Please be aware that there has been a recent increase in theft from vehicles. I believe it is beneficial to remind all members of the importance of removing valuables from vehicles. As well as the threat of having your vehicle window smashed at this time of year people can accidentally leave windows/sunroofs open when they vacate their cars or nip into a garage or a shop. As well as removing items from show make sure that you shut windows and sunroofs every time you leave you vehicle no matter how long you intend to be.
Did you know that in the UK a vehicle is broken into every 23 seconds? Try to follow this simple crime prevention advice to minimise your risk of becoming a victim.
A large proportion of vehicle crime is committed by opportunist thieves. Don't make it easy for them, remember that your vehicle can be like a shop window for thieves so don't advertise your goods to them. Would be thieves are not only interested in seemingly valuable items they will steal almost anything from a vehicle so make sure you consider removing some of the more obscure items that might be in your car.
If you leave any of the items in the following list on show in your car you are making your vehicle vulnerable:
Bank Cards
Briefcases
CD'S / Tapes
Cheque Books
Coats or Clothing (Old or New)
Credit Cards
Handbags
Loose Change
Mobile Phones
Purse/Wallet
Satellite Navigation Systems
Shopping Bags (Even if used to store an item of no value - remember it might be worth a passing thieves while to break in to see what is in the bag)
Sports Bags and Equipment
Stereo (Detachable Front Panels)
Sunglasses (Designer and non-branded)
If you can see any items left in your vehicle so can a thief!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Burglary Information
Since the 11th September we have had three burglaries reported in the Sandbach area, these have been on Mortimer Drive, Middlewich Road, and Manifold Close.
The burglaries have all happened in a similar manor – a panel on the door has been removed to gain entry.
There does not seem to be any specific trend to them and we have also had similar burglaries in the Crewe, Holmes Chapel and Middlewich areas. There is not a massive increase in burglaries that are occurring in Cheshire and infact burglary has fallen by nearly 60% nationally since 1995. In Cheshire, burglaries have dropped by 12.9% in the last five years, which means there are now 592 fewer victims of burglary a year than in 2005.
The county also has a crime rate which is below national average. While this is good reason for you to feel secure in your home, you should remain aware that criminals are opportunists who will take advantage of any chance to steal from you.
One of the best deterrents to burglary is somebody being in the house. Even if there isn’t anybody at home, there are lots of things you can do to give the impression that the house is occupied. Draw the curtains and leave a light on in the house when you go out in the evening.
If you are leaving the house unoccupied for longer, install timers which switch lights or radios on and off automatically. Make sure that milk bottles and parcels are not left on the doorstep, and that letters and newspapers are not left in the letterbox. Ask a neighbour or relative to regularly clear the doorstop and letterbox. You could also encourage someone to park on your drive while you are away.
Other points to take inconsideration is:
· Keep your valuables out of sight.
· Make your property unappealing – install security lights and burglar alarm.
· Mark all valuable property with UV marker pens.
· Keep photographs of any valuable items.
· Always lock doors and accessible windows.
· Do not leave ladders outside where they could be used to reach upstairs windows.
· Don’t label your house keys with your address.
The burglaries have all happened in a similar manor – a panel on the door has been removed to gain entry.
There does not seem to be any specific trend to them and we have also had similar burglaries in the Crewe, Holmes Chapel and Middlewich areas. There is not a massive increase in burglaries that are occurring in Cheshire and infact burglary has fallen by nearly 60% nationally since 1995. In Cheshire, burglaries have dropped by 12.9% in the last five years, which means there are now 592 fewer victims of burglary a year than in 2005.
The county also has a crime rate which is below national average. While this is good reason for you to feel secure in your home, you should remain aware that criminals are opportunists who will take advantage of any chance to steal from you.
One of the best deterrents to burglary is somebody being in the house. Even if there isn’t anybody at home, there are lots of things you can do to give the impression that the house is occupied. Draw the curtains and leave a light on in the house when you go out in the evening.
If you are leaving the house unoccupied for longer, install timers which switch lights or radios on and off automatically. Make sure that milk bottles and parcels are not left on the doorstep, and that letters and newspapers are not left in the letterbox. Ask a neighbour or relative to regularly clear the doorstop and letterbox. You could also encourage someone to park on your drive while you are away.
Other points to take inconsideration is:
· Keep your valuables out of sight.
· Make your property unappealing – install security lights and burglar alarm.
· Mark all valuable property with UV marker pens.
· Keep photographs of any valuable items.
· Always lock doors and accessible windows.
· Do not leave ladders outside where they could be used to reach upstairs windows.
· Don’t label your house keys with your address.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Thefts from motor vehicles
Please be aware that there have been a number of Theft from Vehicles within
the Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Areas over the
last couple of weeks. There is not a specific pattern and incidents tend
to be spread out over the areas.
On several occasions entry has been gained via insecure doors. Please
remind members of the importance of double checking that their vehicles are
secure when left unattended. The majority of us have good security on our
vehicles but this is undermined when doors are left insecure and provides
an opportunist thief with an easy entry point to take your items. It is
also important to remove items from show within your vehicle - even
seemingly inexpensive items. As well as items such as sat navs, cd's,
money and tools, thieves have also been known to take items such as old
coats, handfuls of loose change, sunglasses etc from vehicles. If you have
items such as lunch boxes wrapped in carrier bags or inexpensive items
(such as a gym kit) in a rucksack it is also important to remove these.
