A NEW police office aimed at offering residents in a North Yorkshire town better access to officers and services has been opened.

The facility will be based at the North York Moors National Park Authority’s HQ at the Old Vicarage in Bondgate, Helmsley, in a link-up between the organisation and North Yorkshire Police.

The ribbon was cut by North Yorkshire Police Authority chairman Jane Kenyon at a ceremony which was also attended by the force’s temporary deputy chief constable, Tim Madgwick, and the national park authority’s chief executive Andy Wilson.

Ms Kenyon: “This is a happy occasion for those who live and work in Helmsley, as well as the many tourists who visit the town each year.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the national park authority for giving us the opportunity to work in partnership with them to improve our visibility in the town.”

Mr Madgwick said the move would allow the force to make itself “more accessible to the public and provide value for money”.

Mr Wilson said: “We already have an excellent working relationship with North Yorkshire Police and our rangers carry out regular joint patrols with officers to tackle rural antisocial behaviour in the national park.

“Having a base within the authority’s headquarters can only strengthen these links.

“We believe it will also offer a more convenient and cost- effective service to the public.”