Harrogate police accused of incompetence over attack on cleaners’ car

The owner of a contract cleaning company in Harrogate has accused the police of being incompetent after a man smashed up his staff’s car.

David Whan, who did not want to say the name of his company for fear of being targeted, said a man, who appeared to be drunk, accused two staff members of hitting him with their car when they parked outside the office they were due to clean off Victoria Avenue on the evening of July 19.

The staff members denied hitting him and went into the empty office to clean it.

Mr Whan said the man then returned with an axe and a hammer and tried to break into the office to attack them.

The two cleaners, seeing him return, ran downstairs and locked the front door. When the man couldn’t get into the office, he started to attack their car.

The man smashed the car windows, lights and doors of the vehicle, causing thousands of pounds of damage. The cleaners called the police and the man ran off when they arrived.

Mr Whan told the Stray Ferret:

“Had that man hit anyone, he could certainly have killed them, such was the damage to the car and the force he used.”

Mr Whan said the two staff members gave the police a detailed description of the man and the officer said he thought he knew who it might be, even mentioning his first name.

However, they were later told that there was “insufficient evidence” and there was nothing more they could do.

Mr Whan told the Stray Ferret:

“I call this complete incompetence. I call it lazy policing. Why haven’t they checked for any CCTV? They had a very accurate description yet made no effort to follow it up.

“This means there is someone wandering around who’s done criminal damage and could have killed someone yet they’re doing nothing. How does that make my staff feel?

“I have staff working late at night and in empty offices who ought to feel safe. I can’t accept this, I am really cross.”

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Mr Whan has written to his MP, Andrew Jones, to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and to the chief constable, to get some answers.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said officers had checked for CCTV:

“Around 5.45pm on 19 July, officers were called to reports of a man being threatened by another man outside an address on South Park Road in Harrogate.

“Officers attended and took a description of the offender but following a search of the local area, no offender was located. CCTV enquiries were made and found no CCTV covering the location of the offence.

“With very limited further investigative opportunities, the incident was closed.

“When a crime is reported our officers will follow all available lines of enquiry to locate an offender or offenders, as well as providing safeguarding and support to victims.

“Unfortunately, if there are no further investigative opportunities then we cannot take any further action.”

 

Missing Masham girl found

A missing teenager from Masham has been found, police said today.

North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal yesterday morning to locate the girl, after she failed to return home the previous day.

It urged anyone with information to come forward.

This morning the force said the girl has been found.

We have consequently amended our website and social media posts to conceal her identity.

The 15-year old girl who went missing from Masham on Wednesday 3 August has been found.

Thanks to all who shared the appeal.

12220136810.

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) August 5, 2022

 

Police find missing Masham teenager

UPDATE: This article has been amended after the girl was found.

Police have found a missing teenager from Masham.

The girl failed to return home on Tuesday night, prompting officers to issue and appeal the following morning.

They said they were concerned for her welfare and urged the public to share any information on her whereabouts.

Police said on August 5 the girl has been found so we have removed her name from the article.

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Police release CCTV image after Ripon nightclub assault

North Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to after an assault outside a Ripon nightclub.

The incident happened outside Wonderland nightclub, North Street, at 2.30am on Friday, July 15.

The victim suffered facial injuries which required hospital treatment.

Officers have asked the public to get in touch if the recognise the man (pictured above) as they believe he may have information which can help with an investigation.

A police statement added:

“Anyone with any information is asked to email sarah.hargreaves@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Sarah Hargreaves.

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

Please quote reference number 12220122919 when passing on information.”

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Business group calls for more Harrogate town centre police

Officials at Harrogate Business Improvement District hope more officers will be put into the town centre after latest figures show 187 cases of anti-social behaviour were reported in the area.

Matthew Chapman, manager at the BID, said more police in the area would help to deter such crime.

It comes as the organisation last week launched its Report a Crime campaign, which encourages people to report instances of crime in the town centre.

Latest police figures show that within the force’s Harrogate Town area, which includes the town centre and outer areas, 187 reports of anti-social behaviour were made during May.

The number makes up 31% of all crime reported.

A total of 602 crimes were reported during the month, which also includes 57 instances of criminal damage and 26 reports of shoplifting.

Mr Chapman told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate isn’t immune from criminal activity and antisocial behaviour, however, it is a lot safer, cleaner, and more welcoming than many other towns and cities in the UK – and this is something Harrogate BID is doing its upmost to maintain.

“Last week, we launched our Report a Crime campaign, where we are urging businesses, residents and visitors to contact the police via the online reporting system if they witness a crime, or a victim of it.

“Senior Harrogate police officers tell us there are no issues and resources are needed elsewhere, but these figures contradict that view. I hope they will now look again and increase uniformed patrols in and around the town centre, which will have a double effect – that of reassurance and other deterrence.”

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The campaign to report more crime comes as the BID said police statistics did not match what businesses were telling them on the ground.

The kind of crimes being seen by retailers included anti-social behaviour, often linked to drinking, and what’s termed ‘professional begging’.

