“A PROPER review” is to be be held into whether Selby needs night marshals, following the end of their funding.

But police have given a pledge that the town will continue to be safe in their absence.

The marshals, introduced in 2007, were specially licensed door staff who worked alongside North Yorkshire Police and PCSOs in the town on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, to help keep the night-time economy safe.

Their funding was withdrawn last weekend after the performance review grant from central Government, ran out.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said the scheme could still be an option, but new funding allocations meant £116,000 was available to the Selby district over the next three years, and alternatives should be explored.

Inspector Mark Khan, of Selby police, said the scheme had been very successful for the last four years, but he understood the pressures the PCC was under to find savings.

Insp Khan said: “If we decide the night marshals are the best deterrent in the night-time economy we will be putting a bid in.

“We need to go out into the streets to see what it is like without the marshals, which we have the opportunity to do now, and that will give us an idea of what we’re missing and what’s needed to fill that gap. I want a proper review and a deep understanding of the night time economy in Selby, we want people to have fun and be safe.”

Insp Khan said options to be considered in place of night marshals included volunteer Special Constables or the Street Angel scheme, but said residents and revellers would still be safe while alternatives were considered.

He said: “I’m meeting with local councillors this week, hoping to have the review and bid done in the next two or three months.

“We don’t think it will be any less safe in the meantime because we will put in measures that will make sure people are safe.

“What might happen is other areas of patrol on Friday or Saturday nights might be reduced. I want to reassure people going out in Selby we will continue to do our very best to make sure they are safe.”