Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to after an attempted arson in Pateley Bridge.
Officers say the incident happened between 1.45am and 2.45am on Sunday (May 14) at the Dales Market Corner petrol station in the town.
Two men walked onto the forecourt, placed a backpack in the area and set it alight. The backpack then self-extinguished.
Yesterday afternoon, officers arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. He was interviewed and later released on conditional bail.
North Yorkshire Police has now appealed for the public to help with further information which may assist with the ongoing investigation.
Jill Cowling, detective inspector from Harrogate CID, said:
“We’re treating this incident as deliberate, and enquiries are continuing. Thankfully no one was injured, but we will be increasing police activity in the area to provide additional reassurance to the public.
“As part of the ongoing police investigation I’m now appealing for people to come forward about any suspicious activity at the location on the night of Saturday 13 and in the early hours of Sunday 14 May 2023.”
Anyone with any information is asked to email Jill.Cowling@northyorkshire.police.uk or you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Jill Cowling.
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Second knife amnesty bin installed in Harrogate
A second knife amnesty bins is being installed in Harrogate this week as part of a national police action week.
The town already has a permanent knife bin between Asda car park and Dragon Road car park to encourage people to safely get rid of potentially lethal weapons.
But a second amnesty bin is being put at Harrogate Police Station on Beckwith Head Road this week.
Bins are being installed in police stations in Harrogate, York, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton and Skipton as part of the ‘save a life – bin a knife’ national police campaign running from today until Sunday.
Police will also be educating young people this week about the dangers of knife crime as well as carrying out high-visibility patrols, stop and searches and other enforcement activity in areas linked to possible knife crime.
A North Yorkshire Police press release today said:
“Simply wrap an unwanted knife in thick paper or cardboard as a safety precaution, and bring it directly to one of the locations.
“You do not have to give your name or any other details – just drop it in the clearly-marked bin.
“The aim of the bins is not only to reduce knife crime, but also give reassurance to people who simply want to dispose of unwanted knives and sharp objects – such as old kitchen knives, or unused work tools – safely and securely.”
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Detective Superintendent Andrea Kell, of North Yorkshire Police, said:
Body recovered from River Nidd at Bilton“Every knife placed in an amnesty bin is one less knife that could be used as a lethal weapon on the streets. That’s why I’m urging everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of them this week.”
Police have recovered the body of a local woman from the River Nidd, near Bilton viaduct.
Concerns were raised about the woman, who is aged in her 40s, this morning.
An urgent missing person investigation was launched which included searches in and around the River Nidd at the location.
The woman’s body was recovered by the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Marine and Underwater Search Unit at around 1.20pm. She has not been named.
The bridge was closed while the body was recovered. A North Yorkshire Police statement said:
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be submitted to the coroner in due course.
“The woman’s family are being supported by the police.”
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Nude ban to remain at Turkish Baths Harrogate
Turkish Baths Harrogate has permanently banned nude bathing.
The Victorian venue, run by North Yorkshire Council’s leisure company Brimhams Active, operated two weekly single sex clothing-optional sessions until March.
But swimwear was then made compulsory for all sessions following what the council described as a “serious” police complaint.
No further details have been revealed about the incident and North Yorkshire Police today repeated its statement that “enquiries are ongoing”.
However, a regular customer contacted the Stray Ferret yesterday after receiving an email from the baths informing him the ban would remain.
Katie Summersall, Turkish Baths manager, today confirmed the news. She said:
“Brimhams Active’s priority is to safeguard and protect the wellbeing of staff and customers.
“A management decision has been made that swimwear is to be compulsory at all public bathing sessions.”
The customer, who asked not to be named, regularly attended the clothing-optional male sessions, where he said the majority of people found clothes uncomfortable.
He said:
“I suspect there was never any intention to restore the old policy, and — perhaps cynically — wonder if the complaint and investigation contained an element of convenient prefabrication.”
North Yorkshire Council took control of the baths on April 1 when Harrogate Borough Council was abolished.
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Driver banned after failing to stop at serious crash in Harrogate
A man has been banned from driving after failing to stop and report a serious crash on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.
Harris Hendry-Hussain, of Swinton Court, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to three offences in relation to the crash in the early hours of March 6 last year.
The 21-year-old crashed his Volkswagen Golf into two cars, a Seat Ibiza and a Peugeot, causing “substantial damage” to both vehicles.
The crash blocked Cold Bath Road at 3.10am and left one passenger of the Volkswagen requiring hospital treatment for neck and back injuries.
In a statement at the time, North Yorkshire Police said it was “sheer luck” no one died.
Hendry-Hussain appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentencing yesterday after admitting driving without insurance, failing to stop after a road accident and failing to report the accident.
