Police 7: April 2025

Police 7: April 2025

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.

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 program Police 5. His work led to the successful conclusion of many casses in the UK, Europe and the United States through local programs that followed the pioneering format of his original program Police 5 in 1962.

Police 7: Community Policing News June 2024

Court Reports

Carer jailed for fraud

A carer who used the bank details of vulnerable care home residents to gamble and buy takeaway food was sentenced. to two years imprisonment at York Crown Court on Tuesday 15 April 2025. 

Cheryl Louise Pratt, 35, from York, was a senior support worker at a care home. But she used her position to target elderly and vulnerable residents by taking money from their bank.

Pratt’s crimes were discovered when the brother of one of the victims noticed unexpectedactivity on her bank account.

It was discovered that Pratt had set up online accounts in the names of residents. She transferred money from the residents’ bank accounts into those online accounts, and then into her own account. She used a resident’s bank details to make online purchases, ordering takeaway food, clothes and gifts for her family.

When interviewed by police, she claimed that all cash withdrawals had been made with the account holder’s permission. But a doctor responsible for overseeing their medical care gave evidence that none of the victims would have been able to provide true consent for anyone to take money from their accounts.

Appeals

Stolen mountain bike in Scarborough

NYP has issued a CCTV image of two men it would like to speak to in connection with the theft of a mountain bike in Scarborough.

Arson attack in Whitby, renewed appeal

NYP has renewed its appeal for information about an arson attack at about 7 p.m. on Sunday 23 March in the Green Lane area of Whitby.

An ignition source was caused in a barn which at the time was storing in the region of 300 bales of straw. The barn and immediate vicinity also had farming machinery and a dog kennel area, which were also destroyed causing tens of thousands of pounds of damage and loss to the owner. PC Jonathan Formstone said:

“The community of Whitby can pride itself on how tight-knit a community it is, and how they all pull together in times of need. This was absolutely evident on the night, with many people attending to lend a hand.

In my ten years of serving the public of Whitby, never have I encountered such a tragic loss to property as these circumstances. The ongoing impact such an incident has on the owners and the local community is immeasurable.”

Theft in Whitby

NYP has issued CCTV images of two people it would like to speak to, following a theft in Whitby at around 3pm on Thursday 6 March 2025, in the B&M store on Stainsacre Lane.

Robbery in Whitby

NYP is appealing for witnesses to a robbery that occurred on New Quay Road, Whitby at about 2.10pm on Tuesday 1 April 2025.

A suspect observed the victim enter their PIN into an ATM then pushed the victim away from the ATM, withdrew money and left in the direction of the train station. The victim is a man in his 70s, who was left shaken but thankfully sustained no injuries.

The suspect is described as a white man, 6ft tall, stocky build, short hair, clean shaven with a Geordie accent, wearing a dark-coloured jacket and dark trousers.

Stolen Motorbike in Scarborough

A  grey Yamaha FZ1S motorbike registration ‘NL09 UDV’ was stolen overnight on Monday 24 March 2025 from outside an address on Hoxton Road, Scarborough.

If you can help with any of these appeals, please call NYP on 101. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

Crime Prevention

Knife Crime: Reducing the number of knives on our street

Knife bins are available across York and North Yorkshire. Bladed items can be deposited safely and anonymously, and will then be collected and destroyed by the police. Local knife bins can be found at:

• Whitby: West Cliff Car Park
• Scarborough:  William Street Coach and Car Park

Drink Spiking

NYP has been running a campaign to raise awareness of drink spiking. Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.

People can also be a victim of ‘needle spiking’, which is injecting someone with drugs without their consent.

Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere and can be carried out by strangers or people you know.

It can be difficult to tell if your drink has been spiked but if you notice any changes to the appearance or taste of your drink, stop drinking it. If you’re in a bar or club tell staff or security immediately.

There are a range of things to look out for, including:

• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hallucinations and paranoia
• Disorientation or poor coordination
• Loss of ability to communicate properly
• Unconsciousness

It can be difficult to spot the symptoms as they vary depending on what you have been spiked with and can be similar to having excess alcohol. If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you thought you should be, seek help straight away.

If you think you or a friend has been spiked it’s important to tell someone as soon as you can.

• Alert a member of staff or security if you’re at a venue.
• Stay with your friend and keep talking to them.
• Don’t let them go home on their own or leave with someone you don’t know.
• Report to the police.

If you or someone else have symptoms:

• Call 111
• Call an ambulance if the symptoms get worse.

If you think there may have been a sexual assault:

• Go to your nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC) for specialist care and support.

There are steps you can take to help reduce the risk of spiking, whilst keeping yourself and others safe

• Watch out for your friends and look after each other.
• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Be cautious if you are bought or given a drink – consider only accept drinks from people you know and trust.
• Be wary if people are reaching over your drinks.
• Alert staff immediately if you see anyone acting suspiciously around your or someone else’s drink.