North Yorkshire Police

22/10/2026

Class A result: Operation Sentry team brings West Yorkshire county lines drug dealer to justice 🚨

A West Yorkshire county lines drug dealer has been jailed for five years and seven months for operating the ‘Larry Line’ between Huddersfield and York involving thousands of pounds worth of crack co***ne and he**in.

Dakari Roy Brown, 25, of Bulay Road, Huddersfield, was sentenced at York Crown Court today (Thursday 22 October 2026) having pleaded guilty to three offences earlier this month.

These are conspiracy to supply co***ne, conspiracy to supply he**in, and acquire, use or possess criminal property.

Brown’s criminal activity was uncovered by North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Sentry Serious Organised Crime Team.

They began investigating a drugs line, which through phone data analysis, they were able to establish was operating between Brown’s hometown of Huddersfield and York.

Dubbed the ‘Larry Line’, this spanned a nine-month period from 18 December 2025 up until his arrest on 10 September 2026 when a drugs warrant was executed at his home address.

During the search of the address, two personal mobile phones, a deal line handset and two SIM cards attributed to belong to Brown were located inside his bedroom.

Cash and suspected Class A drugs were also located.

As well as the custodial sentence, Brown was also handed a forfeiture and destruction order for drug-dealing related items valued at £1,930.

🗣️ A spokesperson for the Operation Sentry Serious Organised Crime Team said: “County lines drug dealers like Dakari Brown exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our communities to make as much money as possible.

“Unfortunately for them, the Operation Sentry team is relentless in the pursuit of organised criminals, and we will use all our powers and capability to detect and dismantle such illegal activity within York and North Yorkshire and across the policing borders as demonstrated in this case.”

County lines ⬇️

County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised crime groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.

They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs. This is often referred to as ‘drug running’. Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations. This is known as ‘cuckooing’.

Since launching in September 2024, Operation Sentry has dismantled 23 county lines, with 32 offenders arrested, charged and remanded, receiving a combined 888 months in prison.

The signs of drug dealing can include ⬇️

• Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
• Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
• Different accents at a property
• Anti-social behaviour at a property
• Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
• Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
• Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods


Reporting information about drug-related crime ⬇️

Anyone with any information about suspected drug-related crime are urged to make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101 and speaking to the Force Control Room.

Always dial 999 if an emergency response is required.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.


Get professional support for drug and alcohol related issues ⬇️

• Drink Drug Hub website https://drinkdrughub.co.uk/
• North Yorkshire Rise– young people's specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2) – https://humankindcharity.org.uk/service/nyrise/
• North Yorkshire Horizons- adult specialist drug and alcohol service - freephone 08000 14 14 80 – https://nyhorizons.org.uk/
• City of York Drug and Alcohol Service– https://www.changegrowlive.org/york/info
• NHS– https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/
• FRANK helpline and information - https://www.talktofrank.com/

22/10/2026

Two men sentenced for terrifying knifepoint aggravated burglary in Scarborough 👇

Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a terrifying aggravated burglary in Scarborough, during which the victim was threatened at knifepoint in his own home.

At around 10.40pm on 28 August 2025, the victim was woken by Matthew Williams, 35, and Kyle Smith, 19, who had forced entry into his property in the Esplande area of the town.

During the incident, a kitchen knife was held to the victim’s throat as he was threatened and his flat was searched.

Items stolen included a 55-inch television, a wallet containing bank cards, alcohol, to***co, and the knife used to threaten the victim during the offence

The offenders then fled the scene in a vehicle which had been stolen in the days prior to the burglary.

Extensive enquiries by officers led to the identification of a silver Ford Transit van, captured on CCTV travelling to and from the location at the time.

Further CCTV evidence later showed the same vehicle parking on the Edgehill estate. Two men were seen hiding kitchen knives behind a bin before walking away from the area.

Officers attended and recovered the knives, including one that matched the description given by the victim.

Shortly after midnight, officers located and arrested Matthew Williams and Kyle Smith nearby on Seamer Road. They were wearing clothing that matched descriptions of the suspects seen on CCTV leaving the vehicle.

At the time of his arrest, Williams was found to be in possession of Class A and Class B drugs.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the stolen television and wallet. Forensic examination of items recovered from the van identified Kyle Smith’s fingerprints, providing key evidence in the investigation.

A detailed CCTV compilation further linked both men to the burglary, the vehicle, and the disposal of the weapons.

Forensic analysis of the knives revealed Williams’ DNA on both weapons, and Smith’s DNA on one. Williams’ DNA was also recovered from a cushion zip inside the victim’s flat.

In his police interview, Williams sought to explain the presence of his DNA on the knife, stating that he had previously helped the victim prepare a Sunday dinner and had used the knife to chop onions; however, this account was refuted by the victim.

Faced with overwhelming evidence, both defendants pleaded guilty.

