TODAY North Yorkshire police launches its local policing plans for the year with the emphasis firmly on dealing with so-called minor crime and anti-social behaviour.

It is a measure of the force's success that resources can be devoted to tackling issues which have in the past been considered of nuisance value only.

While serious crime such as burglary, vehicle theft and drug abuse will remain priorities, local police commanders have been told to tackle vandalism, drunkenness and public disorder.

This sort of crime has been previously greeted with a shrug of police officers' shoulders. They have been aware it should be dealt with but more serious matters have required their attention.

Now chief constable Mr David Kenworthy has recognised that this form of minor crime is the sort the general public gets most worked up about and wants to see reduced.

It is also important that these matters are dealt with from a economic point of view. Our Market Town Revival campaign has highlighted vandalism and public disorder as issues which threaten the quality of life in small towns. The quality of the environment in market towns has traditionally been a strength. In some the growing incidence of disorder and vandalism could start to deter people from living, socialising or doing business in those places.

The local area policing plans will be highlighted in this newspaper in the coming weeks. The plans will contain specific and measurable objectives for reducing crime and the police are to be applauded for making those targets public and in doing so making themselves more accountable.

In return, the public needs to give the police every support in helping to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of our communities.