North Yorkshire Police has issued advice to church authorities to keep premises locked when unattended to deter theft.
The advice has been sent out in pamphlets to churches across the region and has been questioned by some who believe the premises should stay open throughout the day.
The full advice can be seen on the North Yorkshire Police website and also includes locking away any valuable items and chaining antique furniture to the floor and wall.
Churches have historically been open to the community at most times throughout the day for prayer and services. Most have been closed in the past year due to covid.
C B Newsham is the director of the Parish Church Photographic Survey and saw the police notice whilst taking photographs in a Harrogate church.
He expressed his dismay at the advice on Twitter;
https://twitter.com/cbnewham/status/1400102182716854273
He said;
“If a church is locked then it presents a more tempting target for a thief […] because a locked building says “I’m locked because I have valuables inside”. Most churches have very little worth stealing inside them – something easily seen if the church is open. If it’s locked, then a lot of damage can be done gaining access. Thousands of pounds-worth of damage with nothing stolen.”
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Reverend Robb Wainwright, associate Priest for Burton Leonard and Bishop Monkton, is in agreement;
“I am very much in favour of churches remaining open where it is practicable to do so. In many rural locations just organising a key holder and an opening rota may be a problem, especially in winter.”
North Yorkshire Police has not yet responded with comment on the issue.
Champagne thief strikes in Harrogate supermarket
Police have appealed for information after champagne and spirits worth more than £800 were stolen from a supermarket in Harrogate.
The theft took place at Morrisons on Hookstone Road in Starbeck at about 10.30am on Thursday April 22.
Officers have released CCTV footage of two men they would like to speak to. They believe the men “hold information which would be of assistance to the investigation”.
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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“While it’s recognised that the men in the images are wearing face masks, officers are appealing to anyone who may recognise them by their hair or clothing to get in touch.”
Anyone who has information can call the police on 101 and quote reference 12210103291.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
Police issue CCTV images of wanted man after Asda theft in HarrogateNorth Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images of a man it would like to speak to after a theft from Asda in Harrogate.
The theft occurred at the supermarket on Bower Road between 12.30pm and 1pm on Monday, March 29.
According to a police statement today, “large quantities of valuable stock” was taken without payment.
The statement said:
Volvo stolen from driveway in Harrogate“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 383 McCabe.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote reference number 12210108977 when passing on information.”
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a car was stolen in Harrogate this week.
The electric blue Volvo V40 estate was stolen from a driveway on Hutton Gate between 10pm on Monday and 2am on Tuesday this week.
A police statement said:
“In particular, we are appealing for information about the vehicle’s movements and whereabouts, and if any suspicious activity was noticed during this time period in the area. The vehicle is believed to have traveled towards Leeds.”
Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Kayleigh Corcoran, or email kayleigh.corcoran@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210096907.
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Police appeal for help after Harrogate Co-op theft
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for help after a man stole alcohol and some Ariel detergent from a Harrogate Co-op.
The theft occurred on Friday at the Co-op service station on Ripon Road.
According to police, a number of bottles of alcohol and the detergent were taken.
Officers are appealing for information to identify the man in the CCTV images who they believe holds information that could help with their enquiries.
The police are asking anyone who recognises the man or has information on his whereabouts to get in touch.
You can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Ben Clarke.
Alternatively, email 000721@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. The crime reference number is 12210085638.
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Police image of man wanted after Ripon theft
Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following a theft from Sainsbury’s in Ripon Market Place.
A man entered the store and took about £500 of printer ink. It happened at about 4pm on March 1.
Officers believe the man in the image has information that could help the investigation and are asking anyone who recognises him to get in touch.
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Anyone with any information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 733 Mitchell or email Elliot.Mitchell@northyorkshire.police.uk.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference number 12210069492 when passing on information.
Police appeal after watches stolen from Kearby homeNorth Yorkshire Police has appealed for information after an unspecified number of watches were stolen from a house in Kearby, near Harrogate.
The incident happened between 7pm and 11.30pm on Saturday, March 13.
According to police, suspects entered a secure window and stole the watches from a bedroom.
Kearby is a small village in the south of the Harrogate district, near Kirkby Overblow.
Police hope the public can help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
They are particularly interested to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time.
Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Elizabeth Estensen. Or they can email the officer via elizabeth.estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210077196.
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Two men use pram to steal alcohol and crisps in Ripon
North Yorkshire Police has published images of two men they would like to speak to regarding the theft of 30 bottles of alcohol and some packets of crisps in two Ripon stores.
According to police, the men entered a local convenience store together on Elm Road. One man distracted staff at the till while the other stole eight bottles of gin and put them in a shopping bag.
Neither man made any attempt to pay before leaving.
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Shortly after on the same afternoon, at about 4.30pm, the same men went to a supermarket on Marshall Way.
Again, one man distracted staff while the other stuffed a pram full with 22 bottles of alcohol and some packets of crisps.
Both thefts happened on January 13.
Police have not named the stores but the locations suggest the incidents occurred in Costcutter and Booths.
North Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images in connection with its investigation and asked anyone who recognises the men pictured to get in touch.
Quote reference numbers 12210019882 and 12210035275 if you pass on information.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Mountain bike stolen from Harrogate garagePolice are appealing for information after a mountain bike was stolen from a locked garage in Harrogate.
It happened just before 1am on Wednesday, January 27, when the lock was broken on a garage on Tewit Well Road.
The green and black mountain bike was stolen. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, we are appealing for information about anyone who might have seen a green and black mountain bike in the area around this time.”
Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Elizabeth Estensen, or email elizabeth.estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210042876.
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11 sheep stolen from field near Boroughbridge
North Yorkshire Police is appealing to the public for information after 11 sheep were stolen from a field near Boroughbridge.
According to the police, the Beltex breed of sheep were taken between November 10 and January 17.
Police are particularly interested in any suspicious sightings of vehicles on Holbeck Lane or the B6265 between these dates.
Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Ruby Rutter. Or email the officer on ruby.rutter@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210032203.
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