Police in Harrogate have made six arrests – including a 15-year-old boy – during a national week of action to target County Lines drug dealing.
North Yorkshire Police made a total of 26 arrests across the county, seizing cash, suspected drugs, mobile phones and weapons including two machetes, three samurai swords, two knuckledusters and a pistol.
The week of action took place from Monday, October 9 to Sunday 15 and was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre.
Across the county, officers executed 14 warrants, seized over £70,000 in cash suspected to be linked to criminality, as well as several class A, B and C drugs, including 1-2 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £70,000 from one vehicle in Scarborough.
Teams from across the force carried out proactive enforcement against people with suspected links to drugs offences, as well as patrols at rail and bus stations with a specialist drugs dog.
A plain-clothes police officer on a County Lines drugs raid.
Harrogate arrests
In Harrogate, the County Lines Intensification Week saw five incidents result in arrests.
In one, police stopped a vehicle on Cheltenham Parade and searched a 24-year-old man. They found 10 bags of compressed white powder, a knuckleduster, scales, cash and four mobile phones. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class-A drug, interviewed and released under investigation.
In a separate incident, officers from the force’s Expedite Team witnessed a suspected drug deal taking place on Albany Avenue in Harrogate and arrested a 27-year-old man for being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug. He was interviewed and released under investigation.
British Transport Police arrested a 15-year-old boy for theft and being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug and a class-B drug. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug and class-B drug. Both were released on conditional bail.
Acting on a tip-off, North Yorkshire Police investigated suspicious activity taking place at a property linked to the supply of drugs. They searched a 36-year-old man and found class-A drugs, scales and a mobile phone.
The man was ultimately charged with eight offences relating to the possession and supply of cocaine, heroin and cannabis and remanded in custody to appear at York Magistrates’ Court.
Finally, officers from the force’s Operation Expedite team stopped a vehicle on Church Lane in Harrogate that had been identified as being linked to drug supply. They arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of drug driving and entering the UK illegally. He was released under investigation for the driving offence and passed to immigration officials to be dealt with.
Safeguarding
County Lines takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to communicate between towns and advertise drugs for sale. Vulnerable people – including children – are forced to deal drugs and dealers will often use local properties as a base for their activities; this is often acquired by force and referred to as ‘cuckooing’.
As part of the week of action, proactive safeguarding and welfare checks were conducted at hotels and bed and breakfasts where vulnerable people are known to be living. In total, officers safeguarded 73 people who are known or suspected to be vulnerable to county lines exploitation.
The force also held County Lines drop-in stalls in public areas for engagement within communities and members of the public.
Read more:
- Police seize £100,000 cash in crackdown on Harrogate ‘county lines’; drug dealing
- Police arrest five in Harrogate as part of national county lines action
- 18 charged with county lines drug dealing in Harrogate
Detective chief inspector Andrew Simpson, who led the initiative for North Yorkshire Police, said:
“Last week’s targeted activity demonstrates how we are working tirelessly to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs and protect the young and vulnerable in our communities who are exploited by them.
“It’s important to stress that this is just one week’s activity, and this type of disruption and safeguarding is taking place in communities across North Yorkshire all year round.
“As a force we are committed to cutting these County Lines and to protecting vulnerable people. But we cannot do this alone, our work with partners is important and we also need the support of the public.
“It’s vital that everyone who cares for or knows young and vulnerable people understands the issue and knows the warning signs.”
Children
To help raise awareness among children, the force worked with Christina Gabbitas, the popular children’s author of the No More Knives and Trapped by County Lines campaigns, to deliver talks alongside neighbourhood policing officers in several schools across the county.
Christina said:
Man arrested after incident outside Harrogate McDonalds“After the success of working together with North Yorkshire Police, I was commissioned to write a sequel story Trapped in County Lines.
“The story aims to educate children and young people on the dangers of becoming involved with county lines through the power of storytelling.
“Children and young people can sadly be victims of exploitation from organised crime groups. County Lines is a harsh reality of life, and in my opinion shouldn’t be sugar coated.”
A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article in Harrogate town centre.
North Yorkshire Police were called to Cambridge Road outside McDonalds at around 1.40pm this afternoon.
Officers said an 18-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of breaching bail conditions, possession of a bladed article and obstructing police.
A statement from police this afternoon said the man remained in custody at this time.
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Horsebox trailer stolen in Green Hammerton
Police have issued an appeal after a horsebox trailer was stolen in Green Hammerton.
The white Ifor Williams horsebox was stolen from Boroughbridge Road between 7pm on Friday, October 12, and 8.45am on Saturday, October 14.
It has a registration number W29 ESH.
The white trailer has a loading ramp on the left-hand side, which is unusual as it is on the right-hand side on most trailers.
The inside of the trailer has ‘Swillington Trailers’ stickers showing.
A North Yorkshire Police statement added:
“If you see the stolen vehicle, or know where it is, please email Neel.Seth@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Neel Seth.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230195137.”
Read more:
- Police release CCTV image after theft in Harrogate Victoria Shopping Centre
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CCTV appeal after phone stolen at Harrogate bus station
North Yorkshire Police has issued CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to following the theft of a mobile phone in Harrogate.
The incident, which took place in Harrogate bus station, occurred at 12.40pm on Friday, September 15.
Officers are urging people to get in touch if they recognise the man in the images, as they believe he may have information that will help the investigation.
