MEMBERS of the public can join North Yorkshire Police officers as they stop and search people in the street.

Under the Stop and Search Lay Observer Scheme, members of the public can accompany officers on patrol when they might use their stop and search powers, as a way to increase transparency.

Since the Home Office launched the scheme, one person has accompanied officers, and six more are planned in the near future.

Chief Inspector Mark Grange said: "Under the lay observation scheme, officers have the opportunity to demonstrate their use of stop and search, while members of the public will be provided with the opportunity to see it in action, and provide feedback based on their observations.

"We have had a good number of applicants so far, but we are keen to encourage more people to apply, to help us further improve understanding and our use of stop and search."

Applicants will need to be vetted prior to being approved for the scheme, and a number of other restrictions apply, which are outlined on the application form.

To find out more go to northyorkshire.police.uk/stopsearch or to apply to join officers on patrol, go to northyorkshire.police.uk/layobserver