RESIDENTS and business people in York are to be asked for their views on crime as a mobile police station goes into the community.

Officers in charge of policing the South Bank area will hold a special surgery on Wednesday to find out where local people want the force's resources to be focussed.

The mobile office will open in Ebor Street, off Bishopthorpe Road, next to the shopping parade, between 9am and 3pm.

Officers from Micklegate Policing Team will be on hand to explain changes to the neighbourhood policing structure that took place this month.

Police community support officer (PCSO) John Iemboli, who is helping to organise the day, said: "The police want to give the public and shop owners opportunity to come on board and air their views.

"We want to hear any worries or issues which people have within the community. It gives them a chance to come to us. We are doing our best to get out there.

"It is to make people aware of the restructuring process and how it works.

"If people have got any issues or concerns, this will give them a chance to air them."

Mr Iemboli said the force was particularly keen to hear from business people in the area.

He said: "We have targeted Bishopthorpe Road to give the shopkeepers a chance to air their views.

"We thought it would be a great opportunity for them to come on board."

Keith Chapman, chairman of Nunnery Lane Residents' Association, welcomed the move, saying: "We are very pleased about it.

"The police are really doing a good job. I think it is basically about getting the community to work together to see how we can help each other."

"It will be brilliant. Some of the shops will be delighted. It is a big opportunity for us to get our feelings across. I think it is great news."

He said many firms in Bishopthorpe Road were calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in the car park to reduce vandalism.