A fourth girl has been arrested following yesterday’s assault on a teacher at King James’s School in Knaresborough.

Police were called at 3.10pm yesterday when a gang of girls from another school caused a disturbance.

A teenage girl was arrested for an alleged assault on a female member of staff and criminal damage but in an update this morning, North Yorkshire Police said she had since been released on bail.

Two other teenage girls who were arrested for breach of the peace had been “de-arrested and taken home” and would be “interviewed at a later date”, police said.

Today’s update also said a 16-year-old girl was arrested last night, several hours after the incident, on suspicion of affray and remained in police custody.

None of the girls who were arrested is from King James’ School.

Headteacher Carl Sugden (pictured above) wrote to parents yesterday saying the gang of girls were “not connected to King James’s School” and “came onto the school site with the clear intention of causing trouble”.

Mr Sugden added:

“Our staff were on hand to stop them, they did not gain access to the building, but unfortunately we needed some police support to remove them.

“There were a number of police vans on site at the end of school and this caused some disruption to the end of the day.

“I can assure you that none of our pupils were involved in this poor behaviour and these young people are not known to us.”

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Police enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, option 1.

The crime reference is 12230050161.

North Yorkshire Police has said an investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” at Turkish Baths Harrogate is ongoing.

Harrogate Borough Council banned nude bathing at the Victorian baths last week after it received a complaint.

Until the decision, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.

But the council, which runs the venue, made swimwear compulsory for all sessions without consulting users following the complaint.

In a statement, it said the complaint was of a “serious nature”, adding:

“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”

North Yorkshire Police confirmed today it was looking into the matter. A spokesperson said:

“Police received a report of an incident of inappropriate behaviour at the Turkish Baths earlier this month. Enquiries are at an early stage and are ongoing.”

The baths opened in 1897 and with its restored Moorish design is one of Harrogate’s premier attractions.

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Swimwear has been made compulsory for all sessions at Turkish Baths Harrogate following a complaint to the police.

Until this week, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women each week. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.

But a spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, which runs the Victorian venue, said:

“Following a complaint at Turkish Baths Harrogate, an operational decision has been made that swimwear is now compulsory at all bathing sessions.

“The complaint related to an incident which due to its serious nature has been reported to the police and is currently being investigated.

“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”

The Moorish design

The council issued the statement after a bather, who regularly attends men-only sessions unclothed, alerted local media to the change.

The person, who asked to remain anonymous, said recent attendees of single sex sessions received emails yesterday informing them of the change with immediate effect, with no consultation.

He also pointed out the ‘bathing etiquette’ section on the Turkish baths’ website had been amended to say ‘swimwear is compulsory at all sessions (including single-sex sessions)’.

The person said the majority of people at male-only sessions preferred not to wear clothes because they found them uncomfortable.

He added he would monitor the situation in light of the complaint to see whether the unclothed option was reintroduced.

The baths, which has Islamic arches and screens as part of its Moorish design, opened in 1897 and have been fully restored with a plunge pool, steam room and sauna as well as rooms of various temperatures to relax in.

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A dog walker has expressed concern after discovering 10 canisters of laughing gas dumped by the side of the road.

John Chadwick stumbled across the canisters on the rural Gravelly Hill Lane in Huby.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is the second most-used drug among UK 16- to 24-year-olds. It can induce euphoria and relaxation, as well as hallucinations.

The drug can lead to various health problems but is not currently illegal to possess. However, selling it to children is prohibited.

Mr Chadwick said this was the first time he’d seen the canisters and it “highlights what I believe is becoming an increasing health and behavioural issue predominately amongst younger people”.

He added:

“I’ve heard lots about it on phone-ins, I guess maybe I didn’t expect it in a rural environment. In that sense it was a bit of a shock – a bit like seeing a few old fridges dumped. A violation of our village.

“I am concerned that what could be seen as some harmless fun could escalate into something worse.

“Had somebody driven to this place to inhale the gas for fun and then driven off? In that case there is a danger to the perpetrator and others. Or was it just littering?”

The canisters were dumped by the side of a rural lane.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:

“There are significant dangers associated with using nitrous oxide. Inhaling it can lead to unconsciousness and ultimately suffocation as the body is essentially starved of oxygen.

“There is also evidence to show that people with heart conditions can be at risk of higher harm and that inhalation can lead to anaemia or long-term nerve damage.

“We would ask parents to be vigilant for the signs that their children may be purchasing the substance online.

“Anyone who is found guilty of supplying nitrous oxide could face up to six months in prison or an unlimited fine.”

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A large number of North Yorkshire Police cars descended on a village near Ripon to intercept a convoy of suspected stolen vehicles.

According to police, patrol vehicles acting on information received spotted three vehicles travelling along the A19 and A168 southbound near Thirsk.

The three vehicles — a Nissan Navara, a Range Rover Sport and a Mercedes van carrying two Land Rovers — were then stopped by officers in Sharow, near Ripon.

A police statement said:

“Officers checked the vehicle identification numbers of all the vehicles and several were suspected to be fake.

“Three people, two men and a woman, all in their 30s and from the Cleveland area, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles. The woman was further arrested on suspicion of driving whilst disqualified. They remain in custody at this time.

“All of the vehicles were seized and taken to a secure location for forensic searches and further enquiries.”

A Sharow resident who witnessed the police operation,  said he had never seen so many police vehicles in the village.

The villager, who asked not to be named, said he noticed eight police patrol cars.

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The grieving family of 17-year-old Seb Mitchell, who died following an incident in Harrogate, have issued a photograph and a tribute to their ‘beautiful, funny, talented boy’.

Harrogate Grammar School student Seb died in hospital on February 21 following the incident on Claro Road two days earlier.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the incident and is due to appear in court again in the near future, North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today.

The police statement included the family’s tribute, which said:

“Seb was our beautiful, funny, talented boy.

“There are no words to describe how we feel now that he has been so cruelly taken from us.

“We will carry him in our hearts forever.”

Police social media plea 

North Yorkshire Police also issued a plea urging people not to speculate on the incident.

“We are aware of social media posts naming the boy who has been charged and also speculating on the circumstances of Seb’s death.

“It is really important that nobody does this.

“This is because once someone has been charged with an offence, it is illegal to publish anything that could influence a jury and affect a person’s right to a fair trial. This includes claiming to know what happened or speculating about the circumstances of his death. Publishing includes uploading posts and comments to social media.

“Also, suspects who are under the age of 18 have anonymity in law. Therefore it is illegal to name them on social media as the suspect in a case.

“We would therefore strongly urge anyone who has posted comments or photos naming the suspect in the case or speculated about the circumstances, to remove them urgently.”

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North 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.

The 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 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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A 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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