Page 52 - ALG Issue 3 2016

General
Police and Council Initiative Works with Allotments to Cut Tool Thefts
Police and allotment holders are working with City of York Council in a pioneering initiative to reduce tool thefts. They’ve bought
a ‘dot peen’ marking tool, originally developed for factories, to imprint markings on garden tools. So far the scheme is a success with no thefts reported.
City of York allotment representatives met North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Julia Mulligan, last year to discuss reducing crime and anti-social behaviour on allotments. The Commissioner suggested applying to her newly established Community Fund.
With help from Darren Lovatt, the City Council’s Allotments Of cer, Bootham Allotments Association gained nearly £4,000 from the Commissioner’s Fund. They bought a ‘dot peen’ marking tool used by North Yorkshire Police and Community Support Of cers. First they visited city run sites to mark tools and then moved on to other sites; they also marked items such as bicycles brought in by local people.
Darren Lovatt investigated marking systems and found one used to mark machinery. Telesis supplied the handheld battery operated marker. Dot peen marking uses a tungsten-carbide tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number or other identi er such as a postcode. Marking pressures can be set for different materials including harder stainless steel. Dot peen is quick to apply and dif cult to remove.
Lee Pointon, of York Police, said: “Marking your property is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from being a victim of crime.
The unique number can be entered on the national immobilise property database, increasing chances of reuniting with owners if lost or stolen. While other property markings can be effective, the visual deterrent of a permanently marked serial number alone can deter would-be thieves.
“When a criminal spots the permanent unique number on one of the thousands of items we have already marked, they will know straightaway that it is too hot to handle. If something was stolen, marked property is far harder to sell on, and we are much more likely to be able to return it to you if we recover it.
Cllr Nigel Ayre, Cabinet Member for Leisure at City of York Council, said: “The dot peen campaign has boosted awareness
of allotment security, recognised by shortlisting for a public sector communication award. Nearly 2,000 items have been marked across council and community allotment sites by council and police of cers during the campaign’s rst 12 months.”
“We’re really pleased to be working closely with our colleagues at City of York Council and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as local residents themselves, to help make people and property in York even safer.” North Yorkshire Police have now purchased more markers and are using them on equestrian and other high risk items in other parts of the police area.
Fire service personnel have been involved in marking sessions to point out re risks on allotments where arson is a problem. Simple measures like removing dried grass or re accelerants reduce risk of res or the risk of res spreading.
Reported thefts can be followed up with police visits to car boot sales. So far this hasn’t happened as no thefts have occurred! It’s clearly an initiative other groups and the police could try. Tool thefts are distressing and costly so measures that help reduce risks are worthwhile.
North Yorkshire Police are delighted with the scheme. Inspector
Roger Backhouse
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