NOT in my neighbourhood - that's the rallying cry from police, the fire brigade and other agencies in Ryedale who are determined to stamp out the district's problems.

As part of the Government's Changing Lives, Making Communities Safer campaign, the Safer Ryedale Partnership will be out and about from next Monday, urging residents to join together and tackle some of the issues they face.

Not In My Neighbourhood Week involves representatives from the police, Ryedale District Council, Ryedale Housing Association, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, the county council's trading standards officers and others.

Anna Rees, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "We want to be able to talk to the community about some of the issues they have and make ourselves easily available during the week.

"We are fortunate to have low crime rates in Ryedale, but that doesn't mean that people don't have concerns and we are aware these issues vary across the district.

"We want to be able to cover as much ground as possible on the week-long campaign and hope that the chosen venues reflect this desire".

The venues for the week are:

  • Morrison's supermarket, Malton, from 10am to 2pm on Monday
  • Norton Library from 10am to 2pm next Tuesday
  • Ampleforth Village Hall, from noon to 4pm on Wednesday
  • Woodlands Road Community Centre, Rillington, from 10am to 2pm on Thursday
  • Manor Close Community Centre, Kirkbymoorside, from 10am to 2pm on Friday.

Community safety link officer Emily Murphy said: "We are very enthusiastic about the week and are keen to get as much support for the events as possible.

"The week will launch in Morrison's supermarket in Malton and we hope that word spreads further from there.

"The four days following have been sponsored by Taylor's of Harrogate, and will see us hosting the events as part of a complimentary coffee morning, with tea and biscuits and other goodies free to those attending."

She added: "We hope this will make us more approachable and will encourage residents to come out and see us, and have a chat about anything - no matter how small - in an informal setting."

Ryedale community safety manager Ana Richards said: "We hope many people from the target areas and surrounding vicinities spare the time to come and have a coffee with us, tell us their views and what issues they would like to say not in my neighbourhood' to."