I REFER to the letter from K Chapman (June 29) raising concerns about the service provided by North Yorkshire Police.

The statistics recently released by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary were collated in the autumn of 2003 and, as such, their current publication does not reflect the current performance and service provided by officers from North Yorkshire Police.

As the area commander for the western area of North Yorkshire Police, let me assure communities within this area that significant improvements have been made in the categories of policing covered in that report since the time the data was collated.

North Yorkshire Police provides an excellent service to all communities within the area, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

B Mitchell,

Chief Superintendent,

Western Area Commander,

North Yorkshire Police.

Updated: 11:07 Monday, July 05, 2004