THEY were the words North Yorkshire and the nation had waited to hear. "He's here - they've caught him."

Shipton-by-Beningbrough businessman Robin Wilson was speaking after he witnessed the end of a seven-day manhunt, as armed police arrested Britain's most wanted man, Mark Hobson.

Now we are left to reflect on one of the most horrendous weeks in recent North Yorkshire history.

It seems astonishing the world only learned of two double murders just over a week ago. So much has happened since then that time seems to have stretched to accommodate it all.

It had started as a typically quiet North Yorkshire's summer weekend. Then the tranquillity was shattered as the bodies of Claire and Diane Sanderson were discovered in Camblesforth.

Then, unthinkably, another double murder was reported only hours later: an elderly couple James and Joan Britton, found dead in their Strensall home.

Camblesforth and Strensall, two unassuming corners of England's largest rural county, were suddenly catapulted into a real life horror story.

Today we pay tribute to both communities. These villages have coped with their shared nightmare with admirable stoicism. Residents endured the invasion of the world's media with forbearance and dignity. These are close-knit neighbourhoods whose bonds strengthened in adversity.

We must also applaud North Yorkshire police. This is not a force with much experience of savagery on such scale, yet they have carried out the investigation with consummate professionalism.

The officers leading the inquiry have faced untold pressures. They have had to witness sickening scenes of violence; comfort families shattered by the murders; co-ordinate an inquiry of astonishing size; deal with relentless calls to the incident room; and work around the clock.

Detective Superintendent Javad Ali and his team deserve our special thanks for their unprecedented efforts over the last week. But we are additionally grateful to every officer who has helped to ensure that life could continue in North Yorkshire during a week which included a Saturday York race meeting.

The peaceful conclusion to the search has proved how important it is for the police, the press and the public to work in partnership. It was the police appeals relayed by the media which allowed vigilant members of the public to find Mark Hobson.

This is a reminder that we are all the eyes and ears of the police, whether in high profile cases like this one or when dealing with more routine crime.

It has been a strange, frightening few days. Hopefully, North Yorkshire can now return to a more normal, peaceful existence. But the shock of last week will take a long time to subside.

Updated: 09:23 Monday, July 26, 2004