HALF of the 72 police officers working in Craven will become bobbies on the beat from next month.

The move comes as North Yorkshire Police adopts Neighbourhood Policing.

In Craven, there will be a community police officer allocated to each Craven District Council ward and the district will see the number of police community support officers (PCSOs) rise from six to 11.

Craven's district commander Chief Insp Chris Chelton said: "It will form an important part of local policing.

"We will deliver a service that puts the right people in the right places in the right numbers. This is an effort to match the number of uniformed officers to demand.

"We hope that these teams will help to reduce anti-social behaviour, be the public face of the police and provide a first response to community issues. They will be able to look at sustainable solutions.

"The public will have a greater say on policing priorities. We are required to review and improve the way we communicate with indivudual communities. We must listen to what they say and make sure we genuinely address any concerns."

However, with more bobbies on the street, there will be fewer officers on duty at quieter times.

In the past only 10 per cent of officers have been involved in community policing, but from April 3, this number will go up to 50 per cent. The remaining 50 per cent will form a response team to answer emergency calls.

In Craven, there will be two Neighbourhood Policing teams - one in Skipton led by Inspector Kevin Franks and one for the rest of the district led by Sgt Steve Scott, who will become an acting inspector and be based at Settle.

They will be in charge of smaller sergeant-led units aligned to ward boundaries.

Skipton will have two such units - one for the north and Embsay. led by Cris Pappin, and one for the east, south and west wards, led by Karen Weaver. Each will have eight constables and three PCSOs.

There will also be a sergeant in Skipton, whose main role will be problem solving. That post will be taken up by Kevin Wilson.

Other units will be centred on Cross Hills (where Glyn Rowland will be in charge of seven constables and two PCSOs), Grassington (led by Andy Gill who will have four constables and one PCSO) and Settle/Ingleton (where Steve Thornthwaite will have six constables and two PCSOs).

The response team will be made up of 10 sergeants and 20 constables in Skipton, 10 constables at Settle and 10 road policing constables who will work full shifts.

"I am particularly pleased that we are retaining our road policing capability as our traffic officers are some of the most effective and hard working in the county. Their results in terms of casualty reduction are very impressive."

In addition, the area will be able to call on the force's specialist units, such as major crime investigation and firearms.

Looking to the future, Chief Insp Chelton added: "People are very concerned about the impact the proposed amalgamation of the force will have on the local service and rural areas such as Craven.

"Neighbourhood policing is all about ensuring an effective local police service and this is, perhaps, the best way of protecting the style of police we have got used to. I think it is a good thing and we stand to have a good year ahead."