The time was when we looked to our local police to make us feel safe in our own homes and neighbourhoods.

Increasingly now, York communities are turning to private security patrols. No fewer than nine areas of York are now using council taxpayers' cash to employ "community rangers".

Funded by ward committees, they are patrolling neighbourhoods from Woodthorpe to Wigginton, helping tackle antisocial behaviour and low-level crime.

Some might think it wrong that local communities should effectively be paying for their own policing - especially when, in recent memory, council taxpayers forked out for huge increases in police precept.

As a result, North Yorkshire now has more police officers than ever before - not to mention police community support officers, whose very job is to be a reassuring presence on the streets.

With all of this, why is it that local people feel they have to pay for private security as well, simply in order to feel safe? Surely that is what the police are there for?

Nevertheless, if by paying for a community ranger patrol locals do feel safer, it is money well spent.

It is often said the fear of crime is as bad as the reality.

If these patrols can prevent even a single burglary, while at the same time setting people's minds at rest, they will have proved to be a good investment.