RESIDENTS are being asked their views on the effectiveness of their local police teams a year after changes in the force were made.

The region’s Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan is today launching a survey to find out what people think about the local service they are receiving from North Yorkshire Police.

The survey is being conducted just over one year since changes were made to the structure of local policing, and comes after the issue was put forward by the public as a top priority for the police.

Ms Mulligan said: “About 12-months-ago, changes were made to the make-up of neighbourhood policing teams.

“I am keen to find out if these have been successful, and to know if people are satisfied with local policing—and as always, if people feel safe.

“The best way for me to do this, is to speak to residents and business, the very people who rely on their local PCSOs and officers to keep them safe.”

There are 27 local neighbourhood policing teams in North Yorkshire and the City of York.

The Rural Task Force, North Yorkshire Police’s dedicated rural crime team, also forms part of neighbourhood policing.

The job of the neighbourhood policing teams is to engage with communities, working with partners such as councils and residents’ groups, to understand local needs, proactively prevent crime, and to protect and police local communities.

Ms Mulligan said that in order for the teams to meet the needs of communities, they need to hear directly from the residents themselves.

She said: “I would encourage anyone to take part and share their views as I’d like as many people to respond as possible.

“You might be a member of the public, or perhaps have needed support from local police in the past, or be a local councillor, or other community official.

“Everyone deserves a say in the way their police force is run, and I will always take people’s views seriously, because it is vitally important that the public receives a good service.”

The Neighbourhood Policing Survey requests views on a number of topics such as awareness of neighbourhood policing teams, perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour and satisfaction with local officers.

The survey can be completed online at www.telljulia.com and paper questionnaires are available from council buildings and libraries.

The survey closes on July 29 and its findings will be published next year and used to inform the Police and Crime Plan