A crime-reduction scheme named ‘Operation Drystone’ launched by North Yorkshire Police in October 2008 has started to see some impressive results. This rapid-response scheme involved more of a high-visibility police presence in the area in an attempt to drive down crime rates and reduce anti-social behaviour in the area and ultimately improve the quality of life for North Yorkshire residents.

Crime rates are now significantly down compared to the previous year, for example:

• Auto-crimes have reduced by 27.8 per cent
• Firework-related anti-social behaviour dropped by 34 per cent
• Overall crime figures for the area are down by 10.5 per cent