Police warning on reducing car crime in the Cotswolds (From Cotswold Journal)

Police warning on reducing car crime in the Cotswolds

1:27pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News By Freya Leng

COTSWOLD residents have been given advice on how to reduce their chances of being a victim of car crime.

Police in the Cotswolds and the district safer and stronger community partnership are warning people with the onset of spring, motorists visiting beauty spots, need to be alert.

PC Mark Godsland, crime reduction officer for Gloucestershire Constabulary, urged all residents to take a few simple precautions to prevent their cars from being broken into.

"Firstly, we would advise drivers to lock their vehicles whenever they are left unattended,” he said.

“It seems obvious but we have had numerous examples of people having had property stolen from their vehicle after leaving it unlocked.

“Some people think that they can leave vehicle doors unlocked if they live in a rural area, but thieves do not just operate in towns and cities.

"Secondly, we would urge drivers to leave nothing on display in their vehicle when they park up. “Leaving high value, removable items on display are just asking for trouble.

“Owners of Powered Two Wheelers should take appropriate precautions when parking their machines, such as using the steering lock, setting the alarm and immobiliser (if fitted) using a disc lock or chaining their vehicle to a ground anchor or secure locking point if available.”

For more information on crime reduction visit gloucestershire.police.uk.