A FORMER golf pro turned PCSO has urged fans of the sport to have their equipment marked using a new scheme.

PCSO Kieron O'Brien, 25, was assistant pro at Filey Golf Club and club pro at Sunderland's Wearside Golf Club, before leaving to pursue a career with North Yorkshire Police six years ago.

He said he played less now, enjoying rounds with other members of the force at clubs around York, and he and his colleagues were touring the clubs with the new dot peen system to mark the players' clubs and equipment.

Friday's event, at York Golf Club in Strensall, saw 340 items marked, including clubs, bikes and even a Lambretta scooter, while another session at Pike Hills, saw another 250 items marked.

PCSO O'Brien said: "I know how expensive this can be, you have your kit and clubs, we can be talking thousands of pounds. Just with bags, clubs and trolleys, you're looking at £1,500 easy, and with accessories as well, it all adds up. I'm not really playing any more, but there's a few lads in the force, we play a bit at the local York clubs.

"This is the second day, and we did 175 items at Heworth on Thursday, from golf clubs to the greenkeepers' equipment, fishing rods to laptops and bikes. We're expecting we could probably do, including all the greenkeepers' gear, probably up to £750,000 just between Thursday and Tuesday."

Steve Watson, 68, had a bagful of clubs and a laser range finder marked at Friday's event, and said he would urge other golfers to do the same.

Mr Watson, who was former secretary of York Golf Club, said: "I think it's a brilliant scheme. We have had a lot of break-ins in the past, and it's surprising how many people lost their gear and if you've lost it, it's a problem because of insurance. But then it gets worse if it gets nicked again, as the insurance goes up and becomes more of a problem."

PCSO O'Brien said: "I would urge anyone with expensive items like golf clubs to get them marked.

"Think about the amount they cost and what they are worth to you if they are stolen, not to mention having to go through the rigmarole of getting new clubs and then getting used to playing with them. Mine are marked, even though they aren't worth that much."

- To find out more about Dot Peen or to enquire about having your property marked, go to northyorkshire.police.uk/whatisdotpeen