Police to rely more on public alertness

North Yorkshire Police have now launched a campaign to get more members of the public to sign up to such initiatives in the Selby district.

The district’s “Ringmaster” messaging system has been rejuvenated with a 55 per cent increase in the number of residents who have signed up for alerts.

The system operates by using an email and text messaging service to allow the police to notify residents and businesses of crimes and incidents across the district.

Depending on the nature and content, the messages can be sent as locally or as wide-ranging as officers require.

The move to build closer links with communities is seen as vital by police forces across the country as they are faced with having to make dramatic cutbacks in their budgets.

North Yorkshire Police alone is contending with a £24m budget deficit caused by the dramatic reduction in central government funding.

The Safer Neighbourhoods commander for the Selby district, Chief Inspector Richard Anderson, said: “The public are the eyes and ears for us, and can provide valuable information.

“We believe that every effort should be made to try and provide as much help as possible for the public to report any information to us, and we will continue to do so.”

Police community support officer Neil Charlton has fronted the drive to promote neighbourhood watch schemes and the Ringmaster system to communities on his beat in villages around Tadcaster.

There were only two neighbourhood watch schemes operating in the area prior to the campaign, but the number has now increased to eight. The number of Ringmaster message recipients has risen from 35 to 54.