person to be providing this care.

“In some cases, we may need to deploy alongside medical or mental health workers where those agencies need to take primacy but there is still a risk to those involved.

“We realise this will mean some big changes for some of our partners, who have become used to calling us to help in these situations.

“That is why we have been working with mental health care providers, NHS representatives, local authorities and the ambulance service to let them know about our plans and give them plenty of time to make changes to the way they work.”

Police seek help into spate of vandalism on cars in Ripon

North Yorkshire Police is seeking assistance from the public following a spate of vandal attacks on vehicles in Ripon car parks and on residential streets.

Over the past week, cars have been deliberately damaged in the Cathedral and Morrisons car parks in the city, as well as on Quarry Moor Lane and Oak Road.

The vandalism, which has been reported on social media, has ranged from the smashing of windscreens to attacks on bodywork, windscreen wipers and mirrors.

Yesterday  (Sunday) members of the Harrogate Outer policing team were on Ripon Market Square to promote the North Yorkshire Community Messaging service and, while there, Sgt Jeff Peel, told the Stray Ferret:

“We’ve had a number of people who have given us information that may be helpful in our on-going investigations into the recent vandalism incidents.

“We would urge anybody else who feels they can help to contact us in confidence.”

Anybody with information about the attacks or other suspicious behaviour that that they have witnessed, can call 101 or report online via www.northyorkshire.police.uk.

The North Yorkshire Community Messaging service, provides another means for the public to help in the fight against crime and those who sign up for it will receive localised  email alerts about events, crime appeals and safety advice.


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Police defend decision to end Remembrance Day traffic management

North Yorkshire Police has defended its decision to stop providing Remembrance Day traffic management.

Thirty-two smaller Remembrance Day parades in the county will be affected annually from this year.

They include the one organised by Knaresborough Royal British Legion, whose vice-chair David Houlgate warned this week it could prevent the town’s annual parade going ahead.

Assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said it was a “difficult but lawful decision”, adding:

“Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, which placed the responsibility on the local authority and event organisers, the larger Remembrance Day events in our area have utilised traffic management companies to ensure public safety.

“However, for many years, North Yorkshire Police has continued to provide a traffic management function to the smaller Remembrance Day events.”

ACC Foskett said the force was acting on legislation as well as guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing that policing should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic, other than in an emergency.

He added:

“This is to make sure police resources remain focused on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

“With immediate effect, North Yorkshire Police has repositioned to fully comply and will not be undertaking routine traffic management for any Remembrance Day events in 2023 and in subsequent years.”


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ACC Foskett said police were “working closely with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council to assist the affected event organisers to put in place the necessary arrangements in time for November, including obtaining a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order”.

The senior police officer, who is also a forces veteran, added:

“The upset caused by this change is fully understandable, but it is categorically wrong to suggest North Yorkshire Police no longer supports Remembrance Day.

“We simply could not continue to act outside of the legislation and national police guidance.”

He said officers would still lay wreaths at services and were “proud to pay our respects as we have throughout our history”.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones said he was “surprised and disappointed” by the decision and has called for a rethink.

Classic car stolen while being repaired in Beckwithshaw

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for help finding a stolen MG Midget.

Police said in a statement:

“The red 1965 MG Midget, with registration number DUC 434C, is thought to have been stolen from Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw whilst being repaired at a garage in the period between July 2022 and July 2023.

“The last time the car was seen by the owner was July 2022.”

It urged anyone who has seen the vehicle, or knows where it is, to call the police on 101.

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

Quote reference number 12230139521.


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Andrew Jones MP urges police to continue Remembrance Day traffic management

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has called for police to continue providing traffic management for Remembrance Day parades.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed yesterday it will no longer close roads or manage traffic for Remembrance Day parades in the county.

Knaresborough Royal British Legion has said its annual parade along the High Street is in jeopardy as a result of the decision, which could threaten other local parades on November 12 and in subsequent years.

Elliot Foskett, North Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable, said the decision was based on national guidance that will allow police to focus on fighting crime.

Conservative MP Mr Jones today called for a rethink. He said:

“This decision from North Yorkshire Police has taken everyone by surprise. I am both surprised and disappointed.

“Every year in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Starbeck and further afield hundreds line the streets to watch parades to war memorials.  Simply put, it is part of the fabric and tradition of our community remembrance.

“I have contacted Zoë Metcalfe, police, fire and crime commissioner, asking her to speak with the leadership at North Yorkshire Police and reinstate the force’s assistance with closing roads to allow parades to take place.”

Lib Dem leader criticises ‘outrageous’ decision

Councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader in Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the police’s decision as “outrageous”.

She has also written to Conservative Ms Metcalfe.

Cllr Pat Marsh

Cllr Marsh’s letter says:

“This seems a ridiculous decision and I really hope you reverse it, nobody I have spoken to can understand the logic behind your decision.

“Please can you reconsider this so we can all pay our respects safely  to those who gave their lives for our freedom?

“How will we be able to pay our respects to those who gave their lives so we can live freely today? This proposal is outrageous and I wonder where else in the country that people are not bring kept safe as they pay their respects to these very brave individuals who gave their lives.”


