Police 7: Community Policing – late March ’24

The NYE’s Police 7 articles are intended to be a one stop shop for our readers covering crime prevention advice, court reports, police appeals for assistance, local community policing news, information on victim support, updates from the North Yorkshire Police (NYP) and the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for North Yorkshire and the Coroner.

Police 7 is one of our most popular features with our readers, who appreciate getting regular updates from the police via the NYE.

We lead these articles with a photograph of the late Shaw Taylor, as a tribute to him. Shaw was a groundbreaking forensic journalist, who pioneered police media appeals for information in the programme Police 5. His work led to the successful conclusion of many casses in the UK, Europe and the United States through local programmes that followed the pioneering format of his original programme Police 5 in 1962.

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Police 7: Community Policing – late March ’24

The following witness appeals and court reports may be of particular relevance to our readers and can be accessed in full from the NYP website. Address below:

• https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/news/news-search

Appeals

Scarborough Assault

A local man in his 20s was assaulted on Seamer Road near the bus stop past Lidl, at around 8pm on Friday 8th March 2024. He received minor injuries that were treated at hospital.

NYP would like to speak to a witness who got out of a passing van and intervened to protect the victim, preventing further injury to him. The witness is described as a white man, bald, wearing sunglasses and a hi-vis jacket.

We are also seeking information about four suspects. They are described as:

• Female 1: White, 5ft 2ins tall, 15-17 years old, dark blonde shoulder-length hair, nose piercing, wearing a black puffa jacket.
• Female 2: Black, 15-16 years old, with afro hair in a ponytail, wearing a black coat.
• Male 1: Mixed race, 5ft 8ins tall, thin build, 16-17 years old, short dark afro hair, wearing dark clothing.
• Male 2: White, short hair, about 16 years old, wearing a dark snood or mask covering his face and a grey tracksuit.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should mail Fiona.Wilding@northyorkshire.police.uk. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12240042302.

Woman attacked in Scarborough

A woman in her 30s was assaulted at approximately 10.15am on Thursday 29th February 2024 by an unknown male near the Barbelle gym on Northway.

NYP is appealing for any information from members of the public who tried to help or anyone who was driving in the area that may have caught any relevant dashcam footage.

Please email andrew.gambles@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help the investigation.

Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Andrew Gambles, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Please quote reference 12240036937 when passing on information.

Crime Prevention

Drink-Spiking

Drink-Spiking is the process of adding an additional substance, such as drugs or alcohol, to someone’s drink without their knowledge or permission.

This is a hugely under-reported problem which affects a variety of people, usually taking place in busy places where drinks are consumed. These include nightclubs, pubs, bars, restaurants, sporting events and parties but, it can happen anywhere there is an offender.

It is a common misconception only alcoholic drinks are spiked. In fact, an offender can spike any drink, alcoholic or not. A sexual link is often also assumed by many, but again, this is not always the case. Even if the offender does not plan on personally harming the victim or taking their property, a crime has been committed which could harm the victim in other ways.

These include:

• What if the victim got behind the wheel of a car without realising, they had been spiked? Their life and others have been put at risk.
• What if the victim was taking medication and by consuming alcohol or drugs this was affected? Again, potentially putting their life at risk.
• What if the victim was to undergo a medical/drug or alcohol test and their drink had been spiked?

A lot of people may not realise they have been a victim of spiking. There are many reasons for this; they may think they have drunk more than they thought, or are unwell, but the truth is they are the victim of a very serious offence.

If you think your drink may have been spiked you are likely to feel the effects quickly, so, if possible, tell someone you trust immediately. If you require emergency help, and can, call 999.

If someone has told you they believe they have been spiked, whether you know them or not, it is important you raise the alarm. Speak with a member of bar staff, steward or door supervisor in the first instance or call 999 if urgent medical attention is required.

If you spot someone acting suspiciously please report this to a member of bar staff, steward or door supervisor. If a crime has been committed or a police response is required, please report the offence to NYP so a full investigation can be carried out.

Cold Callers

Three men from Middlesbrough have been arrested after a man entered the home of a Harrogate woman in her 80s on the pretence of selling household items.

The suspect claimed to be selling the goods following his release from prison. He pressurised the victim into handing over her bank card and pin number and withdrew the maximum amount he could.

He fled from the property when he saw a friend of the victim arrive on the drive.

Police investigating the incident that happened on 6th March, gathered information that led to the identification of a vehicle connected to the incident. When the car was seen re-entering Harrogate a few days later, officers intercepted it and arrested all three occupants.

The suspects were taken into custody for questioning. The driver, 51, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and drug driving after testing positive for cocaine at the roadside. The passengers, one aged 37, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and a 31-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary with intent to steal. They have since been released on conditional police bail to allow for further enquires to be carried out.

Cold callers who go door-to-door can be pushy and threatening. NYP frequently investigates frauds, thefts and burglaries that have occurred because of doorstep calls. If you receive a call from someone you are not expecting:

• Check who they are before you open the door.
• Don’t open the door unless you know who they are and are expecting them.
• Don’t part with any money or bank account details.
• Don’t be afraid to say no.
• If anyone who cold calls tries to enter your home without your permission, is threatening or refuses to leave your property, call 999.
• Fit and use a door chain.
• Always lock all of your external doors, even when you are at home.

Sadly older people are targeted due to their trusting nature, so if you have older parents, relatives or friends, please share this message with them and check they know how to stay safe if cold callers knock on their door.