Collision leaves traffic lights out of action on Station Parade

A van has collided with a traffic light at the junction of Station Parade and Victoria Avenue in Harrogate.

A white Peugeot van and a second vehicle were involved in the collision this morning, which has left the traffic lights out of action across the junction.

North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service are both on the scene.

A collision on Station Parade

Police officers are directing traffic and there is a short queue along Station Parade approaching the junction.

Traffic is unable to turn or continue into the eastern section of Victoria Avenue, towards Harrogate Baptist Church.

We will publish more information as we get it.

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Burglars steal high-value goods from Knaresborough new build estate

Police are appealing for information after a number of high-value goods were stolen from a new build housing estate in Knaresborough.

Criminals targeted two homes which had yet to be completed on Lapwing Crescent on the Trinity Fields development between December 18 and 19, 2022.

A washing machine, dishwasher, oven and two showers were among the items stolen from the properties.

The burglars also stole two kitchen taps, 12 kitchen handles, 12 kitchen plinth lights, 10 downlights and a cooker hood.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“As part of ongoing enquiries, officers are appealing for information about suspicious individuals or vehicles at around the time of the burglaries.

“Also, if anyone has been offered such items for sale since 19 December.

“If you can help, please 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.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220223539 when providing details.”

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Missing Ripon girl found

A missing girl from Ripon has been found, police have confirmed.

North Yorkshire Police has issued an urgent appeal to find the girl this morning.

However, the force confirmed she had since been found.

Officers thanked those who had shared the appeal on social media this morning.

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Searches continue for two men missing in Harrogate district since last year

Searches continue for two men who have been missing in the Harrogate district since last year.

Gavin Dhont, Ripon, and Jesus Moreno, Leeds, have both not been seen since late 2022.

Officers at both North Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Police have reissued appeals for any sightings of both men.

Mr Moreno, who worked at a Leeds brewery, has been missing for five months after last being seen in August 2022.

The brewer was spotted on CCTV catching a 36 bus from Leeds bus station at 6.10am on Monday, August 1.

He got off the bus at Swindon Lane near Dunkeswick, just north of Harewood bridge on the A61, at 6.39am. He was then seen on CCTV near the bridge at 8.14am.

Posters have been put up looking for missing man Jesus Moreno

Posters were put up in Harrogate looking for missing man Jesus Moreno.

However, searches of the area carried out by West Yorkshire Police have not resulted in any findings.

A force spokesperson told the Stray Ferret that Mr Moreno’s case remains “the subject of a high risk missing person investigation”.

They added:

“Officers from Leeds CID are continuing to support the family and give them a detailed overview of their enquiries so far.”

Anyone with information can call West Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference 13220422334.

Ripon man missing for more than a month

North Yorkshire Police has reiterated an appeal for any information on Gavin Dhont, who has been missing from Ripon for more than a month.

Mr Dhont was last seen in the city on Tuesday, December 6 and officers said they are extremely worried for his welfare.

Police have carried out searches for the 45-year-old, including the use of police dogs and the police drone, but with no gain.

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He is known to enjoys walks in areas including the Hell Wath, Studley Roger, Studley Royal Park and along the River Ure. He also enjoys visiting Ripon Wetlands.

North Yorkshire Police Inspector, Ed Rogerson, said:

“We’re really grateful to everyone who has been in touch to support our search and we’re asking the public once again to please keep your eyes peeled for any sightings. Every piece of information reported to us is really valuable so do get in touch by calling 101 if you can help.

“We know Gavin enjoys walking in the local area so if you are out and about, please keep Gavin in mind. Thank you.”

Mr Dhont is described as of thin build with short dark brown hair.

Anyone who has seen him since he went missing or who believes they know his whereabouts is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police as a matter of urgency on 101, or call 999 in an emergency and quote either his name or reference 12220219012.

Man jailed for indecent exposure at Harrogate Library

A Knaresborough man has been jailed after admitting committing indecent exposure at Harrogate Library and on Kingsley Drive.

