PC Harry Baker, from Whitby's Safer Neighbourhood team, is undertaking the 55-mile trek of his patch in full uniform to raise awareness of how people can beat opportunist criminals.

During recent months, rural areas around Whitby have seen a notable increase in the theft of diesel, heating fuel, lead and other scrap, with amounts stolen ranging from £50 to £3,000 in value.

As reported in the Whitby Gazette, thieves recently stole a large amount of oil from Seton School in Staithes for the second time.

And PC Baker hopes his marathon effort will raise significant awareness of security as well as vital funding to provide locks on fuel tanks and extra security lighting to deter would-be thieves.

The walk, which he said he hoped would take place in early June, is part of a wider crime-busting plan in which officers will give prevention advice including recent crime trends and methods used by thieves.

PC Baker said the initiative came about partly because of continued high prices of oil and lead which has encouraged more thefts but also from meetings with members of the public from Mulgrave and Danby wards.

"The first thing I think should be said is that we are not in the grip of a crime wave", said PC Baker.

"The initiative is merely an attempt to reduce further an already comparatively low crime rate but the fact is there is now a greater chance of becoming a victim of opportunist crime.

"To be blunt, thieves will steal anything that isn't either battened down or under lock and key.

"Most of the crime that occurs is opportunist and examples of simple things which can be done to prevent it include not leaving scrap in easily accessible places and not leaving car keys in full view for potential criminals.

"The focus of this is to not only deal with the problem proactively to minimise the chances of more thefts occurring, but also to increase the chances of catching those responsible."

And PC Baker has put forward some suggestions which he believes will greatly speed up the process of catching those responsible.

"The average value for theft of oil has so far been £300.

"However, there are devices on the market which, when combined with signage to deter thieves, can be purchased for £25.

"In the case of oil thefts, this would not only give information as to when the theft occured, but would also allow an immediate response, where at the moment we tend to get possible crime times of up to several weeks."

PC Baker said he is looking to work with community groups as well as housing associations, Neighbourhood Watch groups, residents' associations and schools and businesses to collect sponsors and spread the message.

"It is simply a case of the more that get involved, the greater an effect it will have.

"My aim is to use community groups in our policing area to get the information out to as many people as possible.