STUDENTS returning to school in Hipswell, Catterick Garrrison will be welcoming their local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team to their campus.

PC Sean Godfrey and PCSO Graeme Gale will have a permanent base at Risedale Sports and Community College when the new term starts tomorrow (3 September).

the force is committed to increasing visibility and interaction with the communities we serve

Inspector Ian Thompson
North Yorkshire Police

The initiative is a partnership between North Yorkshire Police, the college and Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership, and is part of the force’s Safer Neighbourhood strategy to put officers at the heart of their communities.

PC Godfrey said: “We already work closely with the school to deliver lots of different schemes and projects including personal safety, citizenship lessons anti-bullying and alcohol awareness courses. We have a great relationship with the college and are looking forward to settling into our new accommodation and to build on our already successful work with the school and community.”

Inspector Ian Thompson of Richmond Safer Neighbourhoods Team, added: “We believe the move will have benefits for everyone involved; the force is committed to increasing visibility and interaction with the communities we serve. This is an ideal opportunity for the team to have a local base in the heart of Hipswell.

“It also gives the students an opportunity to get to know their local officers and to be able to interact with them in a positive environment.” John Kelly, Risedale College’s associate principal, added: “We welcome this close working arrangement with North Yorkshire Police and the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership for the support of the young people of Hipswell and Catterick.”

The initiative follows on from a successful pilot scheme in York earlier this year, when the local Safer Neighbourhood Team moved into a base at Westfield Primary School. Risedale Community College is the second school base in the county.

Pat Wilson, Community Safety Manager for Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership, said: "This is a really exciting initiative, and one that is sure to open up all sorts of opportunities for us to work even more closely with the local community.

"The York pilot was a big success, so we're delighted that Richmondshire is next to benefit from this pioneering scheme. We're all looking forward to the start of term so we can see it in action!"