The force said in a statement yesterday:
“Anyone with any information is asked to email joanne.bell@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101.
“Ask for PC1488 Joanne Bell, Initial Enquiry Team, York.”
If you wish to remain anonymous when passing on information, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote reference number 12230176273 when passing on information.
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Police release CCTV image after theft in Harrogate Victoria Shopping Centre
Police have released CCTV images of two people they would like speak to following a theft in Harrogate town centre.
North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened at TK Maxx in the Victoria Shopping Centre at 10.07am on August 31.
A man stayed by the exit of the store while a woman selected nine designer handbags, valued at almost £480, and left the shop without paying.
Officers have launched an investigation and released CCTV of a man and woman.
A North Yorkshire Police statement said:
“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the woman or the man, who had distinctive long hair tied up, as they believe they may have information that could help the investigation.
“Anyone with any information is asked to email hazel.simms@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC1338 Simms-Williamson.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote reference number 12230164126 when passing on information.”
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Police find missing 16-year-old from Harrogate
Police have confirmed a missing 16-year-old girl from Harrogate has been found
Officers issued an appeal after she was last seen at 12.45am yesterday (October 17) in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police has since confirmed the teenager has been found.
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Police investigate car crashing into fence on Harrogate street
North Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation after a car crashed into parked vehicles and a fence on a Harrogate street.
The incident happened on Tuesday, October 10, on Birstwith Road.
Officers said a white Vauxhall Insignia collided with parked vehicles and a fence at around 9.20pm. The occupants of the car had left the scene upon police arrival.
The force has appealed for anyone with information on the incident to come forward.
A police statement said:
“Police enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12230192818.”
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- Land Rover found on its roof after Knaresborough collision
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Police find missing Harrogate boy
Police have confirmed that a missing boy from Harrogate has been found safe and well.
The force issued an appeal for a 13-year-boy over the weekend.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the boy has since been found.
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Police commissioner rejects advice to delay appointment of chief constable
North Yorkshire’s police commissioner has rejected advice to delay the appointment of a new chief constable.
The current chief constable, Lisa Winward, announced last month she will retire on March 31, 2024.
As a result, members of North Yorkshire and York’s police, fire and crime panel, which met at City of York Council yesterday, urged Conservative commissioner Zoë Metcalfe to postpone the recruitment process for up to 15 months.
Ms Winward’s retirement will come just weeks before a new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, who will take on police commissioner powers including the ability to appoint a chief constable, will be elected.
The panel felt the delay would ensure senior police officers had sufficient time to see eye-to-eye with the new mayor.
Ms Metcalfe, however, rejected the guidance today. She felt months of temporary leadership would not be in the public’s best interest.
She said:
“As the single elected individual with responsibility for the totality of policing and crime for York and North Yorkshire, I have a duty to ensure that the force has outstanding, inspirational long-term leadership to keep our communities safe and feeling safe.
“I was surprised that some panel members saw fit to substitute their preference, not just for my decision, but for the considered professional views of all national stakeholders with a remit for excellence in police leadership.
“It gives me no pleasure to say that the recommendations of those key national stakeholders outweigh the panel’s recommendation.
“I stand by my decision.”
Ms Metcalfe added:
“This is a crucial time for the programme of improvements for North Yorkshire Police.
“The role of chief constable of North Yorkshire Police is a terrific opportunity for an inspirational, visionary chief police officer.
“The process for selection will be open, rigorous, exciting and challenging – and will involve a broad range of local and national key partner organisations so that York and North Yorkshire can be sure that we have the very best of police leadership for our communities.”
The move comes as members of the panel raised concern that the selection of the chief constable would coincide with the election of the Mayor for York and North Yorkshire.
Cllr Lindsay Burr, who represents Malton, said it would be an incorrect decision for the public to appoint a chief constable when the force’s strategic direction had not been set by the incoming mayor.
Huby councillor and former police officer Malcolm Taylor said while moving ahead with recruiting a chief constable might be a good decision in the short-term, the appointment was a long-term role.
Meanwhile, Ms Metcalfe also rejected an option to appoint an interim chief constable earlier this month.
The Stray Ferret reported that the commissioner was also given alternatives, including appointing the deputy chief constable to role until after mayoral election, but turned down both options in favour of starting a recruitment process.
Read more:
- Call for North Yorkshire police commissioner to delay chief constable appointment
- Police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe rejects appointing interim chief constable
Police enquiries continue into Pateley Bridge petrol station attempted arson
Police enquiries are ongoing into an attempted arson at a petrol station in Pateley Bridge.
The incident happened between 1.45am and 2.45am on Sunday, May 14, at the Dales Market Corner petrol station in the town.
Officers at North Yorkshire Police said two men walked onto the forecourt, placed a backpack in the area and set it alight. The backpack then self-extinguished.
The force has confirmed that enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
It comes as two men were arrested in connection with the attempted arson following the incident.
Dales Market Corner petrol station in Pateley Bridge.
A 36-year-old man was arrested on May 14 on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. He was interviewed and later released on conditional bail.
A second man, 45, was arrested on June 5 in connection with the incident. He was bailed while enquiries continue.
Meanwhile, police have reiterated an appeal to the public to get in touch if they have any information or can identify the man in CCTV images issued by the force.
A police statement added:
“Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation 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.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote reference number 12230086186 when passing on information.”
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