THE NORTH Yorkshire Police Eastern Area, which includes Easingwold, Malton and Scarborough, has seen changes at the top.

Superintendent Barry Honeysett has been made crime manager, based at Malton police station, where he is heading the area's CID team.

He has been joined by Superintendent Dave Coutts, who has become operations commander. Supt Coutts formerly worked on technical projects within the Administration of Justice Department.

Meanwhile, more senior officers have been brought into North Yorkshire Police to help create "resilience" at the top level and counter the threat of terrorism.

Superintendent Andy McMillan, who previously served with the City of London Police as a chief inspector, will take on the newly-created role of head of counter terrorism.

The controversial listening station at Fylingdales, near Pickering, on the North York Moors, and the US military base at Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, are believed to be potential terrorist targets.

Chief Constable Della Cannings said the extra senior-level officers would bolster the force and provide additional support in the event of a terrorist emergency.

She said: "As a result of an approach made by me to the Home Office, specific additional funding has been given to the force to deal with the threat from terrorism and it is from this money that we have provided extra senior officers.

"The individuals concerned have been chosen for their proven ability and I will be looking to them to play a leading part in the development of the North Yorkshire Policing Thrust, my programme of change which will bring about improved service delivery of policing in this county."

At the force's Newby Wiske headquarters, Superintendent Tim Madgwick has been made head of complaints and professional standards.

The former Chief Constable's staff officer, Superintendent Iain Spittal, has been made responsible for call handling and the force control rooms in his new role as head of public access.

In the York and Selby central area, Superintendent Javad Ali will take control of the CID unit as part of his responsibilities as crime manager.

Superintendent Alison Higgins, formerly based in Smethwick with West Midlands Police, has become central area operations commander.

Superintendent Martin Deacon, formerly of West Yorkshire Police, has become head of tactical planning and is also based at Newby Wiske. His responsibilities include emergency planning and road policing.

Finally, Inspector Kevin Doyle, formerly Harrogate's community safety officer, has been promoted to Superintendent and becomes crime manager for Western Area, based at Ripon.

Updated: 10:00 Tuesday, July 08, 2003