GIVE US more bobbies on the beat - that is the demand of almost half the people questioned in a North Yorkshire Police survey.

The force quizzed almost 1,000 people in the street and on the internet about what they wanted from policing.

They found an "overwhelming desire" for more police presence on foot in towns, villages and rural locations across the county.

About 47 percent of people said they wanted to see more bobbies on the beat. Most said they thought more visible officers would act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour or nuisance youths.

But many people did say they had noticed more Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) patrolling the streets.

Chief Constable Della Cannings said in a report to the police authority: "There was an overwhelming request for more police presence on foot in local communities.

"North Yorkshire Police already has plans in place to boost the numbers of police, PCSOs and Special Constables in local communities through expansion of the neighbourhood policing teams, which will be in place by April 1."

About 95 per cent of people said they felt very or quite safe at home and 92.5 per cent said they felt safe at work.

Respondents named the top five priority issues as violence, drugs, burglary, robbery and anti-social behaviour.

Terrorism was seen as a low or medium priority by about 58 per cent of people, but some said they would probably feel differently if they lived in another part of the country. About 34 per cent of those questioned said it was important to take their own security measures. Examples included house alarms, personal alarms, property marking, security locks, double glazing, CCTV, and hiding personal effects and valuables.

Almost two-thirds of people said litter was an important issue, and many said police should send out a message by issuing on the spot fines. Some people asked for their local police station to be open longer hours and wanted a quicker response. While 38.5 per cent of people knew who their local police contact was, only 6.7 per cent of people said they would contact police through their local neighbourhood policing team, and just over a quarter knew the force's non-emergency telephone number - 0845 60 60 247.

The Chief Constable said it was encouraging that so many people felt safe at home and at work.

She said: "North Yorkshire Police is making sure that the public's priorities are acknowledged."

Updated: 09:52 Tuesday, March 14, 2006