OBSERVANT members of the public in a market town may notice a temporary change in the way the area is policed next week.

A group of special constables will be handed the reins at Bedale police station on Saturday, October 16.

They will be undertaking most of the jobs normally carried out by regular officers, such as foot patrols and vehicle checks.

The town and its surrounding villages will be under the control of the specials from 8am to 4pm.

In turn, their work will be monitored by Bedale’s regular beat officer, PC Mark Wood.

The Special Constabulary is made up of members of the public who volunteer to spend some of their time helping to police their local community.

Special officers have the same influence in the community as their full-time counterparts, including the power of arrest.

The exercise, which organisers hope will help to boost the specials’ knowledge, as well as improving public understanding of their role, is the idea of Sergeant Richard O’Neil, who runs the town’s police station.

It is the latest scheme piloted by Sgt O’Neil to make the station more accessible to residents.

Earlier this year, an appeal was launched for volunteers to help staff the police station during evenings and weekends.

The appeal was a success, with several members of the public offering their services and the station now open longer hours as a result.

North Yorkshire Police is keen to hear from people interested in volunteering as a special constable.

:: For more information, visit northyorkshire.police.uk/specials