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North Yorkshire Police confirms it will no longer manage Remembrance Day traffic

North Yorkshire Police has confirmed it will no longer close roads or manage traffic for Remembrance Day parades in North Yorkshire.

Knaresborough Royal British Legion revealed yesterday its annual parade was in jeopardy after police said they would no longer support it.

Vice-chair David Houlgate said the decision “almost certainly means there will be no Remembrance Day parade in Knaresborough as things currently stand” because the legion, as a charity, could not justify the cost incurred by managing traffic itself.

The force said today the ruling applied throughout the county and would enable it to focus on fighting crime.

In a joint letter from North Yorkshire Police and highways authority North Yorkshire Council, assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said the new arrangements would “be in place for 2023 and beyond”.

The letter, sent to branches of the Royal British Legion, added:

“For many years, North Yorkshire Police has continued to provide a traffic management function to smaller Remembrance Day events like the one held in your community.

“In line with the legislation, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing have stressed that policing should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic, other than in an emergency.

“This is to make sure police resources remain focused on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

“With immediate effect, North Yorkshire Police has repositioned to fully comply and will not be undertaking routine traffic management for any Remembrance Day events in 2023 and in subsequent years.”

Extra costs

The letter said organisations will now need a temporary traffic regulation order from North Yorkshire Council and will have to appoint “suitably qualified persons to implement associated traffic management i.e. signs and barriers etc”.

Those British legion branches affected now have to decide whether to go down this route or re-route or cancel parades.

Mike Comerford, chairman of the Harrogate Victory branch of the Royal British Legion said the police had not provided traffic management for its parade for many years.

Mr Comerford said the service had been provided recently by Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished at the end of March, and he would contact the successor authority, North Yorkshire Council, to see if this arrangement remained in place.

Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday parade is managed by members of the armed forces.


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Local Remembrance Sunday parades under threat after police withdraw traffic help

This year’s Remembrance Sunday parade in Knaresborough may not go ahead after police told organisers they could no longer provide traffic management.

David Houlgate, vice-chair of Knaresborough Royal British Legion, said the charity had been “rocked to the core” by the news.

A letter from the assistant chief constable of North Yorkshire Police told the legion it would no longer provide traffic management because the force needed to ensure it focused resources on tackling crime.

Mr Houlgate said:

“This immediately puts this year’s Remembrance Day parade’s at risk of being cancelled and future ones not happening too.”

It is unclear whether this will jeopardise other local Remembrance Sunday parades or other events which require police traffic management.

Remembrance Day Harrogate 2021

Will Harrogate’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations also be affected?

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police to clarify the situation. It said it was working on a statement about traffic management which would be forwarded on.

Mr Houlgate said:

“We were not expecting this and it is a major blow for the town.  There is of course a cost to providing our own traffic management provision so this decision by North Yorkshire Police almost certainly means there will be no Remembrance Day Parade in Knaresborough as things currently stand.

“And it is not just Knaresborough, it appears that North Yorkshire Police have made this decision right across the county.  We are devastated.”


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Mr Houlgate added:

“We are a charity and we are focused on raising funds to provide lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.  So even though every year we also lead the nation in commemorating and honouring those who have served and sacrificed, we cannot justify spending funds on traffic management.”

Remembrance Sunday commemorations in Knaresborough begin with a service at St John’s Church followed by the parade, which lasts about 20 minutes, to the war memorial in the Castle Yard.”

Mr Houlgate said:

“Apart from the covid lockdown this will be the first time in living memory the Remembrance Day parade will not happen here in Knaresborough unless there is a change of heart by North Yorkshire Police, which seems unlikely, or something else turns up.”

Police appeal after sexual assault in Harrogate

Police have appealed for witnesses after a sexual assault in Harrogate.

Officers said the incident happened at a pizza takeaway on lower Station Parade in Harrogate at 2.30am on Saturday, July 29.

A women was approached by a man who offered money for sex, tried to kiss her and then sexually assaulted her.

Police arrested a man in his 40s in relation to the allegation of sexual assault and he has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Officers would particularly like to speak with two men who were not involved but were in the pizza shop at the time the assault took place.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Michael.crawshaw@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Michael Crawshaw.

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

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230141013.”


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Motorbike stolen from Ripon garage

A motorbike was stolen from a garage in Ripon last weekend.

A thief or thieves forced entry by snapping the padlock and breaking the door fastenings.

They then made off with a black Honda VFR Cross-Runner 800 bike.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for information about the burglary, which happened on Oak Road, off Lead Lane on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

The force said in a statement:

“The motorcycle, with registration WN62 XKH, has not been recovered.

“If you see the stolen vehicle, know where it is, or have any information that may assist the investigation, such as CCTV or doorbell footage, please email gareth.skelton@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Gareth Skelton.”

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

Quote reference number 12230141793.


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Police launch investigation after PCSO assaulted in Knaresborough

Police have launched an investigation after a police community support officer was assaulted in Knaresborough.

The incident happened around 3pm on Tuesday (July 25) in Knaresborough Market Place.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police said they have arrested a young man in connection with the assault.

He has since been released on bail while enquiries are conducted.

A police statement added:

“Officers are appealing for witnesses or footage which could help with this investigation.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email holly.nicholls@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Holly Nicholls.

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

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230138428.”


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