Immobilise.com
Members of the Safer Ryedale Partnership attended the visitor centre at Dalby Forest on Friday 4th September to launch an initiative aimed at reducing cycle thefts in the district. The initiative aimed at cycle users across the district promotes the use of cycle locks and also the use of ‘immobitags’ a type of electronic marking device which enables cycles to be identified anywhere in the UK. Sgt Paul Stephenson of Ryedale Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team has liaised with the manufacturers of Immobitag, and as a result is able to offer this device to cyclists at a greatly reduced price. Cycle owners are then required to register their cycles online at immobilise.com, which forms part of a national property register. Cyclists attending Dalby Forest on Friday were given crime prevention advice and a number were given cycle locks free of charge on behalf of the partnership. Additional cycle racks are also to be installed at the visitor centre and cycle locks will be made available for loan on application at the customer service desk. Sgt Steve Pearse and Safer Ryedale partners Gail Snowden and Sandi Clark spent the morning with PCSO Joh Abbott talking to visitors to the centre and handing out leaflets promoting crime prevention and also handing out the cycle locks. 14 year old Kenny Anyan of Pickering, a recipient of one lock said, “That’s amazing, brilliant” whilst his friend Cameran Spittall of Thornton-le-Dale said, “it’s a really great idea, it will kepp everything safe.” Sgt Pearse added that “whilst today sees the launch of the initiative, the partnership will continue its work to keep Ryedale the safe place it is to both live and visit; We thank the Forestry Commission for their help in this project and look forward to working with them in the future. The centre attracts approximately 400,000 visitors per year and is one the most popular visitor attractions in the region.
