People in parts of North Yorkshire can now sign up for crime alerts, policing updates, and security advice by scanning a QR code displayed on police officers’ badges.
The initiative is being piloted by Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team, with the possibility of being expanded across the force.
Inspector Greg Davies of Harrogate Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
“When you’re a police officer, talking to people face-to-face is a really important part of the job.
"But we don’t want the conversation to end there.
"The ‘scan an officer’ initiative helps people quickly and easily sign up to Community Messaging while they talk to us.
"So they can carry on finding out what we’re doing about the things that matter to them in their community.”
The scheme links directly to North Yorkshire Community Messaging, which provides email or text updates tailored to specific locations, including towns, villages, and rural areas.
So far, around 26,500 people have signed up for Community Messaging.
According to North Yorkshire Police, feedback data from July 2025 showed that almost 99% of users who responded found the service useful.
The platform allows officers to share information about local crime patterns, security advice, crime prevention work, and community events.
Members of the public can also reply to messages and engage in conversations about issues that affect them.
The trial is part of the wider Safer Streets campaign, which focuses on reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.
Residents can also sign up through the North Yorkshire Police website by searching for North Yorkshire Community Messaging.
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