Thursday, 16 August 2007

Now that the fine weather has arrived it appears that arriving with it is a crime trend we can easily combat. Increasingly people are reporting theft incidents of which they could have prevented. For example Sat Nav’s, as these bits of kit become more common in use so does the theft of them.

Top tips to help prevent theft of a Sat Nav.

Always remove the Sat Nav, cradle and wipe the sucker mark from the windscreen when you leave the vehicle. If your job involves using a Sat Nav (i.e. delivery person), and your likely to leave your vehicle frequently ensure your vehicle windows and doors are shut and locked. Have the Sat Nave property marked with a unique reference number and register it with organisations such as ‘immobilise’ or Retain Group. The same applies to laptop computers, PDA’s, mobile phones and handbags. Remember a thief can not steel what they can not see, but give them a clue such as a sucker mark on the window or a handbag sticking out from under the car seat and you will probably become a victim.

Other incidents of theft often occur as the opportunist thief has happened across an item that has not been put away or locked up. Bicycles are a fine example of this.

Top tips to help prevent theft of a cycle.

1. Always lock your cycle up, even when you pop into the shop.

2. Use a robust and heavy duty lock.

3. Ensure your method of locking your cycle up is adequate. Just locking the front wheel may result in the thief picking the bike up and walking off with it.

4. Have your cycle coded. This will assist the police in returning a recovered cycle if it is stolen. Additionally the bike is registered and owner’s details are recorded on a national data base, contributing to deterring a cycle thief from stealing a coded cycle.

Remember to lock your cycles up even when your store them in your garden, shed or garage. **********

Another theft incident that has occurred and causes misery to the victims is the theft of handbags and purses. Again by applying simple measures you can significantly reduce the chance of becoming a victim.

Top tips to help prevent handbag theft….

Never leave your bag unattended such as within a shopping trolley or upon the back of a pushchair. Ensure that your bag is fastened securely and nobody can see inside or more importantly reach inside. As mentioned above don’t leave bags on display and unattended in your vehicle, and refrain from placing a bag on the passenger seat (front & back) with vehicle windows open. At home try and place hand bags and purses / wallets away in a cupboard. Try not to leave them out on kitchen worktops near to open doors and windows. Remember if someone accessed your garden and your back door was left open, the first thing they would come across is your hand bag. Try to keep what’s kept inside your bag to a minimum. Consider that if it was stolen and you hand your house keys and details of your home address in, you may become a burglary victim as well.

Insecure vehicles and homes contribute to a large amount of these crimes, and again this year we find ourselves having to repeat all too common messages…..

§ Ensure you close and lock doors and windows in rooms that you are not using.

§ Never leave an open door unattended, not even for a split second, remember the handbag scenario. A thief would be in and out and you wouldn’t know about it until you came to look for your handbag.

§ Consider additional security measures to your home such as security lights and burglary alarms.

§ But…..the security light and burglar alarm is only as good as the house owner; if you don’t shut that window or lock that door….you may become a victim.

Contact your local Police Beat Officer or Police Community Support Officer for further details and advice.

Gosport Police – 0845 045 4545
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