With the harvest season approaching police in Ryedale are urging farmers and agricultural workers to look after their equipment.
In recent weeks a dumper truck and a generator have been stolen in the area and officers are keen to remind people to take the necessary security measures to protect their property from thieves.
With local farmers and workers likely to be working long hours in the fields over the coming months it is important to ensure that expensive equipment is properly secured.
Sergeant John Clayton, of Ryedale Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:
The harvest season is important for farmers and they can ill afford to lose equipment at such a crucial time.
It is vitally important that expensive machinery is not left in fields overnight. This makes them an easy target for thieves who can operate unseen in rural, unlit areas.
Make sure your equipment is stored in locked buildings where possible and the keys are not left in them.
Sgt Clayton also urged residents to ensure that their sheds and outbuildings are protected against thieves.
Sgt Clayton added:
It is important that people take responsibility for their property and making sure that shed and outbuildings are properly secured is a step in the right direction.
Use good, strong locks to secure outer doors and even consider locking up items which are stored inside sheds and outbuildings.
It is also a good idea to install outside security lighting which can act as a good deterrent to potential thieves.
Another must to help prevent rural crime is to report any suspicious activity to the police so we can act upon it and build up a good picture of any ongoing criminal activity.
For more information about protecting your property from criminals, visit the North Yorkshire Police website www.northyorkshire.police.uk/ruralcrime
To report any suspicious activity in your area contact North Yorkshire Police on 101.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
