CIVILIANS are to patrol their villages to help police in the fight against crime.

Neighbourhood Watch volunteers are to take part in evening observation patrols in villages near Easingwold as part of a new initiative, Operation Eyeball.

It will involve community-spirited residents dressed up in high-visibility vests who will be in contact with the police’s local safer neighbourhoods team.

The patrols will be carried out each evening throughout the Christmas period.

The co-ordinator, Sergeant John Clayton, said: "Operation Eyeball is all about members of the community taking the lead and working in partnership with the local police team to deter crime and anti-social behaviour.

"The idea is that they will patrol their neighbourhoods with the confidence that if they see anything suspicious, they can simply contact the police officers on duty so the situation can be checked out.

"The volunteers will work under a code of conduct which they have been trained in for this purely observational role, which includes the safety guidelines of not approaching potential offenders or suspicious vehicles."

Area commander Chief Superintendent Javad Ali added: "This is a fine example of what Safer Neighbourhoods policing is all about - members of the local police team working in partnership with local residents for the greater good of the community."