THREE police officers, assigned beats in the Yorkshire Dales, say the improved system is allowing them to devote more time to the job.

Although none are strangers to Richmondshire, PCs Dave Cousins, Huw Williams and Dave Rasbeary were given more remote patches of Wensleydale and Swaledale to cover from last month.

PC Cousins now works out of the community office in Hawes, PC Williams is based at Leyburn police station while PC Rasbeary operates from Hudson House, in Reeth.

All three said local starting points cut down on unnecessary travel, giving them more time to devote to patrols.

And now they are more visible, it is hoped their presence will act as a deterrent and residents will feel safer.

"I now start and finish my shift in Hawes and my vehicle, which I used to have to collect from Leyburn, is based up there,'' said PC Cousins.

"It's good that I don't get dragged down to Leyburn where I used to spend a lot of my time, as its busier.

"However, the upper Dale also deserves policing as people who live there pay their council tax like everyone else.''

PC Rasbeary said: "I still continue to do the same job I did before I became a community beat officer.

"The difference is I can now devote more of my time to the area I have been assigned without being called away.''