RYEDALE Police have taken delivery of a new mobile police office (MPO) which will be enable officers to have a base at different locations in the area.

The VW Caravelle can accommodate up to five people for meetings and will be used to hold police surgeries as well as enabling officers to conduct cycle and foot patrols in our towns and villages.

It is equipped with a cycle rack so that beat officers and PCSO’s can take their police mountain bikes into villages and undertake high visibility patrols. The MPO also carries a side awning to extend its ground coverage.

Over the coming weeks the MPO will be appearing in Helmsley Market Place on Friday mornings and will be staffed by operational support officers and PCSO’s. Plans are also being put into place to do the same on Wednesday’s in Kirkbymoorside.

Nicki Pounder, PCSO for the Hovingham area will demonstrate the new MPO at 10am before setting off on cycle patrol in the village.

Inspector Andy Everitt, head of Ryedale Police, said "I am delighted that we have taken delivery of this highly versatile vehicle that will allow our beat officers and PCSO’s to get into our villages and towns and provide enhanced visibility and reassurance.

"It has the capability to double up as a place in which people can meet their local officers and a base from which officers can conduct cycle and foot patrols. I am particularly keen for this vehicle to be used in northern Ryedale as part of our thrust to deter and disrupt travelling criminality and be more visible to our isolated rural communities.’

Insp Everitt added: "Using the MPO, I welcome the additional presence of officers and staff in Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside on market days and I hope that residents will take the opportunity to meet with them to discuss issues of concern’

"Our MPO will also be used to assist in the policing of Ryedale events such as the MAG rally in Helmsley and at community events such as the Malton Festival of Cycling later this month."