POLICE have insisted that they changes to the opening hours for many of its smaller police stations will have "little or no impact on communities".
Opening hours at a number of stations will be cut from today as bosses at North Yorkshire Police try to overcome a £20m funding gap.
Front counters at police stations in Richmond, Thirsk, Malton, Stokesley and Knaresborough will now be closed at weekends.
Shorter opening times are also being introduced at Northallerton, Bedale, Catterick Garrison, Ripon and Harrogate.
Front counter times at the force’s busiest stations in York and Scarborough will remain the same, opening at 8am and closing at midnight, seven days a week.
Temporary deputy chief constable Tim Madgwick said data from the force indicated that the changes would have little or no impact on local communities.
He added: "Outside the revised opening times, people will still be able to make appointments to see their local safer neighbourhood team and we will continue to make use of mobile police stations, public events and local facilities to hold surgeries to maximise engagement opportunities.
"I can reassure residents that North Yorkshire Police will continue to deliver an operational services on a 24/7 basis."
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