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Operation BYTE – Prevention of Catalytic Converter Theft May 2012
Following a recent spate of theft of Catalytic converters from vehicles in the Sherburn area for their scrap metal value, North Yorkshire Police and the Selby District Community Safety Partnership have launched Operation BYTE. The aim of the operation is to mark Catalytic Converters on the vehicles being targeted to act as a deterrent to thieves and those who would purchase them. The converters are being etched with the vehicle owner’s post-code and stencilled with a cat’s paw design using red heat-resistant paint. The vehicle will also display a window sticker high-lighting the fact that it has been marked. Scrap merchants are being warned not accept any catalytic converter marked as above (unless robust proof of ownership can be provided linked to the post-code), or where there is evidence that these marks could have been removed or the catalytic converter tampered with in any way. North Yorkshire Police will be conducting regular checks of scrap merchants records and premises. Any business or person found to be in possession of a stolen Catalytic Converter could face being arrested and charged with handling stolen goods. If found guilty it is also likely that their license to trade would be removed. Letters have been sent to recent victims of thefts, owners of 4X4 vehicles and vans to invite them attend at 2 marking events in the Sherburn area. Any member of the public who owns one of these type of vehicles are also welcome to attend.
The marking events will be held at ALM Garage Services, Unit 3, Enterprise Way, Sherburn In Elmet, on Friday 25th May between 1200 to 1500hrs and on Saturday 26th May between 0900 to 1200hrs. It is planned for more Catalytic Converter marking events to be held across the district. Anyone who has any information in relation to this or other crimes can contact North Yorkshire Police by calling 101 of if they wish to remain anonymous contact crime stoppers on 0800 555111 Op Cauldron - Sherburn in Elmet Action Day 17th May 2012
Action days are held across the Selby District on a regular basis to tackle local issues and provide a joined up multi Agency response to crime, Disorder and offending behaviour. These days are aimed at promoting multi agency working, targeting offending behaviour, reducing crime and disorder and supporting the vulnerable and those at risk.
Colin Moreton of the Selby District Community Safety Partnership said “ I am very pleased with the way the day has gone and the terrific partnership support that we have had from a wide range of organisations. The intelligence gathered during the day has been invaluable and will help us to continue to target offending behaviour in the future.”
Richard Abbott, the Safer Neighbourhood Police Inspector said “ What a fabulous day’s activity. I’m so pleased that so many organisations could come together to ensure that we continued the positive engagement we have visibly developed in the area. I'm hoping that today’s activity will be replicated on further days around the District. My thanks go out to the other organisations for supplying staff and to those involved for their enthusiastic approach to the operation. Its days like today that ensure we remain one of the safest areas in the country”.
Retailers in Selby have come together in the Town Hall with Selby Community Safety Partnership, North Yorkshire Police, APEX Radio Systems Ltd and Retailers Against Crime in York (RACY) to celebrate the launch of Selby Against Retail Crime (SARC), the town’s new retail crime partnership. A number of local retailers have signed up to the scheme under which they are provided with a radio to improve communication between each other, the police and the CCTV control room and receive regular information on known shop-lifters.New members heard words of encouragement and support from The Mayor Of Selby Cllr Wendy Nichols who launched the scheme, Inspector Richard Abbott of North Yorkshire Police and Katherine Sharp, Chairperson of Retailers Against Crime in York (RACY). APEX Radio systems distributed radios to the new members and provided training in how to use them.Katherine Sharp, RACY Chairperson has welcomed the SARC initiative saying “We have been really pleased to be asked to support the development of SARC and are confident it will follow on from the success of RACY in reducing shop theft in the town. We wish every success to its members” In support of the new scheme, APEX Radio Systems have now upgraded to a fully digitalised radio system across the town and have provided local police officers and the CCTV control room with updated radios to ensure effective liaison with retailers. They have also paid the first year’s SARC membership fees for its inaugural members and will do so for any store who comes forward before the end of May. Jim Curry, Managing Director or APEX Radio Systems said “For over 10 years Apex has provided a Two -Way radio system for the shops and pubs in Selby. It is an honour to continue working with all the partnership organisations and the traders in Selby. We are proud to release the new cutting edge highly secure Digital radio system into Selby to help combat crime and disorder and achieve a safer environment.”New SARC members have also been given incident report forms for use in gathering information on known shop-lifters. This information will then be used to support an Exclusion Order scheme which could ban the most prolific offenders from all SARC stores. A similar scheme is working effectively in York. For further information on joining SARC please contact Michelle Sutcliffe, RACY Coordinator on 01904 552084. |
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