NORTH Yorkshire Police is appealing for help to identify a man who damaged the tyres on the force’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition van when it was parked near Whitby.

A CCTV image of the suspect has been released and officers are asking anyone who recognises the man to contact them.

The van was parked on the A171 near Whitby at around 5.15pm on Saturday  May 18, when the man approached the vehicle and slashed two of its tyres.

Temporary Inspector Paul Cording of the force’s Roads Policing Group, said: “The ANPR van is a vital piece of technology which we use on a daily basis to identify and disrupt travelling criminals. It also plays a crucial role during missing people enquiries as well as helping us to prevent and detect serious crimes.

“It is beyond belief why anyone would damage something which plays such an important role in keeping them and their local community safe.

“I urge anyone who knows the identity of the suspect to contact the police without delay.”

Anyone who can help police identify the man in the CCTV image is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Damien Taylor. Or you can email him at Damien.taylor@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk Or, you can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference 12130079748 when calling about this incident.