Ryedale Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team and The Safer Ryedale partnership are to introduce a scheme aimed at reducing the number of bicycle thefts across the Ryedale District. The partners have purchased a number of 'Immobitag' electronic bike tags which will be made available for sale at much discounted rates. The tags can be fitted inside the frame of most bicycles and once fitted are almost impossible to remove. Each tag is unique and the individual ImmobiTag ID is then registered on a national property register with the company Immobilise.com; the manufacturers of the product, together with any frame numbers and warning tag serial numbers to be found on your bicycle. The property register is also available to register many other household items and can be accessed online.

The Safer Ryedale Partnership are determined to take every action they can to reduce crime in the district and have negotiated with the manufacturers of this device in order that units will be available locally at less than half the normal retail price. It is hoped that local bicycle suppliers\stores will also become involved in an initiative aimed at reducing the number of thefts of bicycles in the area, that ultimately should bring with it an increased likelihood of apprehending offenders.

Sergeant Steve Pearse of The Ryedale Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team said, "In the short time that I have been in post in Ryedale it has become very obvious that bicycle theft is a significant factor in the crime figures. Whilst we live in an area that is recognised as having low crime levels, each theft creates a victim and we are determined to take every measure possible to deal with this problem. I would urge everyone who owns a bicycle to ensure that it is kept secure when not in use, preferably in a locked shed or garage; but also to buy an ImmobiTag and register your bicycle. It takes only minutes to complete the process and yet makes each bicycle uniquely identifiable to any Police Force in the UK and therefore acts as a deterrent to bike thieves."

In addition to this, the partners are also buying a number of bicycle locks which are to be made available at Dalby Forest for anyone who uses a bicycle there. The Forestry Commission and North Yorkshire Moors National Park Authority have agreed to participate in the scheme which aims to provide bicycle locks that can be used by visitors. The scheme will require visitors to pay a small refundable deposit in order to borrow the locks to use whilst the cyclist is within Dalby Forest. On returning the lock the deposit is refunded and the lock made available again to the next customer. Funded by the Safer Ryedale Partnership this initiative will be supporetd by the distribution of leaflets and crime prevention advice to ensure that the area remains safe for all to use.