CRIME in all its forms is being targeted today in a special show of force by police.

The North Yorkshire force is holding its first district-wide No Crime Day across the Hambleton area.

The intensive operation will feature a range of measures from crime cars to truancy patrols in a concerted effort aimed at radically cutting crime across the whole district.

Detective Inspector Dai Malyn said: "This is going to be a day-long blitz on crime, criminals and anti-social behaviour, involving a wide range of policing disciplines.

"The most important element, though, is the involvement of the community.

"We want to involve the energies of those living in Hambleton to be our extra eyes and ears.

"Beating crime is a joint enterprise."

Activities throughout the day and night will include extra patrols in identified hot-spots where there can be trouble.

The entire district will be traversed by patrol cars. Analysts will give them lists stating where there have been burglaries and auto crimes.

Community Support Officers will be used throughout the day to patrol areas with a history of trouble or crime

A speed matrix camera will be set up at a school in Thirsk, and police will link up with an educational support worker to carry out truancy checks.

All Neighbourhood Watch groups have been put on the alert to be especially vigilant and a special police team will target persistent offenders wanted by courts, especially those who have not paid fines.

Det Insp Malyn added that there would also be a follow-up bonus to the force.

"All the day's results and information will be analysed to show the strengths and weaknesses of the different initiatives, which will help us plan our tactics for policing Hambleton in the future," he said.