A motorbike has been stolen from Boroughbridge as part of a spate of garage thefts of cycles and motorbikes.

Thieves took the red and white motorbike, which had been given as a Christmas present, after cutting through two locks between 19 and 21 January.

North Yorkshire Police said today bikes and motorbikes worth thousands of pounds have been stolen in recent days and appealed for people to check their outbuildings were secure.

It later added a mountain bike was stolen from a garage in Hookstone Grange Way last week between 5pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday. It is an orange and black Whyte T130-C carbon framed bike with a new Vittoria front tyre.

PC Liz Estensen, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Recorded crime figures show that thieves are far more likely to break into sheds and garages than houses, so consider taking extra steps to protect your outbuildings, particularly if you live in a rural or isolated area.”

Police added officers were also investigating reports of youths interfering with high-value vehicles parked in Harrogate overnight.

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The force issued the following crime prevention advice:

• If you have a door lock or window lock on your outbuilding, use it.
• A simple padlock and hasp correctly fitted to a door can deter opportunist thieves. Use a close coupled padlock for increased security.
• If you have an integral door between your home and garage, consider this as an external door and secure it appropriately.
• Consider installing CCTV, external lighting or an alarm.
• Mark particularly valuable items prominently with your postcode.
• Consider placing smaller items in a secure cabinet within your shed or garage, or store them in your home.

Anyone with information about the Boroughbridge theft can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident reference 12210034339.

Police have arrested five people after thieves targeted building sites in the Harrogate district.

Officers travelled to South Yorkshire to make the arrests and seize property this morning after a string of thefts between March and November.

The thieves stole newly-installed boilers as well as machinery and tools.

In North Yorkshire alone, criminals struck at abound 40 housing developments when the homes were close to completion. A number of the developments were in the Harrogate district although precise details are not known.

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Detective Inspector Chris Stone, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

“These incidents clearly involved high-value, organised crime, and had a significant impact.

“Not only businesses within North Yorkshire, but house buyers due to move in to their new properties.

“Significant resources have been deployed into this investigation, leading to today’s arrests.

“We are actively pursuing further lines of enquiry, and will continue to robustly investigate these offences.”

The police arrested a man in his 40s from Doncaster and three men in their 30s from Barnsley on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and transferring criminal property.

Officers also arrested a woman in her 20s from Barnsley on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary

All remain in custody at this time while the police conduct the investigation.

Thieves tricked their way into an elderly woman’s house in Summerbridge, stealing bank cards which were later used for transactions in Ripon and Darlington.

The pair – a man and a woman – told the occupant they were from a disability service and were allowed into her home.

While there, on Wednesday, October 14 between 4.30pm and 5pm, they took three bank cards which were later used to make fraudulent transactions. A spokesman 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 the identity of the people in the CCTV images as officers would like to speak to them in connection with the incident.”

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Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Katie Bell, or email katarina.bell@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200181553.

A Harrogate shoplifter who was caught in possession of a meat cleaver has been jailed for 11 months.

Colin Bradley, 33, of Hargrove Road, had been carrying the lethal weapon at Asda in Harrogate where he stole two bottles of Jack Daniel’s whisky, York Crown Court heard today.

The fresh-produce manager stopped Bradley as he was leaving the store with the whisky bottles. Bradley was at first co-operative, said prosecutor Martin Bosomworth.

But when the male employee noticed more items in his jacket and pockets and asked him if he had stolen anything else, Bradley became aggressive and a “stand-off” ensued.

Mr Bosomworth told the court:

“(Bradley) put his hand in his pockets (where the blade was) and said, ‘Do you want it then?’”

“The (named manager) formed the impression that the defendant had some kind of knife.”

Fearing for his safety, the manager got out of Bradley’s way and let him leave the store.

Shortly after, police stopped Bradley and asked him if he was carrying a weapon. He pulled out a meat cleaver and handed it over.

Numerous thefts

Bradley, who was drunk and possibly high on drugs, was arrested and brought in for questioning. He refused to answer police questions about the incident on March 3.

He was released on bail pending further enquiries.

During this time, local shops and supermarkets provided CCTV evidence showing the convicted thief had targeted other stores since the beginning of February.

In one incident on February 10 he stole four packs of Stella Artois, food items and ready meals from the Co-op store on Knaresborough Road. He returned to the same shop later in the day to steal a multi-pack of tuna and a pack of Foster’s lager.

After being released on bail, he stole four cases of Jack Daniel’s and two packs of lager from the Co-op store on King Edward Drive on May 5.

Just over two weeks later, he targeted Sainsbury’s supermarket in Knaresborough where he stole cases of San Miguel beer. He returned to the store in June when he stole chicken breasts and pasta sauce.

Knuckle duster

Bradley was sentenced today after pleading guilty to possessing a bladed article in public and seven counts of theft.

The court heard he had 10 previous convictions for offences including possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in 2014. His other convictions included carrying a knuckle duster, serious violence and drug offences.

