RESIDENTS across York have been urged to take part in a new North Yorkshire Police property marking scheme.

The force recently invested about £10,000 in new "dot peen" property marking equipment which indents items from laptops, bikes and mobile phones with tiny unique numbers.

Members of the public and local businesses gathered at the De Grey lecture theatre at York St John University where Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick and Inspector Lee Pointon presented the new system and explained the benefits before marking items the residents had brought with them.

Mr Madgwick said: "It's our job to make stealing things as difficult as possible or make the thieves realise it's more difficult to sell stolen goods on. It's fundamentally wrong. I don't care if it's worth £10, £20 or £100."

Insp Pointon said: "I'm confident enough to say I have had my own phone marked.

"We just need the public to work with us so when we come to your village or your street, you bring as many of your friends, family or neighbours with you, as it's better than having to come to the same addresses many times."

More than 80 PCSOs and Special Constables are being trained to use the four marking machines, along with about 20 warranted officers, and the kit will be taken to open days and surgeries around the county.

Dave Gash is site secretary for the Bootham Stray Allotments, and said he would encourage all residents to have their property marked using the new technique after having his own mobile phone marked.

He said: "It doesn't matter whether it's worth £5 or £10, you have a chance of getting it recovered.

"We have already had tools marked on Bootham Stray Allotments and will be marking more at the end of the year. It's absolutely brilliant and there has been a great turnout tonight so hopefully we can expand the idea throughout businesses and residential areas throughout York."

Members of the public can also request one of the kits to be brought to their area for marking days. For more information go to northyorkshire.police.uk/propertymarking or follow your local York police team on Twitter at @snayorkcityeast, @snayorknorth or @snayorkwest. The service will be promoted on Twitter with the hashtag #whatisdotpeen