Lock Up Your Car in Wirral! - 21st Jan 2005 4:28am
Merseyside Police in Wirral are urging the public to be careful of their cars when leaving them overnight.
The advice follows a week of a large number of thefts from vehicles in the north of the area which could easily have been prevented if the cars hadn't been left insecure.
Superintendent Tony Doherty said, "We have recently been to visit a convicted car thief who is in prison, the offender tells us that it is widely known that the Wirral is the key areas to target as residents are going to bed leaving their cars and even their houses insecure.
"I'd appeal to everyone to think twice before going to bed. Have you locked your car? Have you locked all of the doors in your house and have you put on your house and car alarms? The offenders who are targeting the area are looking for easy targets, not difficult ones, they want addresses that they can enter quietly and leave before you notice. Try to make it as difficult for them as possible."
Opportunist crime
Merseyside Police would like to remind members of the public that car crime is an opportunist crime and simple crime prevention advice could possibly help prevent you from becoming a victim of crime. The following car crime prevention advice could help to deter those involved in car crime and keep your car on the drive:
Always lock and secure your car , check windows and sunroofs are closed.
Never leave anything on display in your car - mobile phones, coats, bags and CDs can be a target for thieves. If you can't take all your belongings with you, lock them in the boot of your car, taking care that nobody is watching you
Car stereos, or removable radio fascia panels, should also be removed overnight as these are a popular attraction for the car thief and those handling stolen goods
Use a steering wheel lock every time you leave your car
Have an alarm/and or an immobiliser fitted and use it
Keep your keys in a safe place at home. Never leave them near your front door where they can be seen through the letterbox or near to any windows
Always take the key out of the ignition and lock the car whenever you leave it, e.g. when filling up with petrol or calling into the newsagents
On cold mornings, don't leave your car unattended with the engine running while it warms up.
Make sure that all windows and doors are closed and locked when going to bed.
If you have a house alarm, use it! Burglars do not want to bring attention to themselves and will go elsewhere.
If you have a garage use it, alternatively, consider fixing a bollard or other obstruction to prevent your car being taken easily.
The advice follows a week of a large number of thefts from vehicles in the north of the area which could easily have been prevented if the cars hadn't been left insecure.
Superintendent Tony Doherty said, "We have recently been to visit a convicted car thief who is in prison, the offender tells us that it is widely known that the Wirral is the key areas to target as residents are going to bed leaving their cars and even their houses insecure.
"I'd appeal to everyone to think twice before going to bed. Have you locked your car? Have you locked all of the doors in your house and have you put on your house and car alarms? The offenders who are targeting the area are looking for easy targets, not difficult ones, they want addresses that they can enter quietly and leave before you notice. Try to make it as difficult for them as possible."
Opportunist crime
Merseyside Police would like to remind members of the public that car crime is an opportunist crime and simple crime prevention advice could possibly help prevent you from becoming a victim of crime. The following car crime prevention advice could help to deter those involved in car crime and keep your car on the drive:
Always lock and secure your car , check windows and sunroofs are closed.
Never leave anything on display in your car - mobile phones, coats, bags and CDs can be a target for thieves. If you can't take all your belongings with you, lock them in the boot of your car, taking care that nobody is watching you
Car stereos, or removable radio fascia panels, should also be removed overnight as these are a popular attraction for the car thief and those handling stolen goods
Use a steering wheel lock every time you leave your car
Have an alarm/and or an immobiliser fitted and use it
Keep your keys in a safe place at home. Never leave them near your front door where they can be seen through the letterbox or near to any windows
Always take the key out of the ignition and lock the car whenever you leave it, e.g. when filling up with petrol or calling into the newsagents
On cold mornings, don't leave your car unattended with the engine running while it warms up.
Make sure that all windows and doors are closed and locked when going to bed.
If you have a house alarm, use it! Burglars do not want to bring attention to themselves and will go elsewhere.
If you have a garage use it, alternatively, consider fixing a bollard or other obstruction to prevent your car being taken easily.