POLICING targets in North Yorkshire for the coming year will be challenging, according to Chief Constable Della Cannings.

But she told the county's police authority the three key words were "delivery, delivery, and delivery".

She said: "That is absolutely essential. We have to achieve it."

Ms Canning said 18 new officers had joined the county police force this week, taking the total to 69 in recent weeks.

"We have to improve what we do and make it clear to the public what we do, and to ensure that other agencies take on their responsibilities."

County Coun David Lloyd-Williams, of Norton, said: "We have got to deliver. People are expecting delivery of services after the brave decision we made on increasing the authority's tax level."

County Coun Michael Heseltine said that complaints about the service in police control rooms were still being received. "There must be things done so people can see we mean what we say."

Ms Cannings said she wanted to see a reduction in the demands on the police.

She welcomed the introduction of new police community support officers. Initially she said there would be 41 in North Yorkshire, with possible a further 30 to follow.

Members agreed that the support officers were the first step towards delivering a visibly better police service.

Deputy Chief Constable Peter Walker said the officers, who will not have detention powers, would provide "visible reassurance to the public."

Updated: 08:57 Thursday, April 03, 2003