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Latest News
20 arrests, 87 welfare visits & £10,000 seized during “county lines” week of action
North Yorkshire Police arrested 20 people and made 87 welfare visits to 95 vulnerable people during a national week of action to tackle “county lines” drug dealing.
County lines is the name given to a form of organised crime in which drug dealers from urban areas exploit vulnerable people – including children – and force them to deal drugs in smaller towns and cities. It takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to communicate between towns and advertise their drugs for sale.
The force worked with the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police (BTP) as part of the ‘Week of Intensification’ that took place between 17 and 23 May and was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).
The arrests took place in York, Harrogate, Whitby, Thirsk, Scarborough, and on the A1 motorway.
Officers seized a total of £10,000 cash suspected as being the proceeds of crime and a quantity of heroin, cannabis, pregabalin and a large quantity of suspected cocaine believed to be worth several thousands of pounds.
Safeguarding and welfare checks
Safeguarding vulnerable people who are caught up in drug dealing is a major concern for North Yorkshire Police and officers worked with partner agencies to carry out welfare visits to vulnerable adults who are known or suspected as being vulnerable to county lines exploitation.
They were given advice and information about staying safe, how to spot the signs of county lines activity and how to get help from specialist organisations for drug and alcohol addiction.
Young people
Young people who have been groomed and exploited by drug dealers often travel long distances on public transport to deliver money and drugs. Officers engaged with transport providers including taxi and bus drivers to raise awareness of how to spot children who may have been exploited and are travelling to North Yorkshire to sell drugs.
They also patrolled railways stations with BTP colleagues where they engaged with rail passengers and were on the look-out for potential victims of trafficking, and drugs being transported into the county.
Chief Inspector Lorraine Crossman-Smith coordinated North Yorkshire Police’s participation in the week of intensification. She said: “Disrupting drug dealing and the associated violence and exploitation continues to be a major priority for North Yorkshire Police.
“The week of intensification has given us an opportunity to demonstrate the type of work that goes on around the force on a daily basis. I am pleased with the results that come in the wake of a number of recent convictions for drug dealing including a gang of 10 and a gang of 4 that targeted York, and a gang of five that plagued Scarborough.
“That said, it is not only about arrests and convictions, it’s also about protecting those who are affected by the violence and intimidation, helping them to break the cycle of addiction and moving them away from the harm that comes from being targeted by ruthless, organised criminals. We can’t do that alone, which is why working with our partner agencies such as housing and addiction services is so important. My thanks goes to everyone who supported us this week.
“I hope the people of North Yorkshire are reassured that we mean it when we say drug dealing is a priority and that we will take action when they report information to us. You can do this by looking out for the signs of exploitation and drug dealing. If you don’t want to call us, you can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers. We can and do take action.”
SPOT THE SIGNS
Cuckooing
Cuckooing is the term given when drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person and use it at a base to sell and store drugs, often using violence and intimidation to achieve this. Cuckooing victims are often drug users themselves, or people who are vulnerable due to a mental or physical disability, their age or lifestyle, such as sex workers and single mothers.
So please look out for your vulnerable neighbours and report any concerns you have.
Signs of cuckooing to look out for include
• Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
• Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
• Different accents at a property
• Antisocial behaviour at a property
• Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
• Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
• Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods
• Unexplained or untreated injuries
Children are groomed and exploited to deal drugs on behalf of organised criminals. These are the signs to look out for
• Persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area
• Unexplained money, clothes, or mobile phones
• Excessive receipt of texts / phone calls
• Relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups
• Leaving home / care without explanation
• Suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries
• Carrying weapons
• Significant decline in school results / performance
• Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks
• Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being
• Travelling long distances on public transport – is it term time? Should they be in school? Are they paying high cost fares with cash?
Anyone with concerns about county lines can speak to their local police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency. If you’d rather stay anonymous you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If you are a young person who is worried about being involved in county lines, or knows someone who is, you can speak to an adult and let them know how you feel.
You can also contact www.fearless.org who allow you to pass on information about crime anonymously.
You can also contact Childline on 0800 1111 – they are a private and confidential service where you can talk to counsellors about anything that is worrying you.
