THE village bobby will soon be back on the beat in North Yorkshire communities.

Police in Richmondshire have announced what is described as a major expansion of the neighbourhood policing system.

From the beginning of next month, each district ward will have its own police constables.

The officers will aim to work with residents and community leaders to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

They will be expected to focus on local problems and reduce the fear of crime by being visible and accessible to residents.

Sergeant Mick Griffiths, neighbour police co-ordinator for Richmondshire, said: "The village police officer was a system that was unique to the rural areas.

"This will bring that system to the whole of the district.

"Officers will have more knowledge of the area they serve. Instead of tackling the same problems over and over again, we will look to see how we can stop the problems from happening."

Ten ward constables will be based in Richmond, eight will be stationed in Catterick Garrison and six in Leyburn.

Each of the three areas will have their own neighbourhood sergeant and be supported by three or four community support officers.

The ward constables will be backed up by a response team of five sergeants and 25 constables based in Richmond.

These officers will react to major incidents and crimes.

They will also be supported by a team of ten road policing unit officers.

Sgt Griffiths said: "Crime in Richmondshire had reduced by ten per cent over the past 12 months and we want to keep driving it down further."

He added: "We will not just be policing by consent, we will be policing with the community's involvement. The neighbourhood policing expansion is good news - it's what the people want."

The expansion is expected to be rolled out in other areas of the county next month.

Members of the public and community leaders are invited to attend meetings about the new system to be held at at Richmond Town Hall on Monday, at 6.30pm, at Colburn Leisure Centre next Thursday, at 7pm, and at Thornborough Hall, in Leyburn, on Monday, April 3, at 7pm.