Police reassure Harrogate councillors over knife crime concernsNorth Yorkshire Police has sought to reassure people that Harrogate does not have a worse problem with knife crime than other places.
Councillors questioned police about the issue last night after 17-year-old Seb Mitchell lost his life on Claro Road following an incident on February 19.
Rich Ogden, chief inspector at the force, told Harrogate Borough Council‘s overview and scrutiny commission the county was one of the safest in England. However, he added that the force continued to work with young people to educate them not to carry knives.
The meeting heard 98 knives have been dropped off at an amnesty bin in Dragon Road car park at Asda in Harrogate since it was installed in January.
When asked by Cllr Chris Aldred, chair of the committee, whether Harrogate had a problem with knife crime, Ch Insp Ogden said:
“We are living in one of the safest counties in England and we must not forget that.
“Any incident involving a knife can end in tragedy.”
He added:
“I don’t see that Harrogate has a problem more than anywhere else.
“But it would be wrong of me to say that knives are prevalent on the streets. We’ve got to encourage people not to use knives and carry knives at any point. Particularly those who take knives out for their own protection.”
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Ch Insp Ogden added that a large amount of the knives that have been dropped off in the amnesty bin were household kitchen knives and that the facility helped the public to dispose of them safely.
Superintendent Teresa Lam told the committee:
“Even though we are considered the safest force area, we continually liaise with our counterparts across the country including London so that we are continually understanding what the trends and patterns are.”
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was initially charged with attempted murder on February 20. He is due to appear in court on March 14. Ch Insp Ogden told the meeting it was now a murder investigation.
Body of man in his 20s found in Harrogate nature reserveThe body of a man in his 20s has been found at Hookstone Wood in Harrogate.
A dog walker is believed to have made the discovery in the nature reserve between the Great Yorkshire Showground and Hornbeam Park yesterday morning.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement:
“North Yorkshire Police were called at around 8am on February 20 after a member of the public found the body of a man in woodland on the outskirts of Harrogate.
“The ambulance service also attended and provided assistance, but sadly the man, who is aged in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Officers do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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Ripon Spa Gardens closed due to serious police incidentRipon Spa Gardens and Park Road, which runs alongside it, were closed this afternoon due to a police incident.
Numerous police, fire and ambulance vehicles were in attendance at the scene.
Police on site would only say “an incident” had taken place.
The Stray Ferret contacted North Yorkshire Police’s press office for further information but has not had a response.
Emergency services arrived on the scene at Park Street at about 3pm this afternoon. Most were based outside Ripon Spa Hotel, which is closed for refurbishment.
Police cordons were erected at the junction with Old Park Mews, which closed the road to through traffic and forced vehicles to find other routes.
Park Road is closed to through traffic
Cordons were also put up outside Ripon Spa Gardens.
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Man arrested over alleged robbery and sexual assault in HarrogateA man has been arrested in connection with an alleged robbery and sexual assault on Bogs Lane in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police said last night a woman had sustained facial injuries while walking in the Bogs Lane area, which is off Knaresborough Road, in an incident on Tuesday night.
in a brief update this afternoon, police said the man, who is aged in his 20s, was arrested today and remains in police custody for questioning.
Officers said yesterday that people in the Bogs Lane area might see an increased police presence as inquiries were carried out.
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Historic Ripon church is attacked by vandals
A Catholic church considered one of Ripon’s architectural gems has suffered thousands of pounds of damage after being attacked by vandals.
Canon Ian Smith, parish priest of St Wilfrid’s on Coltsgate Hill, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s very disheartening for parishioners and others who visit for prayer and quiet reflection, to see the aftermath of mindless destruction.”
He added:
“I don’t know what kind of pleasure they got from throwing stones through windows and damaging roof tiles, but their acts are deeply disappointing to all those who cherish this building.”
Canon Ian estimates the the repair bill for three leaded windows, an internal window in the reception area and roof tiles, will run into thousands of pounds.
The vandalised window in the church reception area
He pointed out:
“The leaded windows are originals that have been in place since the church opened in 1862 and it’s ironic to think that they survived undamaged through world wars and have now been wilfully broken in this way.”
Police were informed about the vandal attack, believed to have occurred between 7pm last Saturday, February 4, and 9am on Sunday, February 5. They have inspected the damage and their investigation is ongoing.
The first phase of a £500,000 restoration of the Grade II* listed building was completed in summer 2021, after parishioners supported an appeal that helped to pay for the refurbishment and renewal works.
In spite of the vandalism, St Wilfrid’s remains open as usual for services and private prayer.
