POLICE are inviting people to join patrols to observe officers using their stop-and-search powers.

As part of a new scheme to increase transparency the public can apply to accompany officers on patrols where they might use such powers.

North Yorkshire officers carry out about 20 stop searches per day, and say they are an effective tool to detect crime, recover property and arrest offenders.

Since the lay observer scheme was launched one member of the public has already accompanied officers - with a further six attachments planned in the near future.

Police are particularly keen to attract younger lay observers - aged 18 to 25 - and applications from anywhere in North Yorkshire are welcome.

Chief Inspector Mark Grange said: “We have had a good number of applicants so far, but we are keen to encourage more people to apply, to help us further improve understanding and our use of stop and search.”

Applicants will need to be voluntarily vetted and will need to be flexible in term of time and area.

To find out more visit northyorkshire.police.uk/stopsearch. To apply online to join the scheme, visit northyorkshire.police.uk/layobserver.