A new scheme to deter crime in York’s allotments has been sown by City of York Council and partners.
Bootham Stray Allotment Association, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Safer York Partnership (SYP) and North Yorkshire Police (NYP) are among those digging in with the council to back a campaign to mark and record property in the city, starting off with plot holders’ equipment used in the city’s allotments.
As part of the new ‘York Allotments Against Crime’ campaign, a bid to fund a security marker was made by Bootham Stray Allotment Association – with support from City of York Council – to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund. The funds were awarded and a security marker has been bought. It will be used to engrave the property of allotment holders across the city at drop-in marking sessions starting on Saturday 4 July. Other markers funded by Safer York Partnership and North Yorkshire Police have been bought for wider use across the city.
Allotment plot holders have been invited to a number of property marking events which start on 4 July and run until September. The timetable is at https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/2488/tool_marking_event
Once an item is marked, an officer will record it on the police database, so if it is stolen and retrieved it can be more quickly returned to its owner and, if possible, used as evidence.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at City of York Council, said:
“We have very popular allotments in York which we want residents to enjoy in as secure an environment as possible. With this scheme we are encouraging plot holders to ensure their equipment is securely stored, and that it’s security marked to help deter theft.”
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