Historic Ripon church is attacked by vandals
A Catholic church considered one of Ripon’s architectural gems has suffered thousands of pounds of damage after being attacked by vandals.
Canon Ian Smith, parish priest of St Wilfrid’s on Coltsgate Hill, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s very disheartening for parishioners and others who visit for prayer and quiet reflection, to see the aftermath of mindless destruction.”
He added:
“I don’t know what kind of pleasure they got from throwing stones through windows and damaging roof tiles, but their acts are deeply disappointing to all those who cherish this building.”
Canon Ian estimates the the repair bill for three leaded windows, an internal window in the reception area and roof tiles, will run into thousands of pounds.
The vandalised window in the church reception area
He pointed out:
“The leaded windows are originals that have been in place since the church opened in 1862 and it’s ironic to think that they survived undamaged through world wars and have now been wilfully broken in this way.”
Police were informed about the vandal attack, believed to have occurred between 7pm last Saturday, February 4, and 9am on Sunday, February 5. They have inspected the damage and their investigation is ongoing.
The first phase of a £500,000 restoration of the Grade II* listed building was completed in summer 2021, after parishioners supported an appeal that helped to pay for the refurbishment and renewal works.
In spite of the vandalism, St Wilfrid’s remains open as usual for services and private prayer.
Person airlifted to hospital after serious crash near HarrogateA person has been airlifted to hospital after a serious crash on the A59 Skipton Road near Harrogate this morning.
Police and firefighters have been at the scene along with paramedics following a two-vehicle collision between The Nelson Inn and the farm shop crossroads.
The incident caused long tailbacks to New Park roundabout in Harrogate, with police diverting traffic onto Otley Road towards Penny Pot Lane and Beckwithshaw.
Harrogate Fire Station posted on social media:
“This morning, Harrogate crew attended a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A59. One transported to Leeds hospital via air ambulance.”
North Yorkshire Police tweeted about the incident at 9.24am.
https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1622888981460357120
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Teen arrested on cocaine charge after car overturns in RiponA man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs after officers came across a crashed car in Ripon.
Shortly after 3pm yesterday, North Yorkshire Police officers on patrol near Lark Lane in Ripon located a red VW Golf car that had been involved in a collision and was on its roof.
A police statement today said:
“One of the occupants made off from the scene. Following a search of the area, officers located a large quantity of suspected cannabis and cocaine.
“The other occupant, a 19-year-old local man, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.”
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12230015627.
Police closed the road while the incident took place.
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North Yorkshire Police using lie detector tests to target sex offendersNorth Yorkshire Police is using lie detector tests to target suspected and convicted sex offenders across the county.
At a public accountability meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner this afternoon, the force’s head of safeguarding, Heather Whorriskey, revealed officers have used a polygraph test 87 times since it first started using the equipment in October 2020.
The tests work by measuring how a person responds to certain questions, such as if their blood pressure rises or if they get sweaty palms, to detect traits associated with lying.
However, the tests are controversial as they are not 100% accurate and the results can’t be used as evidence in the courts.
After a guest on ITV’s Jeremy Kyle Show died after reportedly failing a lie detector test, MPs in 2019 criticised the producers after they admitted they did not know how reliable their lie detector tests were.
Detective Superintendent Whorriskey said NYP uses the tests before a suspect is charged to investigate if they have been in communication with children using a device.
The tests are also used on “lower-level” people on the sexual offenders register to understand the risk they might pose to the public.
However, Det Supt Whorriskey said many people about to take these test reveal things before it starts as they “realise their answers are likely to give away some untruths.”
She said:
“It’s used quite significantly whenever offenders are using communication devices to assess whether or not they have engaged in further communication with children. We’re able to use that to prioritise those devices for examination within our digital forensic unit.”
Det Supt Whorriskey said the use of polygraph tests is increasing and will be used 13 times in the next three weeks alone. She added:
“It identifies unknown risks and offences we would not have known about without having used the equipment. It’s absolutely value for money.”
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‘No suspicious circumstances’ in sudden death in Harrogate, police sayNorth Yorkshire Police has said there were “no suspicious circumstances” in the sudden death of a 77-year-old woman in Bilton this week.
The woman, who has not been named, died in a flat at Dene Park on Monday afternoon.
A 76-year-old man was arrested and later released under investigation.
