A North police force welcomed its first Sikh recruit yesterday as part of its largest intake of officers to date.

Jagjeet Bura was among the 51 new North Yorkshire probationary constables that were sworn in at the Attestation Ceremony in County Hall, Northallerton and took their oath before Gordon Charlton JP.

The forces largest-ever intake will swell the number of officers serving the county to a total of 1,441 and at the end of the month a further 18 will join.

Mr Bura, originally from Bradford, will be stationed in Skipton during parts of his two year training course. "I feel proud to be the first Sikh to join the North Yorkshire Police. I hope others will see me walking down the street in my uniform and be encouraged to do the same," he said.

The young men and women have already embarked on an intensive two-year course, which will see them training at centres in Durham, Ponteland or Warrington for 15 weeks. They will later have their first period on the streets, when they go to Areas to work alongside their tutor constable.

Superintendent Paul Ackerley, head of staff development for North Yorkshire Police, said: "The teaching will be done in the classroom and out on the streets. They need to learn about the diversity of their community, meet local residents and build up a relationship with important people."

Chief Constable Della Cannings called the officers the "lifeblood" of the service. "We have been around the county and people tell us they want to see more police officers patrolling the streets. I have made that one of my main commitments," she said.

After the ceremony Caroline Upfield, one of the new officers, said it had been quite an overwhelming experience. "I have always wanted to do this and to be standing here now in my uniform makes me feel very proud," she said.