A campaign to protect homes across North Yorkshire from being targeted by criminals has triggered the launch of an innovative new digital guide.

North Yorkshire Police has become the first UK force to publish an iBook to help keep communities safe.

The iBook, Securing Your Home, features 60 pages of crime prevention advice and can be downloaded from the iTunes store or the North Yorkshire Police website.

The interactive tool contains hundreds of tips on how to protect your home, including chapters on bogus callers, burglary prevention, property marking, vehicle security and rural crime.

Other useful features include videos from officers and PCSOs discussing their top crime prevention tips, links to useful online resources such as Imobilise.com, and a safety checklist to help make your home as safe as possible.

There is also detailed technical information available about doors, windows, lighting and burglar alarms.

The iBook is compatible with the iPad and the iPad Mini and will soon be available for other devices such as iPhone and Android.

North Yorkshire Police’s digital media officer Tom Stirling designed the iBook which was produced at no cost to the force.

He said: “We are always looking for new, innovative ways to communicate with the public and get crime prevention messages across in the most effective way possible. We thought that by publishing an iBook all our tips to keep criminals at bay can be accessed in one place whenever people need advice.”

With 30 per cent of all burglaries in North Yorkshire down to properties being left insecure, the force hopes residents will download the iBook and take the necessary steps to secure their homes.”

Temporary chief constable Tim Madgwick welcomed the initiative. He said: “As a force, our main concern is the safety of our communities and protecting them from people who commit crime.

“A lot of work has gone into preventing burglaries across North Yorkshire and York, but residents and businesses have a part to play too.

“The iBook is an extremely useful tool which people can use to ensure their properties are as secure as they can be. I am pleased the force is leading the way in digital communications, yet again.”

To download the free iBook, search for North Yorkshire Police on iTunes or visit northyorkshire.police.uk/ibook.