Person airlifted to hospital after serious crash near HarrogateA person has been airlifted to hospital after a serious crash on the A59 Skipton Road near Harrogate this morning.
Police and firefighters have been at the scene along with paramedics following a two-vehicle collision between The Nelson Inn and the farm shop crossroads.
The incident caused long tailbacks to New Park roundabout in Harrogate, with police diverting traffic onto Otley Road towards Penny Pot Lane and Beckwithshaw.
Harrogate Fire Station posted on social media:
“This morning, Harrogate crew attended a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A59. One transported to Leeds hospital via air ambulance.”
North Yorkshire Police tweeted about the incident at 9.24am.
https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1622888981460357120
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Teen arrested on cocaine charge after car overturns in RiponA man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs after officers came across a crashed car in Ripon.
Shortly after 3pm yesterday, North Yorkshire Police officers on patrol near Lark Lane in Ripon located a red VW Golf car that had been involved in a collision and was on its roof.
A police statement today said:
“One of the occupants made off from the scene. Following a search of the area, officers located a large quantity of suspected cannabis and cocaine.
“The other occupant, a 19-year-old local man, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.”
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12230015627.
Police closed the road while the incident took place.
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North Yorkshire Police using lie detector tests to target sex offendersNorth Yorkshire Police is using lie detector tests to target suspected and convicted sex offenders across the county.
At a public accountability meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner this afternoon, the force’s head of safeguarding, Heather Whorriskey, revealed officers have used a polygraph test 87 times since it first started using the equipment in October 2020.
The tests work by measuring how a person responds to certain questions, such as if their blood pressure rises or if they get sweaty palms, to detect traits associated with lying.
However, the tests are controversial as they are not 100% accurate and the results can’t be used as evidence in the courts.
After a guest on ITV’s Jeremy Kyle Show died after reportedly failing a lie detector test, MPs in 2019 criticised the producers after they admitted they did not know how reliable their lie detector tests were.
Detective Superintendent Whorriskey said NYP uses the tests before a suspect is charged to investigate if they have been in communication with children using a device.
The tests are also used on “lower-level” people on the sexual offenders register to understand the risk they might pose to the public.
However, Det Supt Whorriskey said many people about to take these test reveal things before it starts as they “realise their answers are likely to give away some untruths.”
She said:
“It’s used quite significantly whenever offenders are using communication devices to assess whether or not they have engaged in further communication with children. We’re able to use that to prioritise those devices for examination within our digital forensic unit.”
Det Supt Whorriskey said the use of polygraph tests is increasing and will be used 13 times in the next three weeks alone. She added:
“It identifies unknown risks and offences we would not have known about without having used the equipment. It’s absolutely value for money.”
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‘No suspicious circumstances’ in sudden death in Harrogate, police sayNorth Yorkshire Police has said there were “no suspicious circumstances” in the sudden death of a 77-year-old woman in Bilton this week.
The woman, who has not been named, died in a flat at Dene Park on Monday afternoon.
A 76-year-old man was arrested and later released under investigation.
Police were present at the scene from Monday afternoon until last night.
Police were at the scene until last night.
In an update this afternoon, police said:
“The investigation into the sudden death of a 77-year-old woman at a flat on Dene Park in Harrogate on Monday afternoon has confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
“The 76-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation has been released without charge with no further action to be taken.
“The scene has been stood down at the address and a report has been sent to the coroner.”
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Harrogate’s former Kimberley Hotel being used for drugs and crime, say policeA Harrogate police inspector has expressed concerns that the site of the former Kimberley Hotel is being used for drugs and crime.
The 70-bedroom hotel on King’s Road closed in December 2020 after more than 50 years.
Insp. Ed Rogerson, who works for North Yorkshire Police’s Harrogate outer area, said the former hotel had become a “problem area” when he gave an overview of local policing to Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee this week.
He said the hotel was awaiting redevelopment, adding:
“This empty building has been a problem area. Although it’s boarded up people keep breaking in.
“It’s primarily young people but it’s also being used by adults. People have used the location for taking drugs.
“It’s a concern that these vulnerable people are mixing with adults in that location where there’s crime and anti-social behaviour.”
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Insp. Rogerson added officers were working with other organisations, including environmental health, “to ensure the owner and developer of that premises secure it properly”. He added:
“They’ve been reminded that if it doesn’t remain secure then enforcement action can be taken against them”.
The Kimberley Hotel in 2020.
The Kimberley Hotel opened in the 1960s when five townhouses dating back to the turn of the 20th century were converted.
It benefitted from the opening of what was then called the Harrogate Conference Centre in 1982, which is a short walk away.