A PILOT programme in Craven involving multi- service officers has been welcomed by the Conservative candidate in the approaching Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election.

Philip Allott says he welcomes the success of the project and if elected in May will roll it out to other rural parts of North Yorkshire.

The initiative involves the employment of multi-service officers who are a reserve firefighter, a member of the local policing team and also a medical first responder, who step in before the arrival of an ambulance.

The initial pilot programme saw the public safety officers wearing one hat but representing three badges - the police, fire and NHS emergency first responder.

A key part of the role has seen the public safety officers supporting their communities with fire safety training, crime prevention, presenting health and wellbeing information to local schools and residents and also supporting the more vulnerable.

The policing part is based on using the community safety accreditation scheme powers authorised by the Chief Constable and focuses on reducing anti-social behaviour, with the objective of enhancing public confidence.

Mr Allott said: “I am delighted with the initial success in Craven which means that I feel confident in supporting its roll out elsewhere. This means we can actually have somebody who is a reserve firefighter, PCSO and NHS emergency first responder – who can be financed for fulltime employment using a more flexible method of funding from different pots.”

“Ultimately, we have seen in Craven better value for money, the creation of full-time employment and the provision of firefighters, at a time when it is proving more difficult to recruit retained firefighters within four minutes travelling time to a fire station.”

Police and crime commissioner elections are due to take place across the country on May 6.