Recently there have been some vehicle break-ins locally - the Neighbourhood Policing Team recommend taking the following precautions (see article).
Most vehicle crime is preventable. It can take as little as 10 seconds for a thief to steal something from your car. The best way to protect your belongings is to lock your car whenever you leave it. Other things you can do include:
* Removing everything from the car; don't even leave a jacket where it can be seen
* Closing the sunroof along with the windows when you leave
* Not storing things in the boot; take them with you
* Storing car ownership information in your home, not your car
* Having a routine to ensure you always take the keys out of the ignition
* Taking removable stereos and sat nav equipment with you
* In addition, using secure (theft resistant) number plates can make your plates less attractive to thieves
* Property mark any valuable property such as tools or electronic equipment with your Postcode and house number. If High value consider a method such as smart water.
* Take photos of your valuables and keep a record of any serial numbers
* Where possible leave your vehicle in a well-lit area
* Thieves sometimes break into houses looking for car keys. They can also use wires and hooks 'to try and drag' your keys through the letterbox. Keep your keys away from doors and windows, and tucked away out of sight.
* Have your vehicle's windows etched with its registration number or the last seven digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN). This can put criminals off, as it makes your car more difficult to sell. It also makes it easier for police to get your car back to you if it is stolen.
If you see any person or vehicle that you are unsure of please take as much details as you are safely able and call 999 immediately. If they are no longer there and it's not deemed an emergency then call 101.