EXTRA police officers are to be deployed on North Yorkshire streets.

The changes will increase the uniformed presence in the Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon and Pateley Bridge areas.

Police said that a major reason for the change in deployment was to respond to the community's desire to see more patrols.

Commanders hope that the sight of more officers will increase public confidence in the service.

Western Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Andy Parker, said the changes would help officers combat crime and reduce the fear of crime.

Mr Parker said: "Regrettably, the increasing burden of paperwork is keeping police officers in the police station rather than out in the community.

"The changes should result in more police officers being seen on the beat throughout the area, increased intelligence-led focus on criminal activity, and the development of longer-term solutions to local problems."

Superintendent Malcolm Foster, the area's Operations Commander, said that the ever increasing demand on police resources, and the focus on government priorities, had resulted in patrol work being neglected to some degree.

He said: "It is clear, however, that our communities put greater value on patrol and are reassured by the sight of a patrolling officer.

"In order to address this, Western Area have adopted a patrol strategy which aims to put officers back on the beat at times and at locations where they can be of most value.