Defence barrister Ashleigh Metcalfe said that Bradley had been binge-drinking and homeless during his four-month thieving spree.

Since the meat-cleaver incident, he had been trying to curb his drinking and drug-taking, which had been exacerbated by family bereavements.

But judge Simon Hickey said carrying a meat cleaver in public was such a serious offence that it had to be immediate custody.

The judge added that Bradley’s previous conviction for possessing a blade or offensive weapon meant he was liable to a minimum jail term as a “second-striker”.

Jailing Bradley for 11 months, Mr Hickey added:

“Anybody who carries a meat cleaver (must expect) an immediate custodial sentence, even though one was never taken out (of the defendant’s pocket).”

Bradley will serve half of the sentence behind bars before being released on prison licence.

A “substantial” cash reward is being offered by the owner of two motorbikes stolen from a home in Harrogate last month.

The two Triumph motorbikes were taken from Firs Drive between 10pm and midnight on August 19.

Police believe the bikes were ridden away towards the Leeds area. They had the number plates AV52 KWS and WX56 EKY, but these are likely to have been changed since the theft.

The 52-plate bike had damage to its front right fairing and a messy fibreglass weld running through it, as well as a crack to the rear left seat fairing.

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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 a Ford Focus seen in the area around the time and any sightings or adverts of the bikes for sale.

“The owner of the bikes is offering a substantial cash reward for information given to the police which results in the safe return of both bikes.”

Anyone with information that could help the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for James Skaith. You can also email James.Skaith@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200144624.

An elderly woman had a necklace of high sentimental value stolen in a distraction theft in the centre of Harrogate.

The necklace – which was given to her by her husband on their golden wedding anniversary – was taken when the 95-year-old victim was near the HSBC Bank in Cambridge Street.

The woman was with her husband near the HSBC Bank on Cambridge Street when she was approached by two women who attempted to engage the couple in conversation. After the women had left, the victim realised her necklace was gone.

The incident happened on Tuesday, August 11 at around 11.15am and police are now appealing for help to trace two suspects from CCTV images. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the people in the CCTV images as they believe they may have information which could help the investigation.”

Police are trying to trace this woman following a distraction theft in Harrogate town centre.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Colin Steele or email Colin.Steele@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12200139244 when passing on information.

Burglars stole an emergency services training vehicle from Whixley in the early hours of Sunday.

After breaking into a home at 2.40am, they took two sets of keys for the marked Volvo, registration E4 RFT, along with a Brietling watch.

The vehicle was later discovered in Knaresborough. Police are appealing for information about the burglary.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and asking anyone who saw anything in the area at the time or saw he vehicle being driven in the early hours on Sunday, August 16 to get in touch. In particular, we are appealing for information about the stolen Brietling watch.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Elizabeth Estensen, or email elizabeth.estensen@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively, report information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200141951.

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Police are warning Knaresborough residents to stay vigilant after a series of suspicious incidents, including three men approaching houses in the Aspin Avenue area last night.

The men were reported to be trying car doors and approaching houses around 12.30am. There have been no reports of thefts or burglaries.

Earlier in the evening, police received reports of a residential home on Manor Road being entered between 8.30pm and 9pm. It is unclear if anything was taken.

The combination of incidents has led police to warn residents in surrounding areas to take further precautions to ensure the safety of their valuables.

The police are warning residents to ensure their houses and valuables are secure.

North Yorkshire Police has offered advice to improve home safety:

• Keep all valuables, including car keys, out of sight and away from windows or letterboxes.
• Look at windows and their access points. Be aware of nearby bins and furniture that could be used to reach windows.
• Make sure there is a clear view at the front of your property. Burglars don’t want to be seen or heard and if they’re likely to be spotted they may move on.

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Local police have also ask residents to check any CCTV that they have of these areas overnight. Anything suspicious should be reported to police on 101, quoting the reference number 12200134639.

Burglars made off in a BMW with a first aid kit, a box of face masks and two sets of handmade doctor’s scrubs from a home in south Harrogate.

The Westbourne Avenue home was targeted between midnight and 6.45am on Saturday, June 20, when thieves broke in and took the keys for the grey BMW 220 D, which was on the driveway.

The car was recovered later that day after crashing and being abandoned on the way to Wetherby. However, items from inside the car were stolen.

As well as the face masks, scrubs and first aid kit, they included a child’s car seat, Ray-Ban sunglasses and a make-up bag. A personalised thermometer was also stolen from a doctor’s bag, but the bag was left outside the house.

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North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information from the public aboutt he “two-in-one” burglary. A spokesman said:

“In particular, [we] are appealing for information about any suspicious people or vehicles seen in the area, and any CCTV or dash-cam or doorbell footage taken in the area at the time of the offence.

“[We] would also like to hear from anyone who has seen or been offered any of the stolen items for sale under suspicious circumstances.

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.”