THE whistleblowers of North Yorkshire have helped put the county at the top of the table when it comes to catching offenders.

The county has topped the league for the number of arrests per calls to Crimestoppers.

During the first six months of this year, 250 calls were made to the Crimestoppers anonymous information line from people in North Yorkshire, resulting in 50 arrests.

Information from the public has led to arrests for theft, drink-driving, assault, burglary and drug offences and to the recovery of more than £10,000-worth of drugs and property.

Crimestoppers' regional co- ordinator, Detective Sergeant Kevin Mosley, said: "The public of North Yorkshire are a major source of information about criminal activity.

"What we want now is for them to continue this good work, and stay alert to what is happening in and around their communities."

He added: "This success is down to the public's quality of information and the police responding with speed and efficiency targeting their criminals."

Head of specialist support Chief Superintendent Colin Taylor said: "Information and intelligence is the lifeblood of effective policing and we rely on the public to be the eyes and ears of the police."

All calls to the Crimestoppers reporting line on 0800-555-111 are anonymous. The line operates 24 hours a day and cash rewards of up to £1,000 can be claimed anonymously.