POLICE patrols have been stepped up in flood-hit North Yorkshire communities in a bid to deter opportunistic criminals and reassure residents.

With the clean-up operation now well under way, North Yorkshire Police have set up 24-hour neighbourhood patrols, which will keep an eye on the affected areas of Ryedale and Hambleton, and be on hand to help out.

The police are also supporting North Yorkshire County Council's trading standards officers, who are urging people not to deal with potential bogus doorstep traders for property repairs.

Superintendent Iain Spittal, the force's eastern area operations commander, said: "It is vital that the people who have been affected by the floods are given every chance to get back on their feet. The last thing they need is the added heartache of being burgled, conned or having property stolen.

"This is why we are providing the round-the-clock patrols, to discourage or catch criminals who are looking to gain from others' misfortune."

Meanwhile, trading standards officers were in the mobile police van in Helmsley Market Place up to 3pm today to offer advice and assistance to people needing property repairs, and to give advice about doorstep callers.

They repeated previous advice not to deal with cold callers under any circumstances, saying people should contact a number of local, established firms, and obtain more than one quote, before deciding whether to go ahead with any work.

Coun John Fort, the county council's executive member responsible for trading standards, said: "Sadly, our experience is that during times of crisis such as these, rogue traders tend to come out of the woodwork and prey on people who are already suffering."

Anyone who receives a cold call from a doorstep caller offering to carry out repairs should notify the rapid response team on 01609 768636 or alternatively call North Yorkshire Police.

Power to more than 38,000 customers who were cut off has now been restored. The last 30 customers to get their supply back were in the Arden and Hawnby areas where generators were brought in until overhead lines could be repaired.

Villagers get new temporary bridge

VILLAGERS cut off after a bridge was washed away during the devastating flash floods have a new temporary crossing to help them on their way.

Photographer Richard Doughty's picture shows a temporary bridge being put in place at Hawnby, near Helmsley.

It replaces Chapel Bridge which was destroyed when the rain lashed the village on Sunday.

It is usually kept in store by North Yorkshire County Council, and will be used until the original bridge can be rebuilt. Sixteen metres long, it was taken on a low-loader through Boltby to the village.

The work was carried out by Highways North Yorkshire and consultants Mouchel Parkman.

Blair rules out clean-up cash

TONY Blair has refused to guarantee more money for flood defences to protect North Yorkshire.

The Prime Minister also stopped short of offering extra funds to help pay for the massive cleanup and rebuilding programme - despite a plea from an MP.

Anne McIntosh, Tory MP for Vale of York, put the PM on the spot at Parliament only three days after Sunday's flash floods caused millions pounds worth of damage.

Miss McIntosh raised the plight of householders caught up in the floods during the weekly Prime Minister's Questions, and asked Mr Blair to stump up extra cash.

She urged him to "dig deep in the coffers of the Government to extend the millions of pounds of recovering in road repairs, bridge repairs and in the clean-up operation".

Mr Blair praised the emergency services, including North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, for their "swift response in ensuing there was no loss of life".

He referred Miss McIntosh to the relevant ministers.

Updated: 10:47 Thursday, June 23, 2005