NORTH Yorkshire's first police community support officers took to the streets on Monday to help the regular force to tackle petty crime.

During the recent consultation on the county's current policing plan, residents said they felt that one of the constabulary's priorities should be to deal with vandalism, criminal damage and petty nuisance.

Up until now additional patrols in targeted areas have had a limited effect, although the local authorities have more recently had Anti-Social Behaviour Orders to put into use.

However, it is hoped that the 37 police community support officers, dispatched to police stations across the county, will help to reassure the public and cut petty crime.

Northallerton, Richmond, York, Selby, Scarborough, Malton, Pateley Bridge and Skipton were among the police stations to welcome the new recruits, who are part-funded by the local councils.

In Richmond, Kevin Mason and Diane Jex arrived for their first day at the police station. They were greeted there by Insp Charlie Kay, Richmondshire District Council chairman Michael Heseltine, the authority's chief executive, Harry Tabiner, Mayor of Richmond Stuart Parsons, Mayor of Colburn Peter Wood and chairman of Richmondshire Crime and Disorder Partnership Lynn Miller.

All the community support officers have completed an extensive and intensive training programme at police headquarters in Leeming Bar and Harrogate.

The learning process will continue for the next three weeks, when the new recruits will patrol with experienced officers and be tutored on the day-to-day roles and responsibilities of the police.

Once they are ready for operational duties, the community officers will work with groups and individuals they are assigned to, identifying hot spots for anti-social behaviour.

Richmond Sergeant Richard O'Neil said: "The new community support officers will be a great asset to the police force in North Yorkshire and will also provide high-visibility reassurance to the public."

In Richmondshire, the support officers will work alongside three community beat officers and it is expected that two more beat officers and one more community support officer will be recruited by the end of the year.