A BURGLARY victim has spoken out in favour of plans to site North Yorkshire Police’s headquarters in a village near Thirsk, saying it could serve to lower crime in the village.

Jane Kendall said she had been devastated by a raid on her home in October and the force’s proposal to build a base for its 550 staff in an 8.4-acre field between the A61 and A19 in South Kilvington, along with a custody suite and operational facilities, would make the village a safer place to live.

She said: “If the police are around the corner it might deter burglars from returning.

“A lot of the villagers that I have spoken to are keen for the new headquarters, or do not mind either way.

“Unfortunately, these peoples’ voices are never heard and have no wish to attend meetings.”