A tractor nicknamed 'Bobby' will visit five schools across North Yorkshire in a bid to educate children on their local police force and their role in rural areas.
The unique police tractor – decked out with ‘blues and twos’ and authentic police livery – will be coming to schools in York, Harrogate, Shipton by Beningbrough, Richmond and Selby.
‘Bobby’ was a popular sight at shows and events across rural North Yorkshire last summer, with thousands of people stopping by to take a selfie with the tractor, and chat to officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce.
Children at each school were chosen out of dozens who entered a competition to win a visit.
PC David Mackay, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “Bobby the Police Tractor was a huge hit across North Yorkshire last year, and no doubt we’ll get an equally enthusiastic response this year.
“We’re particularly looking forward to visiting the schools this year. It’s important that young people know their local police, and understand our role, that we’re here to help them. That’s why it’s so great that they can meet us face-to-face, and have a bit of fun with our police tractor at the same time.”
'Eyes and ears'
The tractor has been loaned to North Yorkshire Police by Ripon Farm Services, to help increase police engagement with rural communities and farmers.
PC Mackay added: “People who live in rural areas can be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police – knowing better than anyone when something is out-of-place, not quite right, or suspicious.
“By building strong relationships with the local community, people are far more likely to get in touch with the police to provide information which could prove crucial in spotting new crime trends or bringing offenders to justice.”
Last year Emily Woodyatt, from Carleton Primary School in Skipton, won a competition to name the new tractor.
Her winning name, ‘Bobby’ – and the tractor itself – was officially unveiled in June last year, before paying a visit to her own school where it got a rapturous reception.
North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce works with farmers to increase engagement within rural communities and target criminals who offend in rural areas.
