'Bobby on the beat' - police tractor gets its name from 8-year-old schoolgirl

PC David Mackay, Emily Woodyatt and Geoff Brown of Ripon Farm Services
PC David Mackay, Emily Woodyatt and Geoff Brown of Ripon Farm Services

An authentic 'police tractor' will take to the fields of North Yorkshire over the summer - with a very appropriate name.

Emily Woodyatt, aged 8, of Carleton Primary School in Skipton, was one of dozens of youngsters from across North Yorkshire who entered a competition to name the new tractor.

Her winning name, 'Bobby' - and the tractor itself - was officially unveiled at Newby Hall Tractor Fest over the weekend of 10 and 11 June.

PC David Mackay of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce was on-hand to present Emily with her prize for her winning entry.

As part of the prize, Emily's school, Carleton Primary School, near Skipton, will enjoy a future visit by Bobby and North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce.

The tractor has been loaned to North Yorkshire Police by Ripon Farm Services, to help increase police engagement with rural communities.

'Great response'

Inspector Jon Grainge, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “Well done to Emily for picking the winning name of our brand new police tractor, which has been kindly loaned to us by Ripon Farm Services and decked out in authentic police colours.

“We had a great response from the public at Tractor Fest, and our tractor will be at shows and events around North Yorkshire this summer. We're interested in speaking to people who live and work within the rural community of North Yorkshire, finding out what matters to them, and the issues they face.”

The North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce have pledged to keep up the pressure on rural crime over the coming 12 months.