Theft from Motor vehicles in Otterbourne

PCSO Michelle Wilkinson has asked us to circulate the following information and advice.

An alert has also been placed on the Hampshire Alerts website.

Thefts fromMotor vehicles in Otterbourne

Between 28/07/15 and 29/07/15 access was gained to 7 motor vehicles in the Otterbourne area; Main Road, Greenacres, Oakwood Avenue, Waterworks Road and Richmond Park.

The Police are appealing for any witnesses. If you saw or heard anyone acting suspiciously in the area, please phone 101.

About thefts from vehicles

Most offences of theft from vehicle are opportunist. If valuable possessions (e.g. handbags, laptops, sat navs, iPods, mobile phones, cameras) are left on show inside a vehicle, it is much more likely to be targeted by thieves.

Even items of little value, such as shopping bags and clothing, may tempt a potential thief to break into the vehicle to see whether they contain anything worth stealing.

Offences can take place during the day or night, whether a vehicle is parked in a driveway, on the street or in a public car park. Typically. thieves will smash windows to gain entry. Sometimes they will break door locks or, on older vehicles, prise the door away from the body of the vehicle.

The following section contains crime prevention and reduction advice for motorists and car park owners, as well as tactics that will assist police and partners to reduce this type of vehicle crime:

  • When leaving your car, close all windows and lock your car.
  • Upon locking your vehicle try your car door to ensure it is actually locked.
  • Park your car in an attended car park.
  • Look for public car parks approved by the Park Mark scheme.
  • When parking at home, use your garage. If you don’t have a garage, park in a well-lit area.
  • Don’t leave anything on display in your vehicle.
  • Take all your personal possessions with you.
  • Remove sat nav holders and visible sat nav ring marks from windscreens.
  • Leave the glove box open to show there’s nothing inside.
  • Fit an alarm or immobiliser to your car.
  • Record the details of your property on the Immobilise website. Click here for more information: https://www.immobