AN operation highlighting the role of special constables who carry out unpaid policing duties in their own time has been hailed a massive success.

Policing in North Yorkshire was boosted by more than 700 extra hours of patrol time at the weekend as 130 volunteer officers took to the streets as part of the UK-wide Specials Weekend.

Officers took on numerous operations across the county focusing on drugs, licensing and speeding in York and Selby, antisocial behaviour in Hambleton, Whitby, Scarborough and Harrogate and rural crime in Richmondshire, Hambleton and Whitby.

Operation Highwayman, the force’s drive to crack down on travelling criminals, received a boost in the Harrogate district along with Operation Umbridge, an ongoing campaign targeting theft from vehicles.

In York officers visited 18 licensed premises on Friday night to carry out licensing checks, working with door staff and managers to ensure licensing conditions were complied with and to discuss any concerns staff had.

Speed and vehicle safety checks were carried out across the York and Selby district targeting areas where local people had concerns about speeding or where figures show speed to be a factor in collisions.

• A total of 99 vehicles were stopped.

• Some 17 motorists were issued with speeding tickets.

• Another 18 drivers opted for a speed awareness course.

• Vehicle defect notices were issued in 19 cases.

• Seven motorists received verbal advice.

Special constables also joined regular colleagues in Selby town centre to carry out night-time reassurance patrols.

Chief Inspector Richard Anderson, who has responsibility for North Yorkshire’s special constabulary, said: “The weekend was a great success and made a significant contribution to policing the county.

“It has given us the opportunity to recognise and highlight how special constables work alongside their regular colleagues on a daily basis.

“The officers are to be commended for their dedication and commitment and their invaluable contribution to our communities.”

Chief Constable Peter Fahy, ACPO lead for the special constabulary, said: “The special constabulary make a tangible contribution to keeping the public safe.”

North Yorkshire’s special constabulary has 174 members, each of whom works at least 18 hours a month supporting neighbourhood policing teams, responding to incidents and helping police events.