In a victim impact statement read at court, the victim described how the terrifying ordeal left him believing he was going to die. Although he was not physically injured, he explained that the incident has had a lasting impact on his mental health, and that he continues to think about what happened every day.

He said: “I was asleep in my home when I was suddenly awoken by intruders, one holding a knife to my throat. I felt completely helpless, in what should have been the safety of my own home.”

He ended by saying: “I feel I have lost a sense of security, it’s difficult to move past the feeling that when I wake up during the night, it might be to intruders threatening my life. The feeling of safety in my own home is gone.”

On 22 October at York Crown Court, Williams, of no fixed address, was sentenced to six years and six months' imprisonment after pleading guilty on the first day of trial. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

Smith, of Blenheim Terrace, was sentenced to three years imprisonment suspended for three years after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge £187

Following sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Sam Rivers of North Yorkshire Police’s Scarborough and Ryedale CID said: “'Burglars are a scourge on our communities. Invading people’s homes is a crime only the lowest of the low commit.

“The defendant attempted to explain away the damning evidence by claiming his DNA was found on the knife because he had previously been helping the victim chop onions for a Sunday dinner in his flat. While imaginative, this explanation was seen for what it was, ridiculous.

“The reality is, this was a violent and premeditated offence, the suspects can now reflect on this crime from their prison cells."

21/10/2026

Good news - missing man found ⬇️

Earlier this evening (Wednesday 21 October), we shared an appeal to find a missing 43-year-old from the York area.

We are pleased to confirm that he has now been found safe and well.

Thank you for sharing our appeal.

Reference: 12260206777

21/10/2026

Our colleagues in Lancashire Police believe that missing Matthew could be in York. If you see him please call 999 or call 101 if you have any information 👇

21/10/2026

Good news: Missing man located safe and well ⬇️

Earlier today, we shared an appeal on behalf of our colleagues at Derbyshire Constabulary to help find a missing 57-year-old man from Derby who was believed to be in York.

We're pleased to confirm that he has now been located safe and well.

Thank you to everyone who shared the appeal and helped spread the word.

21/10/2026

Another night, another fail-to-stop for North Yorkshire Police 🚓

At 2.12am this morning, North Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Unit officers sighted a grey Vauxhall Astra and requested for it to stop.

The driver failed to comply and a pursuit was authorised. During the pursuit, after crossing into Knottingley in West Yorkshire, the vehicle clipped a kerb, causing it to lose a wheel and come to a stop.

A 21-year-old man was arrested and has since been charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and failing to stop for police. He is due to appear before the courts in December.

Failing to stop for police is not a game, and it is not without consequences. Our officers are out on the roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week, proactively targeting those who think they are above the law. If you choose to run, we will do everything in our power to bring you before the courts.

21/10/2026

A burglar stopped in their tracks ⬇️

In the early hours of yesterday morning (20 October) at 00.28am, we received a report of some suspicious activity taking place at a premises on Knaresborough Road in Harrogate.

Upon arrival, officers spotted the suspects' van trying to leave the premises - officers blocked the vehicle in but in an attempt to still get away, the driver fled the vehicle and ran off.

The driver was soon caught, with the help of one of our dog handlers and police dogs, and was swiftly arrested.

Upon a search, it was evident the premises has been burgled and the van was found to have numerous power tools within.

A 45-year-old man from the West Yorkshire area was arrested on suspicion of burglary, and has subsequently been charged with burglary and driving whilst disqualified, and remanded in custody to appear in court today (21 October).

Enquiries are ongoing to locate three outstanding suspects for this incident - if there are any witnesses to this incident, any dashcam or CCTV/doorbell footage, please get in touch:

• Online: Visit our website, select ‘Tell us about’, then choose ‘An existing case or report’
• Live chat: Available via our website, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

If you are unable to use these options, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online via their website.

Please quote reference 12260206062 when providing information.

20/10/2026

Ketamine Awareness Week - please join this free online session to find out more about this serious emerging harm ⬇️

Want to know more about ketamine? Drink Drug Hub is running a free online awareness session this Thursday at 12pm. Scan the QR code or click the link to book a free place:
https://drinkdrughub.co.uk/training/ketamine-awareness/

North Yorkshire Connected Spaces
North Yorkshire Council
North Yorkshire Police
York In Recovery CIC

20/10/2026

Ketamine Awareness Week - vital support readily available ⬇️

We help and support people in North Yorkshire to be free from drug and alcohol dependency

19/10/2026

Wanted Scarborough man arrested ⬇️

Earlier this month, we issued an appeal to help locate a 50-year-old Scarborough man who was wanted on recall to prison and in connection with a domestic assault in Hull.

He has now been arrested. Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal or provided information. If you have shared the appeal on social media or elsewhere, please remove any posts containing his image or details.

Reference: 12260193366.

Thanks folks.