Let me introduce myself. I am Police Constable Paul Storey, based at Pickering Police station, I am the Safer Neighbourhood Community officer for Pickering Town.

          Here is an overview of how North Yorkshire Police is structured in the Ryedale area, who your local officers are, how they can be contacted and some of our objectives in the current year.

          The Community Police Team in Ryedale is headed by Inspector Taylor, who commands a group of officers in two sections: Safer Neighbourhood “Patrol” and Safer Neighbourhood “Community” officers.

          The Patrol team is split into 5 sections or “Bands”, headed by a Sergeant who  supervises 4 Constables. Each Constable is allocated a patrol area, currently designated as Pickering, Malton and Norton, Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside and Southern Ryedale. These officers provide the Ryedale area with a full 24/7 cover and shifts are managed to provide the greatest number of available officers during the busiest periods.

          The Community team is split into 2 teams, one for Northern Ryedale and the other for Southern Ryedale. The teams are made up of police officers, police community support officers and special constables.

          The Northern Ryedale team is headed by Sergeant Garry Ridler and working with him are Constables Andy Marsden, Ray Thwaites and me, Paul Storey. Each officer has been designated an area of  responsibility, mine being Pickering.

          Community  support officers  Jo Abbott, Andrew Hugill and Bob Ogier  and special constables Peter Jones, Will Lane and Jo Parrott support Andy Marsden and me.

          The Community team doesn’t cover the 24/7 shifts worked by the Patrol team,  but work shifts that allow us to be present in our areas when we are most needed - which is during the daytime.

          The purpose of the team is to look at long term issues unique to our area and find ways to solve them, whilst working in partnership with other agencies and importantly, with you, the communities we work for.

          All are supported by other sections,  including: Road Traffic, CID, CSI, Dog section, Neighbourhood Support Team and a number of Police Support staff.

          Some of the objectives Andy Marsden and me have for the coming year are:

          An active campaign to increase the number of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. Some of you will already have had a letter. Please  read it, and if you wish to help, please reply to us. These schemes are a very   efficient way to get important information out quickly. Successful watch schemes are a very useful part in the fight against crime.

          Problems with antisocial behaviour have been highlighted in the past to us all. We have been working hard over the last year to target areas effected and the individuals responsible for this behaviour. Our hard work has been rewarded by a large decrease in reported incidents. However, our intention is to continue with targeted patrols to reduce this even further. You can help us by reporting promptly any problems you see or if you feel there is an ongoing problem.

          We also intend to target issues with pedal cycle theft, inconsiderate parking and speeding as well as working in partnership with our schools, to name but a few.

          If you wish to contact any team member regarding any of the above points or have questions or concerns, please come and see us. WE DO NOT BITE!

          Garry Ridler, Andy Marsden, Paul   Storey, Jo Abbott, Andy Hugill and Bob Ogier work out of Pickering Police Station.

We can all be reached by phone: North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247 or 07966 432742 (non emergency), or email: ryedalenpt@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

I hope you have found this informative and look forward to speaking to you in the near future.

PC Paul Storey.