Night marshals on patrol over festive period

Night marshals are to be deployed in two North Yorkshire towns to help keep people safe while enjoying the festive nightlife.

The marshals will patrol Harrogate and Selby to "monitor and manage behaviour" at taxi ranks and other key locations, according to North Yorkshire Council.

Funding of £6,500 has come from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, as part of its Community Safety District Level Funding.

Councillor Heather Phillips, executive member with responsibility for community safety, said while "there is no specific problem" in either town, the night marshals "will provide an added layer of reassurance to all those out and about".

"The festive season brings a significant increase in visitors and late-night activity, and this can often be accompanied by alcohol-related incidents and anti-social behaviour," she said.

Two night marshals, from private security company X9 Security Solutions, will operate in each town, supported by North Yorkshire Police.

In Harrogate, the initiative - which is also supported by the BID - started on 5 December.

It will run on Friday and Saturday nights throughout December until 3 January, as well as on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.

In Selby, the night marshals will start their shifts in the town centre this Friday. They will then return on 19 and 20 December and finally on 26 and 31 December.

Insp Greg Davies, from the Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team, said he was sure the initiative would have positive benefits.

"Police officers will be working alongside the marshals to keep people safe on a night out, especially as town centres get busier in the run-up to Christmas," he said.

"The initiative has been very well received elsewhere and we're confident that both Harrogate and Selby will be no exception".

If the night marshals prove to be a success, they could be brought back annually, with the potential to expand their role across other towns, the council added.

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