Get help for drug addiction
• North Yorkshire Horizons https://www.nyhorizons.org.uk/
• NHS https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addiction-getting-help/
• FRANK helpline and information https://www.talktofrank.com/
• Compass Reach (young people) https://www.compass-uk.org/services/north-yorkshire-compass-reach/
ARREST ROUND-UP
Harrogate
On 17 May officers from North Yorkshire Police’s proactive team, Operation Expedite, were on patrol in plain clothes in the Avenue Grove area when their suspicions were raised by the activity of a man who was stopped and searched and found to have class A drugs on him.
Enquiries then led officers to search a nearby property where they found three other men who were also searched. Officers recovered more drugs stashed in a mattress, £200 in cash from one of the men and other suspected drugs paraphernalia including three mobile phones. A fourth man was also arrested on suspicion of theft offences.
A man in his 40s who had breached his prison licence and was wanted for recall to prison was arrested in Harrogate on Sunday morning (22 May) and returned to prison.
A man in his 30s was arrested on Otley Road on Sunday after officers were concerned about the erratic manner of driving. He failed a roadside drug wipe and was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and possessing class A drugs. He was released while under investigation.
York
On 21 May, two men and two women were arrested at a property in York following a warrant carried out under the Misuse of Drugs Act on 21 May. All four who are aged in their 30s, were arrested on suspicion of drug offences. Officers also seized a quantity of drugs and several mobile phones. Three of the suspects have been released while under investigation and a fourth has been released on conditional police bail.
On Saturday night (22 May) officers on patrol in York city centre became suspicious of a vehicle and its occupant. Officers followed the car where it came to a stop outside a hotel. The vehicle was searched and a large amount of cash was found along with a lock knife. The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property (the cash) and possessing a knife. He was questioned and released while under investigation.
A man in his 40s was arrested in York on 19 May after officers found the remains of a suspected cannabis grow at a property in York. The man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and being concerned in the production of cannabis. He was taken into custody for questioning and release while under investigation to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.
A1
Two men and a woman, all from Leeds, were arrested in the early hours of Saturday 22 May after the car they were travelling in was stopped by officers on the A1 near Wetherby. Officers searched the car and the suspects and found a large amount of cash, a meat cleaver and a small amount of cannabis. The driver, a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of a number of motoring offences including drug driving and driving while disqualified and possessing a knife. The passengers, a woman in her 30s, was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis and possessing a knife, and a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife, acquiring criminal property (the cash), he was also recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his prison license. All three were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft. The driver has been released while under investigation and the woman was released without charge.
On Saturday afternoon officers stopped a speeding vehicle on the A1 near Tadcaster. On noticing the smell of cannabis from the car, offices searched it and found a large vacuum bag of cannabis. The driver, a man in his 30s from Romford, Essex, was arrested and later charged with possessing cannabis. He is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on 8 June.
Whitby
In Whitby a man in his 20s was arrested on Friday 21 May on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply. Officers searched him and his home and recovered class A drugs, cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia. He has been released while under investigation.
Thirsk
Two men aged in their 30s were arrested in Thirsk on Wednesday 19 May after offices stopped a car when they became concerned about the manner of driving. After noticing a strong smell of cannabis, a search of the vehicle resulted in officers seizing a large bag containing 15 smaller bags of suspected cannabis along with two bags of from the driver.
Both men were arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. The driver was also arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs after failing a drug test. Both were released while under investigation
Scarborough
On Wednesday 22 May, a woman in her 50s was arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs after she was detained by officers in relation to a separate offence. She has been released on bail while enquiries continue
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Police attend sudden death of a woman in Harrogate
Police were called by the ambulance service to a report of the sudden death of a woman in Kings Road, Harrogate, at about 9.15am on Monday 24 May 2021.
A man in his 40s at the property was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
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Harrogate District Hospital hearing aid repair clinic moves to a permanent postal-only service
Following a necessary change of practice as a reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic and how well that’s been received by patients, the Audiology department at Harrogate District Hospital will not be reverting back to walk-in hearing aid repair clinics.
This walk-in service will not be available, even after the planned easing of restrictions from 21 June 2021 onwards.
Patients are asked to continue to use the postal service to order batteries and/or tubing or have aids repaired or replaced wherever possible. Please call 01423 553320 or email hdft.audiology.dept@nhs.net to contact the team if support is required.
The team have had this arrangement in place for many years in Ripon, York and Scarborough and this brings Harrogate into line with the wider service.
If the team are unable to resolve an issue by phone/post/email then a short repair appointment will be offered. This must be a booked appointment – unfortunately anyone who chooses to attend without a booked appointment will not be able to be seen.
