Legal action plea against 'appalling' scenes on Harrogate's Stray

The group, which first formed in 1933 to safeguard Harrogate's Stray against building and encroachment from all quarters and uphold the Act granting freedom of the Stray to all people for all time, described recent behaviour on the parkland during lockdown for coronavirus as "appalling."

The SDA's chair, Judy d'Arcy Thompson said: "We all want the Stray to be enjoyed, as it should be, by young and old alike and it is understandable that after the recent lockdown restrictions people are using the Strays green open space to relax and enjoy themselves.

"However, with most of the summer still ahead of us we feel that the authorities need to take control of the situation quickly and prevent this blatant misuse.

"This appalling behaviour must be stopped. We have contacted the police and Harrogate Borough Council and have asked that legal action is taken."

North Yorkshire Police last week issued a warning to young people and parents about the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide after empty canisters were discovered in Harrogate on the Stray.

Concerned for young people’s safety, police also called for parents to be vigilant for the signs that their children may be purchasing the substance online.

Harrogate Borough Council, meanwhile, said it was stepping up litter collections on the Stray.

But the SDA says their's, and other citizens' efforts on behalf of the Stray, were being "swamped" by some people's behaviour.

The SDA's chair, Judy d'Arcy Thompson said:

"We have received emails and messages from people who are feeling afraid and intimidated night after night. Nobody should have to put up with this."

"Some wonderfully community -minded people have helped by collecting litter, however, very sadly, the efforts of decent people are being swamped by the avalanche of rubbish and worse, that others leave.

"In addition to the unacceptable litter and drug taking paraphernalia we now have areas of the Stray openly being used as public lavatories. Totally intolerable and extremely unhygienic. Please use but do not abuse our Stray."

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