The new campaign is being backed by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, whose chief executive David Simister said:

“Harrogate is a fantastic town to live and work, but when it comes to crime it’s not immune.

“It’s important we get a proper understanding of what is happening – or not happening – in our town centre, hence us giving our backing to this campaign.

“In the past I’ve called 101 and after waiting many minutes I’ve simply put the phone down. And by doing this, an incident has gone unreported. In future, report it online and that way it is logged and recorded.”

To report a crime in Harrogate Town centre, visit the North Yorkshire Police website.

Man arrested after shop worker allegedly assaulted in Harrogate

A man has been arrested after reports that a member of staff at a shop in the town centre was assaulted last night.

Police were called to Cambridge Street at 9pm after being told a man had stolen alcohol from a shop and threatened and assaulted a member of staff.

A statement by North Yorkshire Police today said:

“Officers quickly located a suspect nearby and arrested him on suspicion of assault, theft, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.

“The man, who is in his 30s, currently remains in custody and the investigation is ongoing.”

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Four teens arrested after burglary in Spofforth

Police have arrested four teenagers after a burglary in Spofforth.

Officers were called to the village after reports of a break-in at a house in the early hours of this morning.

Three 16-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of burglary and a 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary.

A North Yorkshire Police statement this afternoon confirmed that all four remain in custody and an investigation is ongoing.

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Police warn of increase in house and car thefts in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police has urged people in the Harrogate area to be vigilant after an increase in house and car thefts.

The constabulary issued the alert this morning, saying the number of incidents had risen “over the last few weeks”.

No further details were released.

In a post on social media, the police added:

“Please ensure you keep your homes and vehicles secure.”

Over the last few weeks there has been an increase of theft from insecure vehicles and homes across the Harrogate area. Please ensure you keep your homes and vehicles secure. If you have any information on these crimes call NYP on 101 or crime stoppers anonymously on 0800555111

— North Yorkshire Police – Harrogate (@NYP_Harrogate) July 29, 2022

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Two men arrested after police pursuit in Ripon

Two men has been arrested following a police pursuit through Ripon.

Officers pursued a black 4×4 Hyundai after it failed to stop on Marshall Way in the city at 11.30pm last night.

The car stopped after a short pursuit and officers arrested one man, but several other men fled.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added that officers and specialist search teams, including the NPAS helicopter, remained in the area to locate the men.

Another man was arrested following a search of the area.

A police statement added:

“The Hyundai is suspected stolen and was seized by officers. A number of items were seized from the vehicle, as well as those which were thrown out during the pursuit, which are also suspected stolen property.

“A man in his 30’s was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop and going equipped for burglary.

“A man in his 20’s was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, failing to stop and going equipped for theft.

“Both men remain in police custody at this time.”

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Contactless donation points for homeless could come to Knaresborough and Ripon

Contactless donation points which raise money for projects to tackle homelessness could come to Knaresborough and Ripon under an expansion of the Harrogate Street Aid scheme.

Street Aid was the first project of its kind in Yorkshire when it launched in 2019 and it has since raised over £20,000.

Three tap terminals have opened in Harrogate town centre and now more could be introduced in Knaresborough and Ripon.

It is a joint project from North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Homeless Project and Harrogate Borough Council, which is looking into possible new donation points.

Helen Richardson, community safety officer at the council, said the money raised so far was having a positive impact on tackling begging and rough sleeping, and that there was now an opportunity to expand.

She wrote in a report:

“The number of reported incidents of street sleepers and begging has reduced in the time Harrogate Street Aid has been in existence.

“Street Aid continues to give a focus for agencies to work together to support those street sleeping and begging, and a reduction has been visible – particularly with regard to anti-social behaviour in Harrogate town centre.

“There has been much positive feedback and we can continue to work together to support those on the street or with a history of street sleeping.”

Why it started

Street Aid was introduced after the number of people begging in Harrogate town centre increased and residents became concerned.

It was based on schemes in Cambridge and Norwich which saw similar problems on the streets.

Donations made through the tap terminals are not given directly to homeless people, but instead made available for things like training courses, gym memberships and work equipment.

To highlight the project’s success, the council previously shared stories of how the money has helped individuals.

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One homeless man who was mugged and had his driving licence stolen was awarded a £350 grant to get his replacement licence and take a refresher forklift truck course to start his journey back into work.

Another individual who had a history of breaking into shops and substance misuse told probation officers that being able to access the local leisure centre would help him get in a better routine.

He was granted £500 for a leisure centre membership, training sessions and a voucher for equipment and clothing.

Three other homeless people were given £300 each for computer tablets to apply for jobs, maintain their benefits and stay in touch with family.

Councillor Mike Chambers, cabinet member for housing and safer communities at the council, previously said:

“Harrogate District Street Aid is about making a real change to people who find themselves on the street.

“Some people assume that giving a few pounds to a beggar is helping them.

“Sadly, in some instances it may actually keep them on the street.

“Through Harrogate District Street Aid, we can work with our partner organisations to make best use of the money that has been kindly donated, work with homeless people and make a real difference to their lives.”