A POLICING group has decided to change its name because members want to be seen in a more positive light.

Ryedale Crime Reduction Panel will be known in future as Ryedale Community Safety Panel, which organisers believe better reflects low crime levels in the district.

Inspector Neil Burnett, of Malton police, said: "Crime is so low in this area compared with others that our role is increasingly more to do with tackling wider issues, such as establishing contact with young people," he said.

At its last meeting, the panel discussed a draft of the community safety audit, due to be published on April 1.

One of the key issues in the audit is tackling speeding motorists