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29
Sept
False alarm at college as police are called on man visiting friend
Staff and students at Harrogate College raised the alarm this afternoon, when an unfamiliar man was spotted on the premises, apparently filming.
The man was first sighted at a quarter to two, and fearing the worst, staff called the police to the further education college on Hornbeam Park, which caters for students aged 16 and over.
Half an hour after the first sighting, one anxious parent posted an update on Facebook, saying:
Police on site, male hasn’t been located, children are being escorted to trains or those walking have been told to be vigilant!
Another replied:
Apparently someone dressed in black taking pictures and everyone is having to stay in the college.
But it turned out there was nothing to worry about. In a statement, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:
Police in Harrogate were called at around 1.45pm on 29 September by staff at a college on Hornbeam Park Avenue, who were concerned about a man who had entered the college grounds and claimed to be looking for a friend while filming at the same time.
Officers attended the area, but the man had since left after being asked to leave by college staff. Officers were able to identify him and confirm that it was a 21-year-old man who had travelled to the area to visit a friend.
Officers are satisfied at this stage that no criminal offences had been committed. The staff did the right thing in calling the police when they became concerned about his presence in the college grounds.
Anyone with further information about the incident should quote the reference NYP290920260268 when contacting North Yorkshire Police.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Harrogate College for comment.
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