RESIDENTS who want to help reduce crime levels in the Selby area have been urged to join the Neighbourhood Watch scheme this year.

Only 85 out of 342 members of the scheme in the Selby district responded to a recent survey which was sent to see how many members were still active in the community, and organisers are hoping more people will get involved.

Councillor Mike Jordan is lead co-ordinator for the Selby district, and said he was keen to improve numbers throughout the region and not only in the town itself.

He said: “There were 342 and we have had responses to a survey to see who’s still active of only 85, which is only a quarter and quite disappointing.

“The group has been without a lead coordinator for two years so other than stuff from police on Ringmaster there’s been nothing going out and no organisation in the background at all.”

Coun Jordan said the survey has been sent to previous members again, to give them a second chance to respond, with those who don’t being removed from the database, but he said he hoped new members would soon come forward.

He said: “What we ought to do is see where we are light within the Selby district. It’s no good having them all based in one area. There are pockets in certain villages and none in others, which is disappointing but that’s how it is.

“It would be nice to have a co-ordinator within each parish. That would make life very simple, but there are a lot of parishes. I don’t expect them to do everything, but it gives you someone to be in touch with.”

Coun Jordan said he hoped to arrange a meeting towards the end of February for current and new members, and in the meantime is working with Inspector Richard Abbott and Inspector Mark Cahn.

He said: “Policing is going to be more volunteer-led, so phone me or go on the Neighbourhood Watch website. Some parts of Yorkshire are really ahead of the game, so it would be nice for Selby to catch up.”