Unlocked parked cars targeted by opportunist thieves (From Crewe Guardian)

Unlocked parked cars targeted by opportunist thieves

7:00am Sunday 17th June 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

POLICE have warned Crewe motorists not to leave any more ‘rich pickings’ for thieves, following a recent spate of thefts from unlocked parked cars in the town.

Last month, police were called to deal with twenty separate incidents of thefts from unlocked stationary vehicles.

At one property, three cars parked on the same drive were all targeted.

Detective Inspector Nigel Groom said: "The majority of incidents occurred overnight, and are a clear case of an opportunist thief trying door handles in the hope of striking lucky.

"Sadly in Crewe, there appears to have been rich pickings, as they found 20 cars unlocked and were able to take advantage.

"While we continue to crackdown on car thieves, we urge people to lock their cars up and report to police anyone acting suspiciously in their street.”

DI Groom advised people not to leave any valuable items on display in their cars, and to always lock their vehicle, even if it would only be unattended for a few seconds.

Police advised people in Crewe with sat nav systems not to leave the cradle attached to the window or dashboard, and also wipe away the device’s suction mark, as this was a tell tale sign a sat nav was being used, and may be in the vehicle’s glove compartment or storage area.

They also advised recording the serial numbers of any valuable property to aid recovering should it be stolen.

Parking in well lit areas, and installing anti-theft number plates, which shatter if they are forcibly removed, would also mitigate against theft.

Anyone with information about vehicle crime in Crewe should contact officers on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.