| Security
Farms protected as York rural security operation continues
An operation to boost the security of rural premises in and around York has seen more than a dozen farms protected against criminals - with even more still to come .
D ubbed " Operation Woollen " for farms and " Operation Woodchip " for other rural businesses , the campaign is the biggest rural crime prevention drive the city has ever seen .
Officers identified hundreds of York business premises that are located on industrial estates or away from built-up areas , and have been sending every one of them a self-assessment questionnaire and information about crime prevention . The crime prevention packs include a security survey and the offer of a visit from a ‘ crime prevention champion ’ – a PCSO from their local Neighbourhood Policing Team with specific training in business security .
" The operation will continue over the Christmas period , and we ' ll be booking in further properties for visits as soon as we can "
Since the campaign got underway at the end of September , 305 crime prevention packs have been sent out . 14 farm security visits have already taken place , with another 21 farms and seven businesses due to be booked in . 45 farms and 17 businesses have also signed up to the North Yorkshire Community Messaging
( left to right ) PCSO Daniel Stannard and PC Andrew Pearson , of the York North Neighbourhood Policing Team , and PC Neil Slater of the York Community Safety Hub , at one of the farm visits service as a result of Woollen and Woodchip .
PC Neil Slater , of the York Community Safety Hub , said : " We have had really positive feedback from people we have visited . Officers have been able to give useful advice on how to improve security , and many items of property have been securitymarked , from tractors to sit-on mowers , trailers and tools .
" The operation will continue over the Christmas period , and we ' ll be booking in further properties for visits as soon as we can ."
The campaign received national coverage when it was featured on BBC Radio 4 ' s Farming Today show on 20 October .
To find out more about Operations Woodchip and Woollen , contact PC Neil Slater or PCSO Melanie Parkin by calling North Yorkshire Police on the 101 nonemergency number .
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
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