POLICE officers will be based in Great Ayton for the first time in more than a decade, under a new policing scheme launched in Hambleton.

Neighbourhood policing teams have been set up in Great Ayton, Stokesley, Northallerton, Bedale, Thirsk and Easingwold in the new scheme centred around back-to-basics community policing.

The teams are made up of a sergeant, four constables, and a community support officer.

The teams will be based in their respective areas during the daytime and evenings, and will spend time on foot and mobile patrol, attend local meetings, and work closely with the community to tackle local issues.

Insp Simon Lovell, from Northallerton police, said: "The teams will be familiar with their areas, and they will come to be very familiar to residents. They are largely made up of local officers who have specifically asked to get involved in these communities. When problems arise, residents will know these officers as people they can contact for help, and can be sure the officers will be aware of local issues."

The Great Ayton team, overseen by Sgt Sarah Sanderson, has already started its work in the community and will move into its Guisborough Road office in the coming weeks, following equipment installation.

The team is an exception, having three rather than four PCs, plus a support officer.

Insp John Richardson, who helped set up the team before his move to Thirsk, said officers would be highly visible, coming on and off duty at the offices, spending time on patrol and dealing with local problems as they arose. He said the office would not have a front counter service due to administration demands, but this would not detract from the service in the village.

"A scheme like this has been needed for a long time," said Insp Richardson. "It gives us an opportunity to really work with local people to meet their needs. It is about communities taking back control."

Coun John Fletcher, from Great Ayton Parish Council, welcomed the move.

"We are always looking to work with officers and ensure that local policing needs are met," said Coun Fletcher, who is also spokesman for community safety on Hambleton District Council cabinet. "People want a police officer they can get to know, so a move like this, with officers based in the village, is bound to be for the better.

"A lot of people think that crime and disorder is solely a police issue but in fact it is a community one. We all need to work in a partnership, and we all have a part to play."

Sgt Sanderson leads the teams in Great Ayton and Stokesley. The names of officers on the teams will be publicised locally over the coming weeks, and all the teams can be contacted on 0845 6060247.

* Parish council report page 3