Police were present at the scene from Monday afternoon until last night.
Police were at the scene until last night.
In an update this afternoon, police said:
“The investigation into the sudden death of a 77-year-old woman at a flat on Dene Park in Harrogate on Monday afternoon has confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
“The 76-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation has been released without charge with no further action to be taken.
“The scene has been stood down at the address and a report has been sent to the coroner.”
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Harrogate’s former Kimberley Hotel being used for drugs and crime, say policeA Harrogate police inspector has expressed concerns that the site of the former Kimberley Hotel is being used for drugs and crime.
The 70-bedroom hotel on King’s Road closed in December 2020 after more than 50 years.
Insp. Ed Rogerson, who works for North Yorkshire Police’s Harrogate outer area, said the former hotel had become a “problem area” when he gave an overview of local policing to Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee this week.
He said the hotel was awaiting redevelopment, adding:
“This empty building has been a problem area. Although it’s boarded up people keep breaking in.
“It’s primarily young people but it’s also being used by adults. People have used the location for taking drugs.
“It’s a concern that these vulnerable people are mixing with adults in that location where there’s crime and anti-social behaviour.”
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Insp. Rogerson added officers were working with other organisations, including environmental health, “to ensure the owner and developer of that premises secure it properly”. He added:
“They’ve been reminded that if it doesn’t remain secure then enforcement action can be taken against them”.
The Kimberley Hotel in 2020.
The Kimberley Hotel opened in the 1960s when five townhouses dating back to the turn of the 20th century were converted.
It benefitted from the opening of what was then called the Harrogate Conference Centre in 1982, which is a short walk away.
Harrogate district police inspector reveals local crime hotspotsA Harrogate district police inspector has revealed the district’s crime hotspots — and what police are doing to tackle them.
Inspector Ed Rogerson addressed members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee last night.
Insp. Rogerson, who works for North Yorkshire Police’s Harrogate outer area, identified five areas as causes for concern.
1 Around McDonald’s in Harrogate
Insp. Rogerson said the area around McDonald’s and Oxford Street in Harrogate had “always been an issue” and attracted “lots of anti-social behaviour reports”. He attributed this to it being a meeting point for young people plus the fact the restaurant is open 24 hours and includes free WiFi. He said police were working with businesses to take a ‘more active role’ to address problems.
2 Strawberry Dale, Mayfield Grove and Nydd Vale Terrace in Harrogate
Insp. Rogerson said “some particular residential streets” had issues, and named Strawberry Dale, Mayfield Grove and Nydd Vale Terrace. But he said these streets had “seen a considerable reduction” after the main problematic property in that area was subject to a closure order obtained by the multi-agency community safety hub, which works collectively to address crime. He said police continued to liaise with the landlord and would continue to hold ‘community surgeries’ at which local people could talk to officers and “pass on concerns”. Insp. Rogerson also said there had been an increase in tackling traffic offences on Strawberry Dale and the nearby Asda as part of the police’s Operation Chrome operation.
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3 Bower Street in Harrogate
Insp. Rogerson said Bower Street was the only location reported more than once as making people feel unsafe. Police experts on long-term crime solving were considering what to do. He added:
“It’s still an open case with the community safety hub who are seeking funding for environmental improvements in the area to reduce reports of anti-social behaviour.”
4 Boroughbridge
Insp. Rogerson said “a small group of young people in Boroughbridge are causing anti-social behaviour and crime problems at the moment”. He said police were working with social care and schools and there were likely to be “some charges coming in the future” which would enable the perpetrators to get support from youth offending teams. He added:
“We don’t want it to escalate. We want to help the children so it protects them and the community as well.”
Councillor Robert Windass, a Conservative who represents Boroughbridge, told the meeting he had received “numerous reports” of drug taking in the Back Lane car park and urged police to “up patrols and get rid of drug dealers”. Insp. Rogerson said two new police community support officers were joining his team and he would ensure everyone was aware of the problem.
5 Knaresborough housing sites
Insp. Rogerson said there had been a spate of burglaries from new build housing developments in Knaresborough and surrounding areas. Boilers and new white goods were particularly targeted, he said.
“There’s a lot of new build sites in and around Knaresborough and these locations are vulnerable. It’s hard to keep an eye on everything even with 24-hour security.”
