Don’t display and then pay

Archived press release

Date Published: 17/01/12

The Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership is reminding motorists not to leave valuables on show in their car.

The reminder follows a number of incidents in the district where sat navs have been stolen from empty cars after they were left on display.

Sat nav theft is a fast growing area of crime and has now replaced car stereos as the number one item stolen from vehicles.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters at Aylesbury Vale District Council said: “Sat navs are expensive pieces of equipment that are desirable for thieves as they can be sold on quickly. We need the public’s help to put a stop to these types of thefts. If you have a sat nav system then don’t leave it inside your car. Remove the sat nav system itself, the cradle, and wipe away any suction mark left by the device – this can deter thieves who might be looking to break into cars where they suspect systems may have been left inside. Don’t leave the system in the glove box or anywhere inside the car and instead take it with you.”

Other points to consider are to ensure that you always:
• Lock your car and close the windows
• Park in a safe, well lit place
• If you have a drive/garage use it

It is also recommended that sat navs and other valuables are security marked using forensic property marking kits or UV pens, and registered on the Immobilise national property database – www.immobilise .com

More crime prevention advice is available on Aylesbury Vale District Council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Anyone with information about vehicle crime is asked to contact Thames Valley Police on 101, preferably while a crime is in progress, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.