MORE than 6,000 residents have been questioned about their concerns in an attempt to cut crime.

The survey, by community safety partnership Safer Ryedale, asked residents what their main worries were about crime and anti-social behaviour in their community.

Results of the study will be used to draw up a strategy to target problems in the district's trouble spots.

Ana Richards, Safer Ryedale co-ordinator, said: "It's not easy to get to the heart of what people really think about levels of crime in our area.

"We wanted some hard information to assess what residents regard as important issues.

"The information we gathered is proving invaluable in steering community safety policy to target what problems people really face, and what they think is important in improving their quality of life."

About 4,000 questionnaires were posted out to residents and local businesses on a random basis. Street surveys were carried out in market towns and other groups were contacted, including parish councils, pub landlords and churches.

The data collected will be assessed before being discussed by members of the partnership.

In October, residents will be invited to comment on the safety partnership's findings when they are published in an audit paper.

In January, Safer Ryedale members will discuss all the information and comments before finalising in April the group's strategy for the next three years.

"The message has been going out over recent months that our district and our communities enjoy low levels of crime compared to most other parts of the country, but that is not always what people really sense about where they live," said Ms Richards.

"The consultation exercise is putting some important detail into our planning process and we are really grateful for the time and effort people put into answering the questionnaires."

One lucky couple who took part in the survey - Mr and Mrs Mercer, of Pickering - received £50 after their names were pulled out in a prize draw.

Safer Ryedale was formed in 1999 to bring together different organisations to reduce crime and the fear of crime.