Chief Constable on the Beat to meet Public
Monday, 17 August, 2009
Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell meets 3 year-old Jack Carter, of Tunstall North Yorkshire.
Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell went on the beat again last week as part of the force's ongoing effort to shape the future of policing in North Yorkshire.
Mr Maxwell visited some of the high streets and neighbourhoods in the force's Western Area on Thursday, 14 and Friday, 15 August, including Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Settle, Ingleton, Hawes, Leyburn and Tunstall.
He met a range of local people to find out what they thought about the service the police currently provide and more importantly how it could be improved.
Mr Maxwell said: "I specifically wanted to visit some of the smaller towns in the county, and to gauge public feeling in those locations. I have been really encouraged by the feedback I have been receiving. I've spoken with residents, businesses and visitors to the area, and they seem very pleased with the work that North Yorkshire Police are doing. Local officers and Police Community Support Officers are highly visible and active in their communities, and almost everyone I spoke to appreciated that local ownership and ongoing relationship with us.
"I've taken this opportunity to highlight that we are one of the safest counties in the country, but I am determined that we won't become complacent and we will continue to seek to improve.
"I've also been impressed with the passion, enthusiasm and local knowledge of the Police Officers and staff I have been speaking to. I'm confident that together we can continue to achieve our vision of 'Delivering Modern Policing in a Traditional Way'."
The Chief Constable and other senior members of North Yorkshire Police will be visiting communities across the force area in the coming months. This is part of the Towards 2012, The Next Steps programme which forms part of the organisation's continuous drive for improvement.
This programme aims to deliver increased value for money and an improved service to our communities by carrying out a review of demand across all of the districts in North Yorkshire and the City of York.
Cuts in public sector funding coupled with the current financial climate will test all businesses, however, through careful business planning we will continue to deliver the best possible policing service to our communities.
North Yorkshire Police and its Police Authority are committed to this programme of work and together they will ensure the force remains sustainable now and well into the future.
