CRIME-fighting technology designed to help people protect their personal property has arrived in Ryedale.

“Dot peen” property marking involves using a tungsten carbide-tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number.

The unique number is entered onto a property register database, vastly increasing the chances that it will be reunited with its owner if it is lost or stolen.

A new dot peen machine is now available to the Ryedale Neighbourhood Policing Team, and North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, having been part-funded by Ryedale District Council.

It can be used on everything from steel and aluminium to plastic and is particularly effective on high-value, portable items such as power tools, horse equipment and bikes.

Inspector Martin Dennison said: “Marking your valuable property is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from being a victim of theft or burglary. Criminals will spot the engraving, and realise that the item will be too difficult to sell on.”

He added: “Should the worst happen, the unique number will vastly increase the chances that police can reunite you with your property if it’s lost or stolen.

“Being able to trace the ownership of stolen items in this way can provide key evidence that is vital in securing convictions.

For more information about the new marking service simply call into a local police station or visit northyorkshire.police.uk/whatisdotpeen.

Alternatively contact the Ryedale Neighbourhood Policing Team via email at ryedalepropertymarking@north-yorkshire.pnn.police.uk,