EIGHT police officers across North Yorkshire have been selected as the best in their patch at the neighbourhood beat.

Community groups and members of the public made the nominations for the county's District Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year awards.

One will be selected to go on to represent the force at a national event in London in November.

They include Richmondshire's Sergeant Mick Griffiths, an officer for 28 years who has responsibility for problem-solving throughout the district, working with several other agencies.

Much of his work centres on tackling crime and he has introduced a number of innovative initiatives.

His "Make Richmond Vibrant not Violent" campaign resulted in a fall of six per cent in violent crime, and his crime prevention work has contributed to a 16 per cent fall in non-domestic burglaries.

A spokesman said: "He has also contributed to road safety, dealing effectively with complaints of speeding throughout the area by a combination of education, warning and enforcement to the satisfaction of local communities."

Hambleton PC John Trueman, an officer for 20 years, has recently taken up the post of liaison officer in the district.

The spokesman said: "He established an excellent working relationship with local shopkeepers and introduced a number of schemes to tackle town centre crime and disorder."

In part of Thirsk, he was responsible for almost wiping out anti-social behaviour with one initiative, and is now involved in a similar one in Northallerton.

In Ryedale, PC Jane Jones, an officer for five years, is recognised as a member of the local community and is often called upon whether on duty or not to offer help and advice

Among other things, she attracted particular praise for her efforts in tackling a long-term problem of anti-social behaviour in a local car park where young drivers were racing their vehicles and causing problems with noise and litter.

The others honoured were Inspector Richard Crinnion, from York, Sergeant Penny Taylor, from Harrogate, PC Harry Baker, from Whitby; PC Tony Wadsworth, from Selby, and Sgt Steve Scott, from Crosshills, in Craven.