Thousands of farms across North Yorkshire will be offered a free security check-up. Operation Woollen was developed by PC Neil Slater and PCSO Mel Parkin of the York Community Safety Hub, and has so far seen dozens of farms around York offered security advice and visited by a police crime prevention expert.
The operation will now be rolled out across all of North Yorkshire – the largest county in England – by North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce. Some 8000 farms across the county will receive a crime prevention pack in the post, including a security survey, information about dot peen property marking and North Yorkshire Community Messaging. They will also be offered a free visit from a ‘crime prevention champion’ – a PC or PCSO from the Rural Taskforce or local Neighbourhood Policing Team with expertise in farm security.
Insp Jon Grainge, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “North Yorkshire is the safest place in the country, but it’s important we stay vigilant and do everything we can to keep people and businesses safe, particularly in rural areas. Thanks to Operation Woollen, every farm in the county will receive a crime prevention pack, and be offered a security survey by a trained expert. In addition, we will be promoting dot peen property marking, and encouraging businesses to sign up to the North Yorkshire Community Messaging system.
“Starting this month, and continuing throughout the year, farms should look out for a letter from North Yorkshire Police, and return the form in the pre-paid envelope provided. Of course, anyone wanting crime prevention advice as soon as possible can contact us directly on [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.”
Dot peen marking involves using a tungsten carbide-tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number. The unique number will be entered onto the national Immobilise property register database, vastly increasing the chances that it will be reunited with its owner if it is lost or stolen. Look out for drop-in property marking sessions on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #whatisdotpeen
About North Yorkshire Community Messaging
The free system lets people register to receive crime notifications and community news in their neighbourhoods. People can register or download the free app for Apple and Android devices via www.nycm.co.uk.
