String of armed robberies in Harrogate prompts greater police presence
North Yorkshire Police has promised a bigger presence on the streets of Harrogate after a recent string of armed robberies and aggravated burglaries.
In a report on Police Performance, County Commander Supt Mike Walker revealed plans for the coming year as well as reviewing the year’s crime statistics.
In total, there was a slight increase of 2.6 per cent in crimes compared with last year, with sharp rises in sexual offences, robbery and violence against the person.
However, as well as explaining a new method of police working, Supt Walker said that safeguarding affluent communities in Harrogate from organised crime groups was now a top priority.
He said: “It’s something we have suffered from but safeguarding the affluent communities within the district, including the retail community, is now a top priority.
“A real concern is that we do have organised criminal gangs targeting people living in these affluent communities.
“We believe those people responsible for the other armed robberies and burglaries are living out of the Harrogate district to target victims but we are working tirelessly to bring those people to justice.”
The force has now secured additional finances to tackle retail crime in the town centre by investing in overtime for high-visibility patrols.