A NEW police inspector has been appointed for Ryedale.

Acting Inspector Simon Jolly has taken over Ryedale and Whitby, while Insp Andy Short, who previously covered the area, retains Eastfield and Filey.

The 41-year-old joined the police force in 2006 after a career as a computer programmer.

Insp Jolly said: "I had a life-long ambition to become a police officer, it was something which always interested me. Originally I wanted to be a dog handler, however after promotion, my career took a different route."

Insp Jolly, who originates from Teesside, first worked in Whitby before he was promoted to Scarborough Sergeant in 2012 and then North Yorkshire Police's headquarters in Newby Wiske to head a technology project.

He was previously a Critical Incident Inspector in Scarborough before the new post for Ryedale was created and he was offered the role.

Insp Jolly is married with two children aged 15 and 12 and his main aim for the Safer Neighbourhood Teams is to increase community engagement and partnership working.

"I jumped at the chance to come here as this is my ideal role and I want to create a more proactive element to Safer Neighbourhood Policing Teams while utilising the force's ongoing investment in new technology," he added.

"The aim is to continue to protect vulnerable people, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, focus on prevention and early intervention and to improve victim care."

Insp Jolly said that while Ryedale was a safe area, the police would not rest on their laurels.

"We want to keep it that way and in times of austerity, to maximise the resources we have at our disposal," he said.

"To do this we will continue to develop our partnerships with other agencies such as Ryedale District Council, housing services, children services, the fire service and health/care organisations."

Insp Jolly said he was also committed to retaining the area's CCTV system and is actively engaging the Ryedale Cameras In Action Group to progress an ongoing project.

"CCTV is invaluable in helping to maintain public safety. We need to look at what we have and utilise it to its maximum capacity until we are in a position to enhance and replace the system," he said.

Insp Jolly said while the policing area is vast he had a supportive team and benefits from the superb work of the Safer Ryedale Partnership Team.

“There are some real challenges ahead, but I feel we are well placed to tackle them,” he said.

“We are actively looking at boosting staff numbers, including the appointment of a new Safer Neighbourhood Beat Manager Holly Hornsby in December 2016."