This week’s community update highlights North Yorkshire Police’s recent engagement in Pateley Bridge following a local tragedy, plus important online safety advice for families and how to protect your belongings when out and about this summer.

Police engagement in Pateley Bridge following local tragedy

In response to public feeling surrounding the death of Bailey Chadwick,  officers from North Yorkshire Police recently spent time in Pateley Bridge to engage directly with residents. The visit offered local people a chance to speak openly about their grief and share wider community concerns in a supportive setting.

The day was well received, with a positive increase in local signups to the North Yorkshire Community Messaging service. Officers also gathered valuable community intelligence, which they plan to follow up on in due course.

Looking ahead, the Harrogate Outer Safer Neighbourhood Team is planning to run regular police drop-in sessions in the town using the mobile police office. PC Mike Spittlehouse said he hopes to set up the unit on Pateley Bridge High Street once a month – weather permitting. The team is also encouraging other communities to request a visit from the mobile police office by suggesting local locations for setup.

Online safety this summer: Advice for parents and guardians

North Yorkshire Police are also sharing updated guidance from the Get Safe Online team, aimed at helping families keep children safe while they explore the internet during the summer holidays.

Key advice includes:

• Having open conversations about what children are doing online
• Encouraging the use of age-appropriate apps and games
• Being aware of emotional impacts and risky trends on social platforms
• Using parental controls and safety tools to manage devices
• Teaching children how to think critically about online content

For more practical advice and downloadable resources, visit the official site: Get Safe Online – Safe Happy Kids Online

Stay safe this summer: Be aware of seasonal crime trends

When the sun’s shining, we all want to make the most of it – but warmer weather, school holidays and busier streets can also bring a spike in crime, particularly in July and August. To help keep high streets safe, the Home Office has announced increased police presence and stronger prevention measures this summer.

With phone theft claims in the UK up 425% since 2021, summer’s busy streets make it even more important to stay vigilant. The Metropolitan Police recommend keeping street use to a minimum, avoiding texting while walking and watching for passing bikes or mopeds.

Use a strap or lanyard as a deterrent and always switch on security features like keypad locks and biometric ID to make stolen devices harder to access. A few simple precautions can help keep your phone – and your data – safe this summer.

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