Christine Brindle, Lead/Specialist Audiologist, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic meant we had to change our working practices for the walk-in hearing aid repair clinic because we couldn’t see people face-to-face. This change has actually been well-received by the majority of patients.
“We’ve chosen to move in line with our wider service across the county and switch to a postal service first and foremost. This helps reduce the number of people coming into the hospital who don’t have to – before the pandemic we’d often see queues of 30 to 40 people, which isn’t now appropriate. It also means patients don’t have to make the journey to come in.
“We do ask that people who use our hearing aid repair clinic use the postal service available, first calling us or emailing us to make arrangements. We are now unable to see walk-ins. Thank you for your understanding.”
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Police attend sudden death of a woman in Harrogate
Police were called by the ambulance service to a report of the sudden death of a woman in Kings Road, Harrogate, at about 9.15am on Monday 24 May 2021.
A man in his 40s at the property was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
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Harrogate District Hospital hearing aid repair clinic moves to a permanent postal-only service
Following a necessary change of practice as a reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic and how well that’s been received by patients, the Audiology department at Harrogate District Hospital will not be reverting back to walk-in hearing aid repair clinics.
This walk-in service will not be available, even after the planned easing of restrictions from 21 June 2021 onwards.
Patients are asked to continue to use the postal service to order batteries and/or tubing or have aids repaired or replaced wherever possible. Please call 01423 553320 or email hdft.audiology.dept@nhs.net to contact the team if support is required.
The team have had this arrangement in place for many years in Ripon, York and Scarborough and this brings Harrogate into line with the wider service.
If the team are unable to resolve an issue by phone/post/email then a short repair appointment will be offered. This must be a booked appointment – unfortunately anyone who chooses to attend without a booked appointment will not be able to be seen.
Christine Brindle, Lead/Specialist Audiologist, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic meant we had to change our working practices for the walk-in hearing aid repair clinic because we couldn’t see people face-to-face. This change has actually been well-received by the majority of patients.
“We’ve chosen to move in line with our wider service across the county and switch to a postal service first and foremost. This helps reduce the number of people coming into the hospital who don’t have to – before the pandemic we’d often see queues of 30 to 40 people, which isn’t now appropriate. It also means patients don’t have to make the journey to come in.
“We do ask that people who use our hearing aid repair clinic use the postal service available, first calling us or emailing us to make arrangements. We are now unable to see walk-ins. Thank you for your understanding.”
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Double challenge to help keep counsellors in North Yorkshire schools
A bold attempt to raise the money needed to help keep counsellors working in North Yorkshire and Tees Valley schools is being planned, with an audacious attempt at the county’s ‘six peaks’ over just 24 hours.
The challenge – which would see a team of eight people tackle the Yorkshire 3 peaks, then turn around and tackle them again – is expected to take place in September with the objective of helping to finance mental health counsellors who work with some of the county’s schoolchildren along with those in the Tees Valley.
The service was introduced after the tragic loss of a parent of pupils at Hutton Rudby primary school several years ago, through a charity called the Russ Devereux Headlight Project, set up in 2018 by Catherine Devereux, the wife of Russ, whose death affected many people.
At the time, a group of volunteers including headteacher Matthew Kelly showed their support by taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge and raised £15,000, which helped allow Headlight to employ counsellors to work with children across six schools, in North Yorkshire and Teesside.
Now a fresh team of eight, including Mr Kelly, teaching colleagues and other staff, are to attempt the double circuit of Yorkshire’s three peaks.
After a training run where they managed the three peaks in ten hours, they decided to double the distance with a 24-hour deadline to reach the finish line, in the hope the feat – which they believe to be unique if completed – will raise more money for Headlight.
They are hoping to outstrip the previous total, which will help secure the counselling service in an era where many professionals expect increased mental health problems among children affected by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.
Mr Kelly said: “It is more pertinent now, due to Covid-19 and we really want to raise the profile of the Headlight Project.
“We embarked on the Yorkshire three peaks with a target of completing it in 12 hours but did it in ten.
“So we thought we could do it back-to-back, 48 miles in under 24 hours. It will be a heck of an effort and challenge climbing 15,000 feet in total.”
The route will allow supporters to join the team for different parts of the challenge: “People coming will help spur us along and the more people we can get involved, the more money we will raise.
“All the money we raise will be going to the Headlight Project charity. It has been such a difficult year for everyone.
