Car Crime in Stevenage
4 January 2011, 17:07 | Updated: 4 January 2011, 17:09
A PAIR of Oakley sunglasses, a Fuji digital camera, a Wii computer game, a Tom Tom sat nav and a leather wallet.
Not a line up of prizes from a television gameshow – but items stolen from nine cars in Stevenage in the last two weeks.
The vehicles were all parked overnight in different roads in Stevenage but none appeared to have been broken into by force in the sense that none had apparently suffered damage to doors or smashed windows.
Detective Inspector Gary Atkinson from the Local Crime Unit at Stevenage said: “Some of the owners have conceded they may have left their cars unlocked overnight. Until it happens to you, car security might not be top of your list – but it’s not worth the risk, not to mention the distress, of having things stolen from your car. Hertfordshire Constabulary has Operation Tarantula to keep residents informed about vehicle security. Follow the rules below or for more information about vehicle crime, visit our website www.herts.police.uk . If you have any information about any of these crimes, please get in touch quoting crime reference E1/11/69. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111, quoting the same reference.”
Operation Tarantula Top Tips:
· It might sound obvious, but make sure you lock the doors and shut the windows and sunroof whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.
· Remove your Sat Nav and its holder, and wipe away any suction marks as these could suggest to a potential thief that a Sat Nav is stored in your vehicle.
· Never leave any valuables in your vehicle - not even in the glove-box or boot - and keep ALL other possessions out of sight.
· Use an approved steering lock or gear clamp, and remember to set your immobiliser and alarm if you have them.
· Register your stereo, laptop, Sat Nav and any other property on the free online property database www.immobilise.com. It only takes a few minutes and could help police trace your property if it’s lost or stolen.
For more advice, visit www.herts.police.uk
Overnight between January 3 and 4, in Bronte Paths, offenders have got into a blue Vauxhall Vectra and have stolen a set of electrical testing tools and a set of spanners, sockets and screwdrivers.
Overnight between January 3 and 4, in Faraday Road, offenders have got into a grey Volvo and have stolen approximately 350 CDs, a Fuji digital camera, and a selection of coins.
Overnight between January 3 and 4, in Nightingale Walk, offenders have got into a silver Mercedes and have stolen a Tom Tom sat nav and a wallet containing cash and cards.
Overnight between December 30 and 31, offenders have got into a white Fiat Ulysees people carrier parked in Nightingale Walk and have stolen a number of CDs.
Between December 26 and December 30, offenders have got into a silver Ford Fiesta parked in Ashleigh and have stolen a Navman sat nav.
Overnight between December 29 and December 30, offenders have got into a Kia Sedona and have taken a torch. There is no damage caused to the car and the victim believes it may have been left unlocked.
In the early hours of December 21, offenders have got into a silver Peugeot 307 and a blue Peugeot 306, both parked in a private carpark in Kimbolton Crescent. The offenders have sprayed cream inside one of the vehicles and barbeque sauce over the steering wheel of the other.
Overnight between December 20 and 21, offenders have got into a silver Mercedes convertible also in Kimbolton Crescent and have stolen a Garmin satellite navigation system, five CDs, an iPod Touch, a bunch of keys, a pair of spectacles and a pair of Oakley sunglasses.
Overnight between December 20 and December 21, offender or offenders have got into a silver BMW in Ashburnham Walk. There was no damage caused but the victim believes she may have left the car unlocked. A set of keys and a Wii computer game, intended to be a Christmas present, was stolen.