Billy Wood, 30, of Windsor Lane, was charged with committing the offences in summer last year.

He also pleaded guilty to using abusive words with intent to cause fear of violence and two counts of possessing cannabis.

Wood appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court to be sentenced yesterday.

Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told the court the 30-year-old had been reported masturbating in front of staff in Harrogate Library on July 15, 2022.

The following month on August 11, a resident on Kingsley Drive saw a man wearing a white England football shirt across from his house in front of a neighbour’s property.

Reading the witness statement, Ms Tyrer said Wood had been sat on the garden wall and then walked across the driveway.

Wood then proceeded to masturbate in the street in front of the house, the court heard, and the resident called the police.

The witness said:

“I began to feel worried for my neighbour as I was aware she lived alone.”

After arresting Wood, police said the woman was informed of the incident and that she was unaware of his actions.

The 30-year-old was also found to be in possession of cannabis when taken to custody at Harrogate Police Station.

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Wood was also convicted of using threatening and abusive language towards bar staff in The Crown in Knaresborough in July 2022 after he was refused drinks, which staff suspected were being bought for customers who had already been refused them.

Police also found him to be in possession of cannabis after he was arrested on that night.

Sean Wilson, defending for Wood, told the court the 30-year-old had an undiagnosed mental health condition and that he was a drug user.

Mr Wilson said that the defendant had reduced his drug use and needed mental health support rather than a custodial sentence.

He said:

“He has reduced the amount of substances he has been taking. He does have an addictive personality.”

Mr Wilson added a prison sentence would be “more of a crash to his system” by removing access to drugs, but would not give him the mental health support he needed.

However, Magistrate Ms Allan sentenced Wood to 32 weeks in prison for the public exposure offences and a six-week sentence to be served concurrently for the threatening of violence charge.

She told Wood the sentence was “for the protection of the public”.

He was made to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and £85 in court costs.

Wood was also ordered to sign onto the sex offenders’ register for five years upon release.

North Yorkshire Police faces £8m in inflation costs

North Yorkshire Police faces additional costs of £8 million due to inflation this year.

At a meeting of North Yorkshire’s Police Fire and Crime Panel today, the commissioner’s office outlined how the force faced pressures due to rising utility bills, salaries and rising costs of supplies.

Michael Porter, the commissioner’s finance director, warned that even the maximum permitted council tax precept increase of £15 would not be enough to cover the figure.

He said:

“All of the options in front of us at this point in time leave us with a deficit or required savings target.

“Whether or not we go for a 1.99% increase, a £10 increase or a £15 increase.”

Mr Porter told the meeting that once investment in the force’s control room and extra recruitment was factored in on top of inflation, the police faced costs of £13.6 million.

The government has given police commissioners the power to increase the force’s share of council tax by £15 before a referendum has to be held.

A £15 hike in the police precept would be the equivalent of a 5.34% increase and see the force’s share of council tax rise to £296 for a band D property.

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But the commissioner’s office has estimated that the maximum precept increase would still leave around £4.7 million in savings required.

However, Mr Porter said that he was confident that the commissioner’s office had enough reserves to cover inflationary pressures next year.

He said:

“We do have an element of a reserve which is going to be specifically set aside next year for pay and inflationary pressures.

“I think it’s very important for us to have that so we don’t have to make any knee-jerk, in-year decisions and reductions.”

Conservative crime commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe, is expected to outline her budget plans for fire and police services in February.

The consultation into police and fire precepts closes on January 16, 2023. You can take part in the survey here.

Vandals damage Mercedes in Harrogate

Police are appealing for help after vandals damaged a Mercedes in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Alderson Road, off Leeds Road, shortly before 6.30am on Monday this week.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said two men in dark clothing approached the vehicle on foot from the Leeds Road junction. It added:

“One appears to have kept a look-out while the other damaged the windows of an unattended black Mercedes.

“North Yorkshire Police are requesting the public’s assistance to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, officers are asking a female jogger to get in touch. She was wearing a high-vis harness, and may have run past the offenders on Leeds Road immediately prior to the junction of Alderson Road.”

