POLICE chiefs today launched North Yorkshire's first "no-crime day".

Selby district police are working with agencies from across the district to flood the area with yellow-jacketed law-enforcers.

Military, transport and RAF police will join beat officers and council workers, fire crews, security guards, neighbourhood watch, education officers and many more in providing a high visibility official presence for the area.

The officers will be working with members of the public to try to improve Selby's strong record in tackling crime, and to try to prevent as many offences on the day as they can by their presence.

The zero-crime day is the brainchild of Selby-based Sergeant Chris Witty.

He said: "This is about whether members of the public want to tolerate crime or if they want to do something about it.

"We want everyone to get behind this initiative because it will be the public who will dictate whether it is a success or not.

"I believe it has already been a huge success, whatever happens, because all the groups have bonded together to make this happen."

Posters have also been put up around the town stating "our community will not tolerate crime and disorder on this or any other day".

It lists burglary, violence, theft, domestic abuse, drunken disorder, drug taking, nuisance behaviour, speeding, arson, littering, bullying and discrimination as crimes which will be particularly tackled.

Records will be kept for the entire period from 12.01am today to 11.59pm tonight.

Officers are expecting the possibility of detecting more crime because of the higher officer levels, but hope the pressure of a flood of highly visible officers will result in far less incidents.

Sgt Witty said: "If we have what is, in effect, a bobby on every corner then we expect to keep crime down."

Updated: 10:34 Friday, June 18, 2004