A MOBILE police station was unveiled yesterday as the latest measure to combat crime in rural areas.

The North Yorkshire Police scheme aims to bring greater protection to isolated communities after receiving £186,000 of Home Office funding.

The station, which will give rural residents face-to-face contact with the police force, will cover the county's eastern area, including the Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough districts.

The project is one of six to receive funding in the latest round of awards from the Home Office's £32m Targeted Policing Initiative (TPI).

Police chiefs believe it will be a valuable addition to the fight against rural crime, which is already aided by several Farm Watch schemes.

Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, Peter Walker, said: "The eastern area spans seaside, moors and dales and includes a host of small rural communities.

"A mobile police station will enable us to strike directly at the fear of crime wherever it arises across this extensive rural area.

"We will be providing a package that contains communications, a police station complete with a front counter for immediate access to a police representative, and a base for officers.

"Above all, it will be visible proof that North Yorkshire Police are there, working for the community."

The grant was awarded after North Yorkshire made a bid in December for a share of £15m in the second round of funding in the TPI, which was announced by the Prime Minister in July 1998.

Launching the county's scheme, Home Office Minister Charles Clarke said: "This funding is good news for the people of North Yorkshire.

"The Home Office funding will allow the police force in the eastern area to provide a mobile police station to alleviate the fear of crime in rural areas.

"The project will provide mobile watch schemes with an effective communication network, and will increase police visibility."