Speaker- Chief Constable North yorkshire Police

The Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, Graham Maxwell, gave members an inspiring talk outlining the philosophy of North Yorkshire Police.  He knows the region well starting his career as a beat officer in Middlesborough both in uniform and C.I.D. and eventually becoming Chief Superintendent.  He moved to West Yorkshire as Assistant Chief Constable and in 2005 became Deputy Chief Constable in South Yorkshire.  He is an advocate of Neighbourhood Policing and his priorities for the community are safer neighbourhoods, and working with the community. Fatalities on the roads are too high he believes. Recently in the region there were 3 murders but 81 fatalities on the roads, 17 being motorcyclists and 127 seriously injured. “Operation Anvil” will see road safety checks carried out night and day across the region. He emphasised that avoidable factors like inappropriate or excessive speed, drink driving, failing to use seatbelts, drug use, fatigue and using mobile phones while driving can save lives on the roads. The lead and spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers on Human Trafficking this is one of his major concerns.

Members were advised that the G.S.E. team from Nepal are still awaiting Visa clearance in India from the British Embassy in Delhi and the possible date for their arrival is now 9^th. May. The organisation for the Wensleydale Wander was discussed, as was the Club’s involvement in the Dales Festival of Food and Drink.