A NEW study says the gap between reported crime and actual crime in rural North Yorkshire is 11 per cent. This is a worry for the police and the public.

Many residents of England's largest county live in isolated communities. Some worry about being a target for travelling criminals and fear the police are too far away to help.

North Yorkshire police have worked hard to bring down burglary rates. This achievement comes despite the force being denied manpower levels.

But all that hard work will be undermined if the public feels there is no point in reporting crime. The criminal will be the only winner from such apathy.