FIREARMS police are better prepared than ever to face the terrifying threat of an armed incident or terrorist attack, according the officer responsible for a new North Yorkshire Police team.

Inspector Richard Armstrong has been brought in from West Yorkshire Police to head the force's new 100-strong Firearms Support Unit.

He told the Evening Press that armed officers and dog handlers had been brought together and redeployed at Tadcaster and Thirsk to allow them to respond to emergencies across the county as quickly as possible.

Police statistics reveal that around 135 firearms incidents took place in North Yorkshire last year, only a tenth of the 1,300 that occurred in West Yorkshire.

But police chiefs have invested heavily in the combined unit which is responsible for reacting to serious incidents, patrolling possible terrorist targets and protecting Royal visitors and VIPs.

Mr Armstrong said: "It's a necessary feature of all forces nationally that they have the capability to deploy armed officers to a wide range of situations.

"Fortunately, in North Yorkshire the number of such incidents is very low and by training and equipping our officers appropriately, the aim is to keep those figures very low.

"We also want to send out a strong message that we will deal with armed incidents very robustly, as well as providing a commitment to counter terrorism."

Royal Military Police officers link up with North Yorkshire Police to provide a 24-hour armed police presence at US spy base Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, which is seen as a possible target for extremists.

But armed police also play a vital role in day-to-day policing, with strategic patrols in hot-spot areas and intelligence-led operations against known criminals.

For example, in the recent week-long search for former Selby dustman Mark Hobson, they joined search teams across the county.

He has since been charged with murdering his girlfriend, her sister and an elderly Strensall couple.

Mr Armstrong added: "From my experiences of some of the larger forces up and down the country I can say that the North Yorkshire team is focused and committed to providing a quality service and reducing crime."

Updated: 10:23 Monday, September 13, 2004