‘Outrageous’ series of bike thefts investigated at Harrogate Hospital

A total of seven bicycle thefts from Harrogate District Hospital have been reported to North Yorkshire Police since the beginning of April.

The thefts – including from key workers on long shifts – are being investigated by the Harrogate neighbourhood policing team, which says it is committed to finding the people responsible.

The force is also offering hospital staff and local residents the option to have their bikes security marked, by appointment only, in an effort to discourage the crime.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:

“Since the beginning of April this year, there have been seven bicycles stolen from the Harrogate District Hospital site. Members of staff who have been dealing with the coronavirus crisis are among those who have been affected by these incidents.

“This is clearly outrageous and the Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team are working hard to identify those responsible and are helping staff to increase cycle security.”

The thefts are being investigated by police, who have reassured staff that those responsible will be found.

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Harrogate District Hospital is looking into further security measures following the incident. A trust spokesperson said:

“We know it is frustrating and upsetting to have a bike stolen. We’re currently looking at what we can do to improve bike storage facilities on the Harrogate District Hospital site.”

North Yorkshire Police hand out 61 fines as people ‘blatantly ignore’ rules

North Yorkshire Police handed out 61 fines this weekend to people who were not following the coronavirus lockdown rules, despite numerous warnings to not visit the county.

31 fines were issued on Saturday to people visiting from West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and as far away as Kent. 17 fines were issued in Malham alone – with 13 being written in an hour.

A further 30 fines were handed out on Sunday, with officers issuing six fines in Brotherton to people gathering to go off-road biking. Other unnecessary journeys included a man travelling from Yarm to Wakefield to pick up paint and two men travelling to Bradford to view a car.

The police believe that in some areas the tide is turning in the wrong direction, with some now taking the decision to no longer stay at home and save lives

Speaking about this weekend’s enforcement Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said that

“Up until this weekend, the vast majority of both residents and visitors to North Yorkshire have acted responsibly and in accordance to government guidance and abided by the rules around only travelling for essential reasons. We need the support of the public and for some to realise and understand why they are being asked to continue to abide by the stay home rules. This virus is not yet beaten, the threat of a second peak of infection is very real, as we have heard from the Prime Minister himself this morning. That’s why we must keep on going – to protect our love ones; our children, partners, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters.”

What is county lines and what parents should look out for?

What is ‘County Lines’?

‘County Lines’ is a term used when drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs.

These dealers will use dedicated mobile phone lines, known as ‘deal lines’, to take orders from drug users.

All kinds of illegal drugs are being supplied and ordered, including heroin and cocaine. Other drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy are also in demand.

In most instances, the users or customers will live in a different area to where the dealers and networks are based, so drug runners are needed to transport the drugs and collect payment.

A common feature in county lines drug supply is the exploitation of young and vulnerable people. The dealers will frequently target children and adults – often with mental health or addiction problems – to act as drug runners or move cash so they can stay under the radar of law enforcement.

Suspected drugs seized from one of the recent property raids

Destructive cycle

Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, of North Yorkshire Police, said that county lines was an operational priority for North Yorkshire Police, with three dedicated proactive teams dedicated to the issue: “There are drug users in all towns and it’s important that vulnerable people are offered the help to get out of the destructive cycle of drug use. It’s a complex problem with many factors which is why partnership working with housing providers, drug intervention and local authorities and the health service is important.”

“The criminals will exploit younger people and children and force them to transport the drugs to the smaller towns, often using public transport. In a practice known as cuckooing, they also take over the homes of vulnerable people, again often drug users themselves, to store and sell their drugs while they are in the area.

“Any teenager is at risk of becoming involved, even those from affluent families.

“Our advice to parents is to talk to your children about drugs and be aware of the signs to look out.”

What should parents look out for:

Gangs are increasingly using social media to recruit children via mobile phones who aren’t typically vulnerable, so everyone needs to be alert to the following signs:

If you suspect a child you care for or know is being exploited, please call the police on 101, if they are in immediate danger, always call 999 

Visit https://northyorkshire.police.uk/ for advice and information for parents.