Commissioner urges residents in areas of Craven and Harrogate to sign up for free security upgrades as scheme opens.

£719,590 is being invested to prevent burglary and protect individuals, families and businesses in over 1,000 homes and 90 farms along the borders of Craven District and Harrogate Borough with West Yorkshire.

It is an extension of the Protect Your Home scheme which has already improved security at hundreds of homes and farms near Selby on the border with West, South and East Yorkshire.

Following a security survey, upgrades will include: new locks for vulnerable doors, windows, garages and sheds, and alarm systems for farms and small holdings. For homes with suitable WiFi coverage the scheme also includes a RING video door bell.

Free security surveys and upgrades are available to homes in the parishes of Clapham cum Newby, Cononley, Lawkland, and Lothersdale areas of Craven and Allerton Mauleverer with Hopperton, Kirk Deighton, Kirk Hammerton, Leathley, Long Marston, North Deighton, Sicklinghall and Spofforth with Stockeld areas of Harrogate.

Eligible residents will receive a registration pack through the post over the next six weeks.

Residents are being encouraged to sign up to the scheme online at www.protectyourhome.org.uk

Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe said:

“I encourage everyone in Craven District and Harrogate Borough who is eligible for the scheme to sign up now, and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to protect your family, your home and your community.

“The survey and security upgrades are backed by the police, councils and crime prevention partners, providing practical advice and using the latest technology, such as RING video doorbells, aims to keep burglars away.

“Burglary can leave people feeling vulnerable, frightened and distressed, the best way of deterring criminals from the entire community is for as many residents as possible to sign up and make their properties more secure so please sign up as soon as possible.”

Chief Constable Lisa Winward, said:

“We absolutely recognise the harm, both financially and emotionally, that a burglary can have, and we continue to look for as many ways as possible to help reduce this type of crime.

“Investment in Automatic Number Plate Recognition is a big step towards improving our capability in detecting and disrupting criminal activity in the area.

“In addition, we re-launched our Rural Task Force at the end of last year with an aim to increase intelligence led operations in partnership with bordering Forces, Specialist Operations and local policing teams, targeting identified high harm offenders and Organised Crime Groups”.

Chief Inspector for the Harrogate and Craven areas, Alex Langley, said:

“The Protect Your Home scheme is a fantastic way to help home and farm owners improve their security, and North Yorkshire Police welcomes this further investment.

“The impact on victims of burglary is often devastating. We want to help residents in the area have the best security possible, and as part of that we encourage everyone who is eligible for this scheme to sign up to this fantastic initiative.”

North Yorkshire Police will also purchase additional Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and upgrade Rural Watch Signage in specific locations to detect and deter potential burglars.

Extensive crime prevention advice is available to everyone on the North Yorkshire Police website:
https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/