He said the force was “updating its problem solving plan and will be working with housing developers to reduce” such incidents.
Inspector Ed Rogerson and chief constable Lisa Winward at last night’s meeting.
‘Still one of the safest places’
North Yorkshire chief constable Lisa Winward, who also attended the meeting, said overall crime levels were “fairly consistent” in the Harrogate district but reports of anti-social behaviour were down by 43% and the number of fatal road traffic collisions had fallen by 50%.
The chief constable said North Yorkshire remained “one of the safest places in the country” and some 200 extra officers were being recruited as part of the UK government’s bid to get 20,000 more police.
She added 101 and 999 response rates were “still not where we want to be” but added she had recently signed an agreement with the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for an additional budget of £1.9m to increase staffing in the force control room.
Missing Ripon girl foundA missing girl from Ripon has been found, police have confirmed.
North Yorkshire Police has issued an urgent appeal to find the girl this morning.
However, the force confirmed she had since been found.
Officers thanked those who had shared the appeal on social media this morning.
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More than half of violent crime in North Yorkshire is against femalesMore than half of recorded violent crimes in North Yorkshire and York are against women and girls, it was revealed today.
North Yorkshire Police chief constable Lisa Winward told a meeting the under-reporting of such offences meant the known incidents were “just the tip of the iceberg”.
Ms Winward told the area’s police, fire and crime panel watchdog the force was aiming to expose what has been a hidden crime by talking with victims even if they do not wish to report an offence.
Chief constable Winward, who has led the force since 2018, was speaking following a report by police, fire and crime commissioner Zoe Metcalfe about the force’s progress against its strategy for addressing violence against women and girls, particularly in the wake of the murder of York woman Sarah Everard.
Last October, a year on from her predecessor Philip Allott being forced to resign after saying women needed to be more streetwise, the commissioner outlined various initiatives launched to improve women’s safety and ensure that they are listened to.
Ms Metcalfe told the panel a new victims’ centre was being developed on the outskirts of York to house North Yorkshire’s sexual assault referral centre and child sexual assault assessment services alongside a video-recorded interview suite for victims.
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However, members of the panel said without details about the scale of the violence against females it was impossible to assess the actions of the commissioner in holding the force to account.
Speaking on behalf of the commissioner, her office’s chief executive Simon Dennis said in York 2021/22 there had been 5,615 violent crimes, of which 52 per cent were linked to a female victim and 34 per cent were marked as domestic abuse.
He said the statistics for North Yorkshire were almost exactly the same.
Mr Dennis said a full picture of the scale of violence against women and girls was difficult to outline due to under-reporting, which was a known issue being addressed by public sector organisations across North Yorkshire and York.
Chief constable Lisa Winward
Chief constable Winward added:
“This is a hidden crime across society, nationally and in North Yorkshire, predominantly in domestic settings we find a significant amount of under-reporting because of the fear of police involvement, the fear of reprisals on the victims and this is why we are very closely linked to the national agenda violence against women and girls agenda.
“I think it is the tip of the iceberg, the figures that we have talked about. I think it is about engaging with the victims, sometimes privately, even though they might not want to publicly report or speak about it, so we can get to the root cause of the problem.”
After the meeting, the panel’s chairman, Cllr Carl Les, said despite evidence of improvements in the police response to violence against women and girls the panel would continue monitoring the force’s progress in “ensuring that they are doing what is right for the female members of our community in particular”. He added:
“Clearly this is still a matter of interest and of great concern.
“I think Commissioner Metcalfe has made some good advances on this, but as the chief constable said it’s almost like the tip of an iceberg. Police are now starting to understand more about the problem and therefore they’re putting some mitigating actions into place.”
Knaresborough man admits assaulting two police officers in HarrogateA man has admitted assaulting two police officers outside Tesco Express in Harrogate town centre.
Jonathon Bogg, 31, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating of an emergency worker on December 11, 2022.
The court heard how Bogg had been spotted by the officers on Cambridge Road and tried to run.
The 31-year-old was being pursued by police for another offence. Once caught, he punched both officers in the face and head.
Bogg, of Windsor Lane, Knaresborough, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning where he spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea.
He also admitted a further charge of being in possession of 10mg of diazepam, which is a class C controlled drug.
Bogg was bailed and ordered to appear before the court on January 27 to be sentenced.
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