RESIDENTS in Richmondshire are being urged to take advantage of a new security marking system to deter thieves and protect property.

Richmondshire police have invested in the Dot Peen marking machine, and is offering the service free to residents and businesses.

Every year, police recover hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stolen property from the hands of criminals, but often there is no way of identifying its rightful owners. Being able to trace the ownership of the property not only helps people get the property back, but it can also provide evidence that is vital in securing convictions.

Sergeant Stuart Grainger said: “Richmondshire is a very safe place, but we do know that cross-border criminals target rural areas, on the look-out for outbuildings containing valuable property."

The marking involves using a tungsten carbide-tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number, which will be entered onto the national Immobilise property database. Email richmondshirepropertymarking@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.