Yesterday, we heard traders concerns that anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are getting worse, but do the official statistics back these experiences?
Our Trading Hell survey showed that traders feel that incidents of shoplifting, drug misuse and general anti-social behaviour are far too common.
Traders also expressed a deep sense of frustration that not enough is being done to make our shopping streets the safe and pleasant places they used to be.
The Stray Ferret has examined official statistics for the “hotspot” areas identified in our survey.
Shocking rise in shoplifting
Among the areas of most concern for traders has been shoplifting, which 78% say is an issue.
The Stray Ferret has found that statistics show a shocking rise in the number of reported incidents to police.
Our research of the force’s own data found that in 2022, 139 reports of shoplifting in the town centre were made.
In the same period last year, this increased by 66% to 232.
Concern over the problem have been heightened following incidents of thefts worth hundreds of pounds on Beulah Street and Commercial Street last year.
Another incident in November 2023 saw a “prolific shoplifter” threaten staff in Asda on Bower Road after staff tried to stop her stealing two bottles of alcohol.
One business owner told us:
“I’ve seen a group of five people coming out of the shop next door with armfuls of hangers, just walking off. Not even running. The security guard couldn’t do anything. They just told him to f*** off.”
Anti-social behaviour
Much of traders concerns centre around anti-social behaviour, a term which often can capture various different issues.
The police define anti-social behaviour as “someone acting in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people not living in the same household”.
According to the force’s own data, in the 12 months to January 2024, a total of 285 reports were made to police in those hotspot areas.
This compares with 261 incidents in the same period in 2022.
While this is a slight increase, almost every business of the 50 which were surveyed (96%) told us that anti-social behaviour is a problem – only two said it isn’t.
Organisations such as Harrogate BID feel not enough businesses are reporting what is really happening.
One reason is a lack of confidence among traders that the police will act.
One business owner told us:
“Ring for thefts – not interested. Ring for feeling unsafe out the back of our courtyard due to large group of kids smoking weed and intimidating staff, and drunks – nothing done after ringing several times for numerous incidents.”
It means that the true picture of just how much of an issue anti-social behaviour is in the town is unlikely to be reflected in the figures.
Read more:
- Trading Hell: A Stray Ferret investigation reveals how Harrogate shop workers routinely face threats, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour
- Four arrested after police chase in Harrogate
Although shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are among the most concerning issues, there are other offences which crop up in the statistics such as violence and sexual offences.
Last year, a total of 99 reports of violent and sexual offences were reported to police in the “hotspot” areas identified in our survey. This compares to 98 in the previous year.
The most high profile of those incidents was a report of a serious sexual assault in the town centre which saw police cordon off areas of James Street, Petergate and Market Place on October 5, 2023.
Rough sleeping, street drinking and drugs
Among the other areas of concern raised in our survey was rough sleeping (70%), street drinking (74%) and drug taking (66%).
Traders feel that these three issues are part of a wider problems currently affecting the town.
According to police data, reports of drugs, which includes possession, consumption and supply, has fallen slightly from 44 in 2022 to 40 last year.
The force themselves said Harrogate has a “low level” of drug offences for a town of its size.
Paul Rawlinson, who owns Baltzersen’s and Bakeri Baltzersens on Oxford Street, told us that the issue of rough sleeping is most pronounced in the summer when it is a “more comfortable option”.
A rough sleeper outside Primark in Harrogate town centre.
According to a freedom of information request from North Yorkshire Council, last year three females and 27 males were counted as sleeping rough in the Harrogate town centre area.
The council said all except eight of those were provided with alternative accommodation.
It added that the rough sleeping count for each year “could represent the same people where accommodation has been secured and then lost”.
There have been flashpoints over the last couple of years where businesses and residents have complained of people sleeping rough causing issues in their area.
In November 2022, concern was raised over rough sleeping, street begging and drinking at the back of Primark on Oxford Street.
At the time, Harrogate Borough Council said three “entrenched, long-term” rough sleepers had been sleeping overnight in the area.
The authority sought to assure residents and businesses that those gathering in the area had been offered accommodation, but was turned down. Those gathered there later accepted support.
Similarly, in November 2023, North Yorkshire Council erected fencing at a pavilion at Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens after rough sleepers occupied the area and returned twice after being dispersed.
The Stray Ferret followed the saga closely after nearby residents, who complained of anti-social behaviour during the group’s encampment. Many sympathised with the rough sleepers but wanted to know what long-term measures would be put in place on the site.
Why the stats matter?
Whether the statistics reflect the true picture is a significant issue because police crime figures determine how much resource is given to tackling a problem. The figures mean Harrogate is still designated as a low crime area by the police, despite the trader’s experiences.
On Thursday, we will be asking the force whether they could do more to tackle Harrogate’s problems and give confidence to the traders to report crimes.
But there are other agencies who work with the police to support people who traders feel to a greater or lesser extent are involved in some of the town’s issues. Those who help support the homeless and have responsibilities for youth justice.
Tomorrow, we look at the agencies outside of police enforcement who are involved in supporting people considered to be part of Harrogate’s issues.
