A major shake-up of policing is being proposed in North Yorkshire - including the closure of two local police stations and the relocation of several major services.

Plans are under way to close sub-stations at Easingwold and Thirsk, replacing them with community "One-Stop-Shops" in the towns.

Bosses have also put forward ideas to relocate several services from Northallerton and Easingwold to a single major centre in Thirsk.

Stuart White, North Yorkshire Police estates manager, said: "The plans are aimed at putting the police back in the heart of the community, making them more accessible and less intimidating to people.

"There is also the fact that we would close down old, antiquated properties and replacing them with newer, more up-to-date services."

A new "One-Stop-Shop" would be opened in the Galtres Community Centre in Easingwold, with plans for a similar service in Thirsk Market Place. These would enable the public to make inquiries, report crimes, make statements, show documents, and find out about safety issues.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "One-Stop-Shops have already been opened at Leyburn and Masham, and are proving very popular. With staff from many different services, they are usually staffed.

"This means the public can be in touch with the police, but officers can also get on to the streets doing the job they are trained to do."

Relocation of other services would see vehicle fleet maintenance, vehicle garaging and road policing moving from Northallerton.

These, and the armed response vehicle unit currently based in Easingwold, would be relocated to a new property on Thirsk Industrial Estate, also incorporating the Thirsk Local Area Policing office.

Updated: 10:57 Saturday, March 29, 2003