Watch Out - Opportunists About
Last updated: 26/02/2007 - 12:41
A quick drive to the shops could end up costing a lot more than a loaf of bread, say Northumbria Police.
Opportunist thieves in Newcastle are targeting cars which have been left unattended with the engine running, sometimes when the owner has popped into a shop. In some cases, cars left on the drive to warm up have also been targeted.
Police are on the trail of the offenders, but also want the public to help by not leaving their cars insecure. The warning forms part of the force's 'FREEZE OUT' initiative to target offenders and opportunist crime throughout Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland.
"Car theft is at its lowest since 1991," says Steve Robson, Neighbourhood Inspector for Westerhope and Newburn. But we've had a local increase in Newcastle, with 18 insecure vehicles stolen in Westerhope, Denton, Lemington and Slatyford areas since the start of the year. Happily, most of them have been recovered."
Opportunist Thieves
The thefts, believed to be the work of opportunist thieves rather than an organised gang, have happened at various times of the day and night.
Inspector Robson added: "We've stepped up patrols to target those responsible and are carrying out a number of enquiries. We think the thieves are watching cars to seize their chance in the few moments a vehicle is left unattended. We're not talking about sophisticated thieves using tools to break in to cars, so it's very easy to prevent - we're simply advising people not to give criminals an open invitation to steal."
Inspector Robson reminds car owners that insurance companies will not pay up if a vehicle is stolen when the keys have been left in. The cost of the theft could therefore run into thousands, coupled with an increased insurance premium in future.
"Our simple advice to motorists is they should never leave their cars unattended with the keys in, even if for a few moments. Keeping your car locked shuts out opportunist thieves."
According to Northumbria Police Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland are amongst the safest places in the country to live. Crime fell by 7% in 2006 and has dropped 37% since the early 1990s.
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