A NEW police chief has been appointed for the Ryedale, Hambleton, Scarborough and Whitby areas.

David Short, who has headed North Yorkshire Police's Eastern Area on a temporary basis in the last few weeks, was selected from 11 applicants to officially take up the post at the rank of Chief Superintendent.

He said: "I feel very pleased and privileged to have been given this appointment and with it the opportunity of developing the policing service in this part of the county.

"My first priority is to make best use of the recent high level of investment that has been made in the service by providing high visibility patrols and working with the community to tackle the issues that are giving them concern. I am well aware that the public are looking for reassurance and want to feel safe as they go about their daily lives. My aim is to do all I can to bring that about."

Chief Supt Short, who is a keen biker, has been a leading figure behind the North Yorkshire Bike Safe road safety campaign, which has been taken up by many of the country's police forces and won the Prince Michael of Kent National Road Safety Award.

Mr Short, who is married, lives in Ryedale. He will continue to be based at the area headquarters in Malton.

Updated: 11:02 Thursday, May 01, 2003