NORTH Yorkshire Police has halted an auction sale of scores of medals, crests, trophies and other artefacts following protests by retired officers.

The items from the former HQ at Newby Wiske- including a silver engraved with the Green Howard insiginia and presented to officers of the former North Riding Constabulary by officers of the Green Howards- were due to go under the hammer at a Scottish auction house this weekend.

But the North Yorkshire’s Association of Retired Police Officers raised concerns about the sale at Wilsons Auctions, with a source telling The Press that both serving and particularly retired dfficers had ‘expressed their outrage.’

Now Assistant Chief Constable Amanda Oliver, has said that the force had decided to postpone the auction, ‘due to the level of concern and feedback we have received about the sale.’

She said: “Although a great deal of work and consultation was carried out to review each item before they were put up for auction, and we did in fact, retain a large number of artefacts prior to the proposed sale, we will carry out a further review before any sale goes ahead.

“The review will also include a decision on the most appropriate location to hold the auction in future.

“We will keep members of the public informed about the outcome of the review through our website.

“In the meantime as part of the review, we will consult with people who have an interest in the items, including the North Yorkshire’s Association of Retired Police Officers before we make any final decisions.”