You may know that the item in the bag is of no value but an opportunist
thief may take the time to break in to see what is in the bag or rucksack.
There has also been an incident whereby the number plate has been stolen
from a vehicle. An easy solution for anyone wishing to add extra security
to number plates is anti tamper screws which can be obtained from DIY
stores or via the internet. These are a low cost solution to anyone who is
concerned about this type of crime.
The majority of thefts from vehicles take place during overnight periods
when there is less natural surveillance and offenders are afforded the
cover of darkness. If anyone is out and about during this period please
look out for anyone acting suspiciously and report and out of the ordinary
behaviour to the police at the time via 0845 458 0000. If a crime is in
progress please ring 999.
the Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Areas over the
last couple of weeks. There is not a specific pattern and incidents tend
to be spread out over the areas.
On several occasions entry has been gained via insecure doors. Please
remind members of the importance of double checking that their vehicles are
secure when left unattended. The majority of us have good security on our
vehicles but this is undermined when doors are left insecure and provides
an opportunist thief with an easy entry point to take your items. It is
also important to remove items from show within your vehicle - even
seemingly inexpensive items. As well as items such as sat navs, cd's,
money and tools, thieves have also been known to take items such as old
coats, handfuls of loose change, sunglasses etc from vehicles. If you have
items such as lunch boxes wrapped in carrier bags or inexpensive items
(such as a gym kit) in a rucksack it is also important to remove these.
You may know that the item in the bag is of no value but an opportunist
thief may take the time to break in to see what is in the bag or rucksack.
There has also been an incident whereby the number plate has been stolen
from a vehicle. An easy solution for anyone wishing to add extra security
to number plates is anti tamper screws which can be obtained from DIY
stores or via the internet. These are a low cost solution to anyone who is
concerned about this type of crime.
The majority of thefts from vehicles take place during overnight periods
when there is less natural surveillance and offenders are afforded the
cover of darkness. If anyone is out and about during this period please
look out for anyone acting suspiciously and report and out of the ordinary
behaviour to the police at the time via 0845 458 0000. If a crime is in
progress please ring 999.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Theft from motor vehicles
In the last couple of weeks there have been a number of theft from vehicle offences committed within the Crewe & Nantwich and Congleton areas, with no specific area being targeted. In the majority of these cases access has been gained to the vehicles via an insecure door. Help to beat the opportunist thief by taking advantage of the security features that are in place in your vehicle and by following crime prevention advise in respect of what you leave on show in your vehicle.
Please consider these simple pieces of advice and pass on to members:
•Ensuring that your vehicle is locked increases the time that it takes an opportunist thief in gaining entry to your vehicle and in doing so increases the likelihood of them being spotted and caught. Take the extra time to check your doors and windows before leaving the vehicle, it'll be worth it in the end.
•If you have a car alarm please use it. The noise alone should be sufficient in scaring a burglar away.
•Wherever possible don't leave items on show in your car. Try and maintain a tidy vehicle and remove anything from clear sight that might catch the eye of an opportunist thief who is passing by. Be mindful that not only seemingly expensive items such as sat navs, cd-players and tools are taken. People stealing from vehicles may break into a car for seemingly random or inexpensive items such as old coats, clothing, handfuls of change, sunglasses, rucksacks.
•Remember that just because you know something left on show is of no value or interest doesn't meant a thief does. A dirty sports kit in a rucksack left on the seat, your used lunch box wrapped in a carrier bag in the foot well etc will no doubt prove of little use to a thief when they find out the contents but if they don't know what is in the bag they may take the chance to break in and see and the subsequent effect on the victim in terms of emotional impact and cost of repair can be great.
•
If you do see anybody that appears to be acting suspiciously around cars then please call Cheshire Police so that we can try and prevent further offences from occurring.
Please consider these simple pieces of advice and pass on to members:
•Ensuring that your vehicle is locked increases the time that it takes an opportunist thief in gaining entry to your vehicle and in doing so increases the likelihood of them being spotted and caught. Take the extra time to check your doors and windows before leaving the vehicle, it'll be worth it in the end.
•If you have a car alarm please use it. The noise alone should be sufficient in scaring a burglar away.
•Wherever possible don't leave items on show in your car. Try and maintain a tidy vehicle and remove anything from clear sight that might catch the eye of an opportunist thief who is passing by. Be mindful that not only seemingly expensive items such as sat navs, cd-players and tools are taken. People stealing from vehicles may break into a car for seemingly random or inexpensive items such as old coats, clothing, handfuls of change, sunglasses, rucksacks.
•Remember that just because you know something left on show is of no value or interest doesn't meant a thief does. A dirty sports kit in a rucksack left on the seat, your used lunch box wrapped in a carrier bag in the foot well etc will no doubt prove of little use to a thief when they find out the contents but if they don't know what is in the bag they may take the chance to break in and see and the subsequent effect on the victim in terms of emotional impact and cost of repair can be great.
•
If you do see anybody that appears to be acting suspiciously around cars then please call Cheshire Police so that we can try and prevent further offences from occurring.
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