THE county town of North Yorkshire is to become the venue for a monthly surgery where people can get advice from crimefighters.

Northallerton's neighbourhood policing team joined forces with Hambleton Community Safety Partnership to hold the first street-safe surgery last month.

A large number of shoppers dropped into the event at the town's Tesco store wanting help on various issues, from illegal parking and anti-social behaviour to problem neighbours, waste collections and the smoking ban.

Now, with the support of the supermarket, the surgeries are to become monthly events.

"These surgeries give us the chance to talk to members of the public in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere about anything and everything," said Inspector Sarah-Jane Sanderson.

"And the public can rest assured that anything they tell us will be kept confidential.

"We are very grateful to Tesco for giving us the space to run these surgeries on a regular basis."

The next surgery takes place from noon until 3pm, next Wednesday, and low-cost shed alarms, timers and tamper proof tax discs will be on sale.