The prosecution told the court that when police arrived at the crash on the morning of March 6, Hendry-Hussain was not at the scene.
Once he was found by officers and interviewed, he initially told police that he “did not know who was driving” the Volkswagen.
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The court heard that, after a forensic investigation of the car, officers interviewed the 21-year-old for a second time. He declined to comment.
He was later charged with three offences. Hendry-Hussain initially denied the charges, but later changed his plea at a hearing on April 24.
His defence told the court that Hendry-Hussain had “accepted the offences” put to him and that he had “done something really stupid”.
The court also heard that the defendant was already serving a community order for a separate offence, which was imposed by the courts after the crash.
Magistrates banned Hendry-Hussain from driving for 12 months.
He was given a 12-month community order requiring him to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and £150 in court costs.
Delay in police plan to move into Ripon Town HallNorth Yorkshire Police’s planned move into Ripon Town Hall has been delayed with no date in place for when it might happen.
In February, the office for Zoe Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), said refurbishment of space in the town hall was already under way to give officers more of a presence in the city centre.
However, this was questioned by Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams who told the Local Democracy Reporting Service in April that work was yet to begin.
The works will cost North Yorkshire Police £91,000 and will see a public consultation room, an office and a break out room added for officers to use.
A spokesman for the PFCC confirmed that work at the town hall had not started and blamed the changes in local government for the delay.
Harrogate Borough Council owned the building until April 1 when it was handed to the new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council. The spokesman said:
“I can confirm that there has been a slight delay in the schedule for the local policing team moving into Ripon Town Hall.
“This has been due to the change in local government structure where the local agreement to occupy space in Ripon Town Hall made with Harrogate Borough Council, now needs to be signed off by the new North Yorkshire Council.”
North Yorkshire Council was also unable to say when works will begin. The council’s corporate director of resources, Gary Fielding, said:
“We are continuing to work with North Yorkshire Police and Ripon City Council regarding the future of Ripon Town Hall over how to best serve the needs of local residents.”
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Covid vaccine banners stolen from Pateley Bridge
Two large banners advertising covid booster vaccinations have been pulled down and stolen from Pateley Bridge.
The banners were attached to the walls outside Pateley Bridge Pharmacy on the town’s High Street and outside Pateley Bridge and Bewerley Memorial Hall on Park Road.
Both banners advertised vaccines at the pharmacy, which has been at the forefront of the local covid campaign.
The banner attached to the pharmacy.
North Yorkshire Police today appealed for information about the thefts, which occurred overnight on either Monday or Tuesday last week.
It did not comment on the possible reasons for the theft.
The banner attached to the Memorial Hall.
The banners were bright yellow and measured approximately 1 metre x 2 metres.
Police said:
“Anybody with information about this crime can email bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk, call 101, or report on-line at www.northyorkshire.police.uk. Please quote reference 12230080065.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555 111 or online at the Crimestoppers website.”
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Police launch investigation after cat shot dead in Harrogate
Police in Harrogate are appealing for witnesses and information after a cat was shot dead.
North Yorkshire Police said today the shooting happened in the Newby Crescent area of Jennyfields at around 9.05pm on Friday last week.
The force said in a statement:
“Timmy the cat was found dead by a neighbour. It is believed he had been shot with an air rifle or pellet gun.
“Understandably, Timmy’s family have been left deeply distressed following the incident.
“We’re appealing for information about anyone living locally who owns an air rifle or pellet gun, or anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident.”
To help the investigation, email Jacob.higgins@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Jacob Higgins.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230080606 when providing details.
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Police warning over spate of moped thefts in Harrogate district
Police have issued a warning today over a recent spate of moped and motorcycle thefts in the Harrogate district.
North Yorkshire Police said the area had seen a “spike” in thefts, particularly of mopeds.
The force added mopeds had often been taken without keys, with secure locks being cut off.
In a statement, police said:
“Our area has seen a recent spike in the theft of motorcycles, predominantly mopeds.
“Often these are being taken without keys, with secure locks cut off before being driven around then discarded.
“Please take extra care when securing motorcycles, and preferably keep them out of sight. If you have any information about the thefts, please call us on 101, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.”
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North Yorkshire Police also issued an appeal today over a spate of bike thefts in Harrogate.
The force continues to investigate the thefts, which happened on Saturday, April 8.
Police released a 50-year-old man on conditional bail in connection with the incident.
Missing Harrogate woman found safe after four daysA Harrogate woman has been found safe after going missing for four days.
North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal for the 56-year-old female on Friday last week. It said she had not been seen since the previous day and officers were “extremely concerned for her welfare”.
This morning the police said the woman had been found safe yesterday.
We have consequently updated our coverage to remove the woman’s personal details.
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