MORE than a dozen new North Yorkshire Police officers have graduated and will take to the streets this month.

A passing out ceremony was held for the 14 officers, following an 18-week training course, and takes this year's total of new officers for the force to 69.

Chief Constable Dave Jones led the ceremony, and said: "Throughout their career, they will use many skills and develop new ones. They will be challenged and sometimes pushed to their limits when dealing with what can be some of the most distressing and toughest situations a person can face. But knowing they have saved someone’s life, protected the vulnerable or brought justice for victims will outweigh all these challenges."

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said: "In tough times we are one of few police forces able to continue to recruit and train new police officers.

"Congratulations go out to the new recruits. I know they have worked very hard to get to this point, and can now look forward to going out into the community and putting all of their training into practice."

Three of the new PCs will be based in York, four in Harrogate, one in Selby, three in Scarborough, two in Richmond and one in Northallerton, and all will work alongside tutor constables for 15 weeks.