More than 20,000 people are now signed up to an innovative community and crime alert service to help keep North Yorkshire safe.

North Yorkshire Community Messaging (NYCM) is a free system that allows people to register to receive the latest crime, safety and community news happening in their local neighbourhoods.

It was launched in April 2016, and is now used by North Yorkshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Neighbourhood Watch, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the district councils of Selby, Ryedale, Hambleton and Richmondshire.

More than 1,250 people joined NYCM in July 2017 alone, bringing the total number of subscribers to over 20,000. That’s more than enough to fill Headingley cricket ground – or York’s Bootham Crescent twice over.

As North Yorkshire is the largest county in England, community messaging can be used to share messages and appeals across a wide area very quickly, particularly in rural areas.

Users can tailor preferences for the type of message they receive, their preferred channel (phone, text, email or notification) and the locations that matter to them. A smartphone app even allows people to receive alerts based on their current location.
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