POLICE in North Yorkshire should take a tougher stance with criminals, according to a poll of hundreds of people.

The findings came from a public consultation into the future of policing in North Yorkshire which has now been completed.

The Police and Crime commissioner Julia Mulligan, who was elected in November, told a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police and Crime panel yesterday she had personally met about 600 people to discuss the draft Police and Crime Plan since February 4.

Of those questioend, 62 per cent were keen to see a harder line taken with criminals while 62 per cent also thought confidence in North Yorkshire Police needed to be improved.

The plan includes pledges to do more to tackle serial offenders, to improve support for victims and to create a new Northern Base for North Yorkshire Police instead of the current Newby Wiske headquarters.

Speaking at the meeting in Northallerton, Mrs Mulligan also announced a restructure of some managerial roles, which meant police leaders would work more closely with the police and crime commissioner’s office.

Independent officers will now deal with police disciplinary matters.

Mrs Mulligan said staff affected by changes in roles had been told and would be consulted, and she announced that former chief executive of the North Yorkshire Police Authority Jeremy Holderness – currently working in her office – had said he would not be going for the new role of chief executive officer.

She said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jeremy for all the support he has given me over the last three months.”

Other feedback given over the draft police and crime plans from the public suggested more needed to be done to tackle urban crime and antisocial behaviour.

The final plan is now expected to be completed by Monday and go “live” by next Thursday.

Acting Chief Constable Tim Madgwick was asked by the panel at the meeting whether he felt he could deliver the plan, and said: “It’s an aspirational plan and there are real challenges around parts of it.”

He said while North Yorkshire Police could meet some standards better, it was a successful force and plans could be achieved with “three years of hard work”.

To see the draft plan, visit crimeplan.org.uk