Don’t let the opportunist thief steal your Christmas

With more people expected to be visiting friends and family over the coming days, officers from Northamptonshire Police are urging the public to be extra vigilant when out and about over the festive season. 

Theft of and from vehicles are acquisitive crimes, and are often associated with opportunists, which has prompted the Force to remind the public to take some simple steps to ensure thieves do not ruin their Christmas.

Chief Inspector Nathan Murray of the West Local Policing Area said: “Having your vehicle broken into and personal items stolen is not just an inconvenience. It can have a huge impact on our everyday life, independence, and personal finances at a time when we are all feeling financial pressures.

“Whether you are dropping something off quickly or spending time with family or friends, it can be a very busy, and sometimes stressful, time of year for everyone trying to get ready for Christmas Day and the festive week.

“This can lead to us sometimes forgetting to take simple crime prevention steps and we would like to remind people just how important it is to make sure their vehicles are secure and not to allow their belongings to become a temptation for thieves.

“As with all crime, we would also encourage the public to help us by reporting any suspicious activity so we can act upon it. The eyes and ears of our communities in Northamptonshire are invaluable to us and we welcome any information that can help us tackle vehicle crime.” 

Tips for protecting your vehicle and its contents:

• Remove valuable items from your vehicle before you get out. Sat navs, mobile phones, laptops, handbags, and other portable items are all easy to steal
• Remove any suction marks from sat navs or phone holders, and remove power leads
• Ensure windows are closed and doors are locked, check the door handles before you leave your vehicle
• Don’t leave your car unlocked or your keys in the ignition when you nip into the shop or to an address
• Park in a well-lit area that is visible to other people or covered by CCTV. Thieves are less likely to break in if they can be seen

Anyone with information about vehicle crime is asked to report it by calling Northamptonshire Police on 101 or online via the www.northants.police.uk website. Always call 999 in the event of an emergency. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

More information and advice about how you can protect your vehicle and your belongings is available on the Northamptonshire Police website at www.northants.police.uk