| Security
8,000 farms offered free crime prevention advice in major rural policing operation
Thousands of farms across North Yorkshire will be offered a free security check-up , as part of a major new crime prevention initiative .
A prevention survey can also be website , accessed via the “ Staying safe ” www . northyorkshire . police . uk page of the North Yorkshire Police lthough North Yorkshire is the safest place in the country , isolated and rural areas are frequently targeted by cross-border criminals , who travel from outside the area to commit crime .
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 has been very well-received in the city , and will now be rolled out across all of North Yorkshire - the largest county in England - by North Yorkshire Police ’ s Rural Taskforce .
Eight thousand 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 .
Inspector 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 ruraltaskforce @ northyorkshire . pnn . police . uk 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
North Yorkshire Community Messaging is a free system that lets people register to receive the latest 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
The Operation Woollen crime
40 | Farming Monthly | February 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk