THE Evening Press Get On Board campaign is off to a flying start with the backing of North Yorkshire Police.

Youth Action Officer PC Stewart Ashton, of Malton, has given his thumbs-up to our plans to help build safe skateboard parks in Ryedale.

Without proper facilities boarders and skaters are forced to skate along main roads putting their own safety and that of pedestrians at risk.

The campaign aims to get boarders, skaters and town leaders together to sort out the problem once and for all.

PC Ashton said he was supporting the campaign because it would give young people in Ryedale much-needed facilities.

"I came to Malton from Scarborough earlier this year and it quickly became clear there is very little for young people," he said."Young people need some support and skating is a very popular sport, so I think a skateboard park is a great idea.

"I have already started looking at the possibility of getting a skate park organised. The Evening Press campaign is running alongside what I'm already doing, really, but I'm willing to do all I can to help."

PC Ashton said a skate park would help keep young people out of trouble. "Fifty per cent of complaints to the police about youths relate to nuisance behaviour," he said.

"Often the complaints come from people concerned about things like door-knocking and petty vandalism.

"But we also get lots of complaints from people because they don't want young people skateboarding on pavements or near their homes. If we had a skate park, that would go some way towards helping to solve some of these problems."

Despite some of the dangers associated with skating, PC Ashton said a skate park would provide a safer environment for young people.

"My son is mad on skateboarding and he's suffered a few injuries," he said. "But you've just got to accept that it is a dangerous sport - young people enjoy doing it."

If you would like to help the Evening Press in its campaign for a skate park, contact our reporters on 01653 690690.

Updated: 11:17 Saturday, September 08, 2001