Vigilance urged as thieves target Land Rovers

Police are urging owners of Land Rover Defenders to be on their guard against vehicle thieves, particularly in rural areas.

The warning comes after a number of thefts and attempted thefts involving the vehicles across the county:

A Land Rover Defender was tampered with in Markington near Harrogate on the morning of 8 January 2016. It is believed offenders made off after activating the alarm. Crime reference 12160004174.

The theft of a green Land Rover Defender was reported in Crathorne, overnight 10-11 January 2016, registration TF07FEA. Crime reference 12160005723.

A green Land Rover Defender, registration APY156G, was stolen from Gribdale Terrace, near Great Ayton, during the night of 11-12 January 2016. Crime reference 12160006718.

A Land Rover Defender was entered in the Holgate area of York overnight 11-12 January 2016. Crime reference 12160006316.

There have also been thefts and attempted thefts of these type of vehicles recently in neighbouring force areas

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Two drink drivers who gave highest readings of Christmas campaign, appear in court

The two drink drivers who provided the highest breathalyser readings of North Yorkshire Police’s Christmas campaign, have appeared in court.

44-year-old Leanne Drinkwater of Fenby Gardens, Scarborough was arrested on suspicion of drink driving on 4 December, after providing a roadside breathalyser reading of 141ug of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over four times the legal limit.

Reflecting the severity of the offence, Scarborough Magistrates handed her a suspended sentence of 14 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, along with a five year ban from the roads. Drinkwater was also ordered to pay £170 in related charges, carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and attend an alcohol dependency programme.

40-year-old Ann Todd of Aske Avenue, Richmond was arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Richmond on 16 December. She returned a roadside breathalyser reading of 180ug in 100ml of breath – the highest reading of the campaign – over five times the legal limit.

Todd, who pleaded guilty, received an eight week suspended sentence, suspended for 12 months and a three year ban from driving. She was also ordered to pay £165 in related charges, complete 100 hours of unpaid work and to attend an alcohol dependency programme.

 

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Police drill home property marking message after thefts from vehicles in York

Police in York are planning to hammer out thefts from vehicles, with a call to motorists to ensure their property is secure.

Since the New Year, police have investigated 21 reported thefts from unattended vehicles across the city, with thieves particularly targeting power tools such as drills and saws. Six vehicles were targeted in the north of the city last weekend alone.

In addition to reiterating crime prevention advice, officers are now urging people to get such items security marked. To the untrained eye, a marked and unmarked drill will look identical – but a security engraving can make all the difference in deterring thieves and helping the police to find its owner.

The first of a series of dedicated property marking events will take place on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February from 8.30am to 12.30pm at B&Q in Clifton Moor.

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North Yorkshire Police urge people to secure their mobile devices

North Yorkshire Police is urging members of the public to make sure their mobile devices are secure in order to deter thieves and hackers.

Laptops, tablets and smartphones are more popular than ever. Two thirds of people in the UK now own a smartphone, with 33% of internet users seeing this device as the most important for online activity.

Cybercrime is a real threat across the UK, including in North Yorkshire. Since 1 April 2015, there have been 624 cyber-related incidents reported to North Yorkshire Police. The nature of these incidents, range from online bullying and Child Sexual Exploitation to holiday fraud and identity theft.

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