Please be aware of a number of thefts from vehicles in adjacent areas to South Cambs. villages, in particular Arbury across from Orchard Park, and areas close to Impington/ Histon.
There are simple steps you can take to reduce your chance of becoming a victim.
Never leave your vehicle unlocked, even for short periods such as loading and unloading, or making deliveries. We receive a number of reports of thefts from insecure vehicles.
The most common items stolen are easy to access and portable, such as sat nav’s, mobile phones, and wallets.
Remove all valuables from sight, ideally take them with you: or lock them away in the boot.
Remember to remove signs of valuables being present like chargers and cradles plus marks they leave on the windscreen.
At home park in a well-lit area, or garage if you have one.
Store your car keys in a safe place, away from view. If you have a keyless car entry system, consider using a signal blocker pouch. (Some key fob remote signals can be turned off when not in use).
When parking look for police approved car parks that display a ‘Park Mark Safer Parking’ sign.
If you park on a driveway, think about installing a driveway alarm. These are simple and easy to fit.
Even an item like a jacket, or clothing may be attractive to a potential thief. You may know there are no valuables inside, but a thief does not.
Protect your valuables by marking them with easily identifiable information such as your postcode. Look at http://www.immobilise.com a FREE property registration service which is used by virtually all UK police forces to identify and track stolen property. You can add serial No’s, descriptions and photos depending on what the item is.
Owners of high value, desirable cars are advised to take extra precautions
Please be alert to suspicious activity at homes or addresses with high powered vehicles such as BMW’s, Audi’s, Volkswagon’s, and Mercedes. Burglaries are being committed to obtain vehicle keys as improved security means that these vehicles are more difficult to steal without a key.
We are encouraging residents to remain vigilant during the day, lookout for any unusual people or vehicles paying attention to the driveway of a house where a desirable car is parked, even if it is not there at the time, similarly late at night, if you are coming or going be on the lookout for unusual activity.
• Never leave vehicle or other keys in open view of your letterbox or ground floor window where a potential offender could easily access them by fishing them out with a device, consider installing a cage or security device to keep the letterbox secure.
• Always lock windows and doors.
• Fit a steering wheel lock / or aftermarket security device (look at www.securebydesign.com for attack tested approved products).
• Aggravated burglary is rare in Cambridgeshire, but if the thief is persistent enough to break in, it’s best they take the keys and leave.
The safety and protection of people should always come first.
• If you have a secure garage you can park your car in overnight, do use it.
• Set burglar alarms and any other security devices you have installed, consider a driveway alarm to give you early warning of someone approaching on your drive.
• Consider fitting a tracking device, if your car is stolen there is a greater chance of it being traced.
• Be alert to who is around and where your keys are
Report suspicious activity or interest in these types of vehicles to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Without putting yourself at risk, try to obtain a description of anyone you saw, and registration numbers of vehicles this can be passed on to police to aid investigation.
Criminal activity can also be reported to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
