BOBBIES on the beat for the 21st century have begun their duties across Tadcaster and York as part of a ground-breaking community police initiative.

Dedicated officers have been allocated to each ward in York and in seven areas across Selby District to help find solutions for long-term crime issues.

They will patrol their patch on foot or on bicycles, and will work with community groups to reduce anti-social behaviour and increase public safety.

Selby commander, Inspector David Hunt, said: "I don't want officers to be flashing past in cars. I want them to be out so that they can interact with the community. I am confident that the information we need will then begin to flow."

PC Liz Young is the new community beat officer for Tadcaster, and she forms part of a new Selby Police unit co-ordinated by Sgt John Manuel.

PC Young will work shifts between 8am and midnight. She can be contacted on 01904 631321.

In York, a new team - consisting of three sergeants and 20 constables known as ward managers - will be headed by Chief Inspector Howard Harding. "We want local people to know who their ward manager is in the same way that they know who their local councillor is," Chief Insp Harding said.

The team will soon be sharing their premises at Clifford Street police station with Safer York Partnership, the city's crime and disorder reduction partnership.

Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, April 08, 2003