The Rural Task Force of North Yorkshire Police has unveiled plans to safeguard farms in the region through the deployment of cutting-edge forensic marking technology. This endeavour seeks to serve as a deterrent to criminals and aid law enforcement in the recovery of stolen assets such as trailers, quad bikes, and GPS systems.
The SelectaDNA kits, which will be disbursed by the Rural Task Force, are poised to play a pivotal role in the fight against crime in rural areas. Each farm is eligible to receive a maximum of five kits, subject to availability.
This pioneering marking solution has been engineered to remain effective for a minimum of five years when utilized in outdoor settings. Upon analysis, it discloses a distinctive code that unmistakably connects the marked property with its rightful owner. Alongside marking the property, the police will also dispense signs cautioning potential wrongdoers about the presence of SelectaDNA, urging them to reconsider before attempting theft on marked properties.
The financing for this initiative has been secured from the Safer Streets Fund, a nationwide programme focused on alleviating and preventing crime through evidence-based interventions. The decision to roll out the SelectaDNA kits comes in the wake of a troubling surge in trailer thefts in North Yorkshire. Statistics indicate an escalation from 63 thefts between February 2022 and 2023 to 104 thefts between February 2023 and 2024.
It has been highlighted that perpetrators often utilize vehicles capable of towing trailers and employ tactics like cutting chains, locks, and gates to access caravan sites, farms, and outbuildings. The deployment of this state-of-the-art marking technology will significantly facilitate the identification of stolen trailers and prompt their expedient return to their rightful owners.
In a bid to ensure widespread adoption, officers and personnel from the Rural Task Force will personally provide the kits to farmers who may be particularly susceptible to rural crime due to location or other factors. Furthermore, the kits will be disseminated through local Rural Watch schemes and offered free of charge during drop-in sessions, including those organized by agricultural retailers.
The inaugural session will be conducted at Ripon Farm Services on Dallamires Lane, Ripon, on Monday, May 13, from 10am to 2pm. During the session, officers will furnish comprehensive explanations of how the system operates and aid farmers in registering their SelectaDNA kits.
The endeavour to safeguard North Yorkshire farms through the utilization of advanced forensic marking technology represents a significant stride in fortifying security in rural areas. With the deployment of the SelectaDNA kits and the backing from the Safer Streets Fund, law enforcement aims to diminish the prevalence of theft and instil a heightened sense of security for farm proprietors and laborers throughout the region.