A TOTAL of 27 new police officers are now ready for action across North Yorkshire - and another 29 have stepped into the classrooms they've left behind.

The group celebrated the completion of their initial 18-week training course at a passing out ceremony hosted by Temporary Chief Constable Lisa Winward.

“They are now ready for the next stage of their careers as they go out into our communities under the guidance of their tutors," she said.

"They can now look forward to a career like no other that will require resilience, courage and compassion but will be hugely rewarding."

The new officers bring a variety of life experience to the job with former careers ranging from film-makers to probation officers, project managers to former police control room staff. Some have also gained policing experience through volunteering as special constables and have now realised their dream of becoming full-time police officers. They will be based in York, Harrogate, Scarborough, Selby, Northallerton Richmond, Catterick and Stokesley.