A NEW initiative is being launched to try to make life safer for people in the Ryedale district.

The Ryedale Community Safety Partnership has developed a three-year strategy with which it hopes tackle crime and disorder.

It follows an extensive audit of crime and disorder in the area, and a district-wide public consultation to determine the main issues affecting local communities.

The main themes identified from that process included young people, crime and the fear of crime, quality of life and communications.

Under those broad headings the new strategy will seek to address key issues, such as the inter-generational barriers between young and old, anti-social behaviour and the prevention of reoffending.

It will also turn the spotlight on other identified issues, such as speeding traffic and "volume" crimes, such as non-domestic burglaries, car crime and criminal damage.

Harold Mosley, chairman of the partnership, said: "There is an excellent opportunity opening up over the next three years to make positive and recognisable changes to issues that affect the everyday lives of the communities of Ryedale.

"The new strategy will focus on issues identified by the people of Ryedale, and it is the intention of the partnership to keep people fully informed of our progress in delivering our aims and objec- tives."

A leaflet outlining the strategy will be available in libraries, police stations, district council offices and other public access venues.

It will also be available on the partnership website at www.ryesafe.org - or by contacting the partnership office on (01653) 600666. The text of the leaflet will also be available on disk.

In addition, the North Yorkshire Police mobile unit will visit the five market towns in the district with a display and information about the new strategy.

The unit will be in Pickering Market Place, on April 22; Malton Market Place, on April 23; Kirkbymoorside Market Place, on April 24; Norton Commercial Street, on April 25; and Helmsley Market Place, on April 26.