“We feel that by undertaking this charity walk, we can help raise awareness of the importance of focussing upon children’s mental health at an early age and through the money that we raise, continue to support the counsellors who are working with children and families in schools.”
Lucie Trenholme, is a counsellor working for the Headlight project and said: “The Headlight Project predominately works with people with traumatic bereavement following suicide or sudden death. “It comprises of a highly skilled team (counsellors, play therapists and a psychological therapist) that compassionately works with adults and children, either one to one or in groups, to work through the trauma and find a way to move forward to live a happier life, where they feel empowered to manage life’s ‘ups and downs’.”
The three peaks are the highest in Yorkshire – Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen y Ghent.
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Police received a report at 11.15am on the 21st that two canoeists had got into difficulty in the River Ure near West Tanfield.
Officers immediately attended the location with colleagues from the fire, ambulance and rescue services.
One man had got out of the water and was taken to hospital for treatment. Sadly, the body of another man was located by an NPAS police aircraft, in the river north-west of Nunwick. His family has been informed.
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An on-demand bus service that allows users to choose when and where they want to travel, will be piloted in the Ripon, Bedale and Masham area from July 1st.
YorBus will be run by North Yorkshire County Council and will allow users to book via a dedicated app, which will be available to download from June 28th. The app has been created by Via, the leader in TransitTech.
YorBus is a demand responsive transport (DRT) service that allows passengers to book a ride on-demand, anywhere within operating area.
Once a desired pickup and drop-off location has been selected, riders will be directed to a nearby bus stop for quick and efficient pooled rides that reduce detours and also carbon emissions.
YorBus will complement and extend the existing public transport network in the region. The mobile app allows passengers to plan and track their bus journey. It also enables them to track the bus while waiting for its arrival and to track how the journey is going while on the bus.
County Councillor Don MacKenzie, Executive Member for Access, stated: “The YorBus project is intended to provide transport to help people to travel to work, to go shopping, to attend medical appointments and to access other services, which they need. We hope it will offer a viable and affordable alternative to the private motor car.”
“The flexibility of the scheme also means that a high proportion of seats on buses will be occupied on every journey, which will lead to better value for money and greater environmental benefits too.”
The service will run from 6.55am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am-6pm on Saturdays. There will be a flat fare for using the service; £1.20 for adults and 65p for children between the ages of 5-17. Customers can choose to pay through the app or on the bus. Children under 5 can travel for free and concessionary bus passes can be used on the service, subject to existing Terms and Conditions.
In addition, YorBus is fully accessible, with low floor access and a ramp access for users of wheelchairs, pushchairs and those with mobility difficulties.
To promote the launch of YorBus, North Yorkshire County Council are running roadshows to speak to residents about the service, stopping off at the following locations:
- Tuesday 22nd June 09:30-11:30: Bedale
- Wednesday 23rd June 09:30-11:30: Masham
- Thursday 24th June 09:30-11:30: Ripon
- Thursday 24th June 13:00-14:00: Grewelthorpe
- Thursday 24th June 14:30-15:30: Kirkby Malzeard
- Friday 25th June 09:30-11:30: Lightwater Valley
- Friday 25th June 13:30-15:30: Fountains Abbey
For further information on the YorBus service, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/YorBus
Via works with more than 200 partners across the globe and in the UK, including Transport for Wales, Milton Keynes Council, Stagecoach, and Go-Coach to power flexible, technology-enabled solutions that increase efficiency, reduce operational cost, and expand access to public transport.
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Zero Carbon Harrogate
Zero Carbon Harrogate (ZCH) is an independent, charitable organisation, run by a group of local residents, on a voluntary, part-time basis, to address climate change by working through advocacy and small-scale projects to reduce carbon emissions across the Harrogate District.
Established in 2016 ZCH now has a formal structure in place with active working groups in the areas of; buildings, energy, food, transport and natural climate solutions, supported by an engagement group. These groups work collaboratively and apolitically with local residents, community groups, schools. businesses, councillors and key decision makers, to raise awareness of the looming climate crisis and encourage a positive approach to limiting and mitigating its impact.
ZCH’s aim is to help the Harrogate District become a leading sustainable carbon neutral district where the annual volume of greenhouse gases per person is minimised and any remaining emissions effectively neutralised so that residents experience an improved and more equitable quality of life.
ZCH is an active member of the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition (HDCCC) and seeks to work in partnership with other like-minded groups and organisations form outside the district to benefit from their expertise and experience.
