2 million Government investment brings additional 32 Police Constables and 20 PCSOs to York and North Yorkshire
Neighbourhood policing in York and North Yorkshire is set for a major uplift, as Mayor David Skaith confirms that 32 new Police Constables and 20 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be recruited thanks to a £1,946,579 million investment secured in the first year of his mayoralty from the Government.
The funding, part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Mission to deliver neighbourhood policing, will be used to strengthen visible policing across the region with a focus on tackling anti-social behaviour, reducing crime, and boosting public confidence.
Announcing the new investment, Mayor Skaith said the message from communities had been clear: “People want to feel safer where they live – and they want to see more police officers on their streets. That’s exactly what we’re delivering. This is about local policing rooted in local priorities: listening to people, preventing crime, and making sure our towns, villages and neighbourhoods are supported and protected.”
The new officers and PCSOs will form part of dedicated neighbourhood teams, helping to increase police visibility, improve response to community concerns, and build stronger relationships with residents.
Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, who leads the region’s strategy on community safety, said the investment marked a turning point in restoring neighbourhood policing: “This is a real win for the people of York and North Yorkshire. It means more trusted faces in our communities, more early intervention, and more capacity to tackle the issues that matter most – whether that’s drug-related harm, anti-social behaviour, or supporting young people at risk. We’re putting prevention and presence back at the heart of policing.”
North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber said: “Neighbourhood policing is not only the bedrock of public trust and confidence but the foundation of early intervention and prevention – removing the criminal activity that results in victims of crime at the earliest possible point to prevent offending and further victims.
“When I took up the role of Chief Constable in North Yorkshire Police in April 2024, I set out my ambitions for the force, including delivering outstanding neighbourhood policing, and over the past nine months, we have been undertaking a review of our neighbourhood policing operations to better identify the demands on these teams across the county.
“I want Neighbourhood Policing to be at the forefront of what we do, leading the way in engaging with our communities; delivering targeted activity on key issues; and using evidence-based problem solving to drive down crime and ASB.
“I warmly welcome this further investment in officers and resources to strengthen that crucial work. These additional resources, alongside the evidence from our Neighbourhood Policing Review, will enable us to give our communities a police service that is visible and accessible and responds effectively to deal with the issues that matter most to local residents.”
The announcement has also been welcomed by the Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, who said the investment reflects the Government’s commitment to community safety and effective local partnership: “Neighbourhood policing matters – it’s what builds trust and tackles the issues people care about most. I’m delighted to see this funding going into York and North Yorkshire, where David and Jo’s strong local leadership is already making a difference.”
Recruitment is under way with the first cohort starting their training in autumn 2025. Initial training will take 21 weeks after which students will join their teams for the next phase of their training programme, working alongside fully trained officers in the community.
The new officers will be based where they’re needed most, with local policing teams using community feedback and crime data to target areas experiencing higher levels of anti-social behaviour, rural crime, or vulnerability.
This latest investment builds on a growing programme of work led by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and will support the delivery of the region’s new Police and Crime Plan, launched earlier this year, focusing on tackling serious violence, reducing reoffending, and improving support for victims.
It reflects a joined-up commitment – across the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and North Yorkshire Police – to strengthen safety, trust and resilience in every part of the region.
On 15 May Jo Coles will hold her regular scrutiny meeting with North Yorkshire Police. This meeting will focus on neighbourhood policing where we will hear an update on the policing review to determine the optimum number of PC and PCSO roles required to deliver outstanding neighbourhood policing across York and North Yorkshire.
The meeting starts at 2.00pm, will be broadcast live and full details along with meeting papers are published online: https://bit.ly/OPM15may2025. Questions relating to neighbourhood policing are encouraged, but questions for any area of the police service are welcome and should be submitted using the online form on our website: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/YourVoice/