Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, sign up today to unlock exclusive content and be part of our community discussions

Exclusive discounts
Enjoy commenting on local issues

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Jan 2024

News

How widespread is knife crime in Harrogate district?

Published: 20 Jan 2024, 14:00 GMT

by Flora Grafton

The Stray Ferret has been looking into the number of knife-related crimes in the Harrogate district.

We submitted a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire Police following the sentencing of Dylan Cranfield, who was jailed last year for the murder of 17-year-old Harrogate schoolboy Seb Mitchell.

The stabbing shocked the town and raised concerns about knife crime. But what is the true picture?

Annual statistics: possession of a knife

Despite the concerns, the figures supplied by the police suggest knife crime incidents are generally becoming less frequent.

The data shows the number of charges for possession of an article with a blade or point in the Harrogate district between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2023.

Although rates are falling locally, Andy Simpson, detective chief inspector of North Yorkshire Police, told the Stray Ferret “serious offences are still being committed in the county”, adding:

“North Yorkshire Police continues to take the initiative to dissuade from the carrying and use of knives. This is done through educating and supporting communities where necessary, but also enforcing the law where needed.

“North Yorkshire Police takes a proactive stance against knife crime to keep communities safe and protect people from harm.

“We will use stop and search powers, where proportionate and necessary, to remove knives from our neighbourhoods and address offending.”

Knife amnesty bin

A knife amnesty bin was installed on Harrogate's Dragon Road last January to deter people from carrying knives or weapons.

Between January and November 2023, more than 500 knives and bladed articles were deposited at that location.

As 2023 saw the second-lowest number of charges within the period, figures could suggest the amnesty bins are helping to prevent such crimes.

Detective chief inspector Simpson said:

“As a police service, we deliberately seek information that supports our proactive targeting of offenders and reduce the risk of knife crime. We also seek to influence and support our communities’ stance against knife crime to enable them to be safe and make people think twice about carrying knives.

“Through Operation Divan, we intervene with young people and work with partners to highlight the risks associated with carrying knives. And we work within the community to raise awareness with retailers of the legislation around their sale.

“The promotion of knife amnesties supported by knife bins at stations across the force area, including in Harrogate, assist in this regard also.

“Everyone can play a part in tackling knife-related crime.”

Harrogate anti-knife crime scheme to be expanded across county

Police say Seb Mitchell murder sends 'clear message' on knife crime

Brother of murdered Seb Mitchell issues knife plea to young people

Violent knife crimes

The below figures show the various types of violent knife crimes, and how many were committed, in the Harrogate district within the same period.

North Yorkshire Police said the force excluded an annual breakdown of the offences to “ensure anonymity for those involved in each case”.

The number of charges for violent knife crimes recorded by police in the same period is 34 – almost half the number of possession charges.

However, given the violent nature of each offence, some readers may still feel concerned over the numbers shown, despite them remaining relatively low.

Punishment is ‘simple smack on the wrist’

North Yorkshire Police also revealed just one person was charged with knife-related murder within the same period: Dylan Cranfield.

Cranfield stabbed the Harrogate Grammar School pupil, Seb, in the chest with a kitchen knife following an argument over a broken mirror. It caused a fatal level of blood loss and cardiac arrest, and led to Seb dying in hospital two days later.

Cranfield, 17, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 11 years. The judge took the unusual step of lifting reporting restrictions on a child so Cranfield could be named and the case warn others of the dangers of knives.

But one campaigner said knife crime laws need to be much tighter.

Theresa Cave, founder of the Chris Cave Foundation, has campaigned against knife and gun crime for more than 20 years after her son was stabbed to death in 2003.

Ms Cave told the Stray Ferret:

“I dread to think how bad it would be had we not been working so hard to change mindsets and offer young people new avenues to go down.

“Laws need to be strengthened and deterrents put in place that will make young people think twice before carrying or using a weapon, as it is a simple smack on the wrist as it stands.

“This will not go away unless these things, and of course more, are put in place.”