A POLICE force criticised for wasting public money is aiming to put extra officers on the streets.

North Yorkshire Police chief constable Della Cannings said yesterday she aims to expand the force's neighbourhood policing teams.

And she added she is keen to see officers work closely with community leaders in order to tackle problems.

She said: "We know people want to see more of us and for us to be more visible, but I think we have come a long way.

"We have employed more staff which means we can release more police officers to do what they should be doing.

"If we bring down crime levels in one area we can move officers to another area where they need help.

"It gives us flexibility but I know people like knowing who their police officer is and to see continuity.

"It's also really important we have officers working with the community leaders and the movers and shakers.

"That is one of the ways we can help to maximise our problem solving."

Critics recently attacked the force for spending 28,400 on a shower for Ms Cannings at is headquarters.

But a report by HM Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) praised the force claiming it was one of the top eight nationally.

It said the force's training was excellent, one of only two such ratings given nationally, and said most others areas viewed were rated good.

Ms Cannings added: "I joined the force in 2002 and the HMIC said I'd inherited a force with old fashioned ideals.

"It's been extremely hard work to change a sleepy force to make it one which now gives a quality service.

"In 2002 there was 90.2 crimes per thousand people in the force area and it is now down to 43 crimes per thousand people."