Police also want to contact the driver of a white pick-up truck — possibly a milk delivery vehicle — that pulled into Alderson Road as the damage was taking place.

Anyone else with information or dash cam footage is also asked to email peter.henderson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC 1668 Henderson.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230004592.

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Police commissioner given power to hike council tax by £15

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has been given the power to increase the police’s share of council tax by £15 this year.

Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative commissioner, is currently consulting on her budget plans for police and fire services for 2023.

The government has given commissioners the power to increase the force’s share of council tax by £15 before a referendum has to be held.

It has also set a £5 limit on the fire service precept.

A £15 hike in the police precept would be the equivalent of a 5.34% increase and see the force’s share of council tax rise to £296 for a band D property.

Ms Metcalfe has previously warned North Yorkshire Police needs £12 million in extra funding to tackle rising costs, including salary increases and rising cost of fuel and utilities.

She said previously:

“One of my roles is to set the precepts for North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, something every commissioner has to do every year.

“It is never easy asking for more money, and I know that many individuals and families are facing financial pressures, but our emergency services are also dealing with rising costs as they continue their vital work to keep us all safe.

“This year is particularly challenging as I have to balance the burden on taxpayers and the growing demands for services from our police and fire and rescue services, so it’s vital that I hear your views.”

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A £15 increase would see an additional £4.7 million in funding compared with last year’s precept level.

The commissioner’s office says the force has a budget of £191 million — 45% of which comes from council tax payers.

Meanwhile, a £5 increase for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue would equate to a 6.6% increase in its precept.

It would raise £1.5 million and “would lead to no reductions in planned levels of service delivery”, according to a report by the commissioner’s office.

Ms Metcalfe is expected to outline her budget plans for fire and police services in February 2023.

The consultation into police and fire precepts closes on January 16, 2023. You can take part in the survey here.

Photos show how Albanian drugs gang transformed Harrogate home into cannabis farm

Police photos have revealed the scale of a cannabis farm run by an Albanian drugs gang at a Harrogate home owned by landlady Yoko Banks.

Banks, 74, of Scargill Road, was constantly in touch with the drug conspirators but played no active part in the cultivation process.

She was jailed for three-and-a-half years in August 2021 after she admitted three counts of being concerned in the supply of cannabis

Last week she was ordered to repay over £142,333 of illegally earned money under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Leeds Crown Court.

The photos by North Yorkshire Police show how one of her homes on Alexandra Road, close to King’s Road, not far from Harrogate town centre, was completely transformed to cultivate the plants. Even the stairs were covered in cannabis.

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Detective Inspector Janine Mitchell, head of financial investigation at the constabulary, said today:

“The Proceeds of Crime Act allows us to deprive criminals of their illegal income. We will take every opportunity to use the legislation to its capacity to ensure no-one benefits from crime.

“In this case Banks had knowingly rented out high-end Harrogate properties to the organised crime gang in return for thousands of pounds in rental income.

“If you suspect anyone of living off illegally earned income, do not hesitate to call the police. If you don’t want to talk to us, you can report it to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

cannabis farm Harrogate Alexandra Rd Yoko Banks

Cannabis plants propped up in the house on Alexandra Road.

 

Yoko Banks

One of the rooms at the house.

 

Yoko Banks

The windows were blocked off to prevent people seeing inside.

 

Yoko Banks

The cannabis-covered stairs.

 

Yoko Banks

 

Yoko Banks

Police release CCTV after Ripon Rugby Club burglary

North Yorkshire Police has released a CCTV image of a man it wants to speak to following a burglary at Ripon Rugby Club.

The clubhouse was broken into at 10.47pm on December 18 and bottles of alcohol were stolen from the bar.

Officers today appealed to the public to get in touch if they recognise the man pictured or know where he can be found.

A statement from police added:

“Anyone with any information is asked to email paul.griffiths@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Paul Griffiths.

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

“Please quote reference number 12220223467 when passing on information.”

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