Don't let car thieves spoil your Christmas party

As December gets under way, office outings and after work parties start to increase in the run up to Christmas.

Warwickshire Police want to make sure company revellers don’t find the fizz has gone out of their celebrations by becoming victims of car thieves while they party, and have issued crime prevention advice to help prevent company cars from being targeted.

Detective Sergeant Martyn Stephens of the Northern Area Community Safety Unit explained, “We know there are teams of car thieves who visit hotel and public house car parks where they know there will be company parties taking place.

“They look for cars arriving just after work, or they will check to see if there are series of vehicles of the same make with similar registration numbers or with similar badges such as company parking signs in their windscreen, indicating that they are being driven by people from the same organisation.

“Other thieves simply sit and watch people arriving at the restaurant or hotel to see if they transfer anything to the boot before they go inside the hotel.

“The car thieves know that once these people are inside the hotel they have a certain amount of time when they can break into your car to see if there is anything for them to steal.

“Thieves tend to target company cars because the likelihood of finding a lap top computer or other high value equipment inside is higher, but all cars are potential targets. If they have a coat or a sports bag, or a brief case, or indeed anything else that takes their fancy, a thief will break in.”

Officers from the Northern Area Community Safety Unit have been working with licensees and managers of public houses and hotels throughout the area, which have previously been targeted by car thieves, to help make vehicles in their car parks less vulnerable.

Measures including the installation of CCTV surveillance equipment for the car park, security officers on patrol, gated exits and talking crime prevention signs which remind motorists to remove their property from their car, have all helped reduce the number of vehicles being broken into at these locations.

Those premises which have adopted the most effective security measures and which have recorded a drop in car crime have been awarded badges of excellence by the Community Safety Unit. Look out for the Safer Premises Signs.

DS Stephens explained that even with these additional security measures in place, the ultimate responsibility remains with the car driver to make sure there is nothing in the vehicle to attract the thieves.

“We advise people to take everything of value out of your vehicle before you leave the office for a night out. Leave the lap top computer behind for once. Ask yourself if you really need to take your briefcase with you in the car when you are going to attend a social gathering.”

And he added that motorists can help deter car thieves by leaving the glove compartment open and by removing, or opening the rear parcel shelf to show there is nothing in the boot.

He went on to say motorists should consider other items in the car and remove anything they don't need.

“Ask yourself how many CDs you need in the car at any one time. Keep the minimum in the car and always place them out of view or preferably take them with you when you leave the car. Also remove the security fascia on the car stereo and take it with you, don't hide it in the glove compartment - it's the first place a thief will look."

Finally always use a visible anti theft device such as a steering wheel lock, even if your vehicle is fitted with an immobiliser.

“Car thieves want to be in and out of the car with the minimum of time and effort. If you show them there is nothing to steal, and also make it look like your car is well protected they are less likely to target your vehicle.” Said DS Stephens.