Full details of the organisations and its activities, together with information on how to get involved, can be found at www.zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk or by emailing zerocharrogate@gmail.com
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Harrogate College and Zero Carbon Harrogate to Co-host Climate Cafés Harrogate College and Zero Carbon Harrogate are collaborating to support mental health, with regular climate cafés, which are open to anyone across the Harrogate District. These cafés will be the first of their kind in the district providing a simple, hospitable, and empathetic space for individuals to express their fears and uncertainties about climate change.
The first climate café will be held online from 4-5pm, on Thursday 27 May, with future cafés planned to be held in person, once coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. Numbers for each session will be limited to ensure those attending have the space to talk, should they wish to do so.
Fiona Jones, Events Manager for Zero Carbon Harrogate, said:
“This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and as our understanding of the climate crisis grows, we believe it is important to acknowledge the complex emotions that can surface as a result of our deepening knowledge. These feelings are a natural and healthy response to what we see happening in the world today and it is crucial we give ourselves the time and space to explore and talk about these emotions.”
Holly Hansen-Maughan, Performance and Project Co-ordinator at Harrogate College said:
“As a college, our purpose is to serve our local community and that’s why we are really pleased to be working in collaboration with Zero Carbon Harrogate to do this. Climate Cafés are going to be small groups of people coming together to talk about their feelings around eco-anxiety.”
These cafés follow on from an eco-anxiety webinar hosted by Zero Carbon Harrogate in April, where participants heard from Caroline Hickman, a psychotherapist & lecturer from the University of Bath and Climate Psychology Alliance, and Elouise Mayall, an Ecology Masters student from the University of East Anglia. Also taking part, to offer community-based support, were local mental health groups, including ‘Liferiders’ and ‘myLifePool Harrogate’.
More information and details of how to register for the climate cafés can be found at www.zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk/climate-cafes and on Zero Carbon Harrogate’s Facebook events page.
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Police have issued CCTV of a man they would like to speak to following a high-value theft from ASDA in Harrogate.
The incident took place at the supermarket on Bower Road. Large quantities of valuable stock was taken from the shop without payment.
It happened between 12.30pm and 1pm on Monday, 29 March.
Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the person in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 383 McCabe.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference number 12210108977 when passing on information.
Contact details: – Joseph McCabe – #0383 – joseph.mccabe@northyorkshire.police.uk | 101 -Incident reference: – 12210108977
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Public asked to think carefully before coming to Harrogate District Hospital’s Emergency Department
Doctors and the wider team at Harrogate District Hospital are reminding people to think carefully before going to the Emergency Department for their care. The hospital’s Emergency Department has seen a significant increase in patient numbers over the past couple of months, and people with less urgent issues are experiencing longer waiting times. The department was seeing around 130 patients per day in March 2021, this has grown to over 160 per day in May 2021. Unless it’s a life-threatening illness or injury, people are being urged to contact NHS 111 first. The NHS will help you right away and if you need urgent care, the NHS can book you in to be seen quickly and safely.
Contacting NHS 111 first will help NHS urgent and emergency care services maintain social distancing and ensure that patients receive the right care in the right place, in a timely and safe way. NHS 111 is accessible via the 111.nhs.uk website or by calling 111.
People with life-threatening illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and anyone who arrives at A&E without calling NHS 111 will still receive medical care, with those needing emergency treatment prioritised.
Dr Matt Shepherd, Consultant Emergency Medicine and Clinical Director Long Term & Unscheduled Care, said: “Over the past couple months the number of patients seeking treatment at our Emergency Department has increased considerably. We are now seeing approximately 8% more patients attending our Emergency Department then were doing so before Covid-19 began, which makes it very difficult to ensure we can safely keep social distancing measures in place. “Colleagues in the department – and the wider hospital – are working incredibly hard to provide care but we do ask that people think about other healthcare options available to them.
“The most urgent and life-threatening cases take priority, which means that unfortunately people coming in with less urgent issues are experiencing longer waiting times. Our Emergency Department is for emergencies only, such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant head injuries and broken bones. “Using an alternative to the Emergency Department when you aren’t seriously ill, such as calling NHS 111, consulting your GP or visiting your community pharmacist, could mean that you end up waiting less time to receive care.
“You can also check any symptoms and find out what to do and when to get help using the NHS website – nhs.uk. It can find services near you, such as local pharmacies, who can offer advice for common health problems such as sore throats and headaches, aches and pains, bumps and bruises or sickness and diarrhoea.”
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