Drivers receive car crime advice during Operation Crunch

2:29pm Monday 29th September 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

AS part of a three-month crackdown on vehicle crime in Shipston and throughout Warwickshire, police have issued motorists with advice about how to prevent such offences.

Warwickshire Police launched Operation Crunch in response to an increase of thefts of and from cars.

The force says drivers should park their cars in garages if they can, secure their vehicles with steering locks and fit a Thatcham-approved or Sold Secure alarm and immobiliser.

When leaving cars parked and unattended, motorists should lock all doors, shut all windows and remove the keys from the ignition.

At home, motorists should keep car keys in safe places and try to park their cars near street lighting or in places where they can be seen by other people.

Officers also advise that motorcycles should be secured to security rails or ground anchors with a strong steel cable or D-lock, marked with DataTag or Smartwater and parked out of sight of the road - if the latter is not possible, the machines should be covered when not in use.

Senior Crime Reduction officer, Detective Sergeant Martyn Stephens, said: "Vehicle thieves usually fall into two categories, the opportunist thief or the thief who is stealing to order.

“And it's not just losing the use of the vehicle that is inconvenient but the hours it then takes to sort out replacements, deal with insurance companies and all the stress this causes.”