POLICE in North Yorkshire have become the first in the country to publish an iBook in their efforts to keep communities safe from criminals.

The interactive tool contains hundreds of tips on how to protect homes, including chapters on bogus callers, burglary prevention, property marking, vehicle security and rural crime.

The innovative iBook, called Securing Your Home, features 60 pages of crime prevention advice and can be downloaded from the iTunes store or the North Yorkshire Police website.

Other features include videos from officers and PCSOs discussing their top crime prevention tips, links to useful online resources and an interactive safety checklist.

There is also detailed technical information available about doors, windows, lighting and burglar alarms.

The iBook was designed by the force’s digital media office Tom Stirling who said: “We are always looking for new, innovative ways to communicate with the public and get crime prevention messages across in the most effective way possible.

“Social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook have enabled us to reach our communities instantly, to keep them informed and a lot of people are receptive to online communications.

“With this in mind, we thought that by publishing an iBook, our tips to keep criminals at bay can be accessed in one place.”

Temporary Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “As a force, our main concern is the safety of our communities and protecting them from people who commit crime.

“An awful lot of work has gone into preventing burglaries but residents and businesses have a part to play too.

“The iBook is an extremely useful tool, which people can use to ensure their properties are as well secured as they can be, and I am pleased the force is leading the way in digital communications yet again.”

The iBook, produced at no cost to the force, is compatible with iPad, iPad Mini and will soon be available for most phones