Emergency calls to North Yorkshire Police could be hit come the Year 2000 - because its switchboard system cannot be upgraded to beat the Millennium bug.

The force is already gearing up for what it anticipates will be a spectacularly busy period and has supplied licensing magistrates with an event form so it can compile its own diary for the celebrations.

But preparations are also under way to head off what has the potential to be a catastrophic breakdown in the police's communications systems.

The switchboards, along with a range of other equipment which contains embedded chips, could be thrown into chaos on the stroke of midnight on Dec 31, 1999.

And the force is now investigating the substantial cost of replacing them.

In a report to the Police Authority, Chief Constable David Kenworthy has warned that the public will have 'genuine concern' over the force's ability to provide adequate cover.

"It is noticeable that the Millenium bug is now featuring more often in the newspapers and on television and in many cases the articles are negative, anticipating the failure of the utilities and consequent shortages, and a breakdown in law and order," he said.

"It is important that the public is aware of the work the force is carrying out and that a service will be provided.

"The Pledge 2000 initiative, in which North Yorkshire Police is a partner, seeks to address this concern."

The force has made an inventory of all its equipment and systems which could contain the chips. These include everything from computers, to generators and air conditioning units.

All its new contracts for goods and services now include a Millennium clause, to ensure they comply with the British Safety Standard.

Existing suppliers and service providers are also being contacted for confirmation that their chips can cope with the Year 2000 and to check they will be providing a service over the Millennium.

But the force will be concentrating its efforts on maintaining systems involved with communication and incident management, which are crucial to its effective operation.

Divisional and departmental representatives have been appointed throughout the force to co-ordinate the work to combat the bug and a newsletter and poster have been sent out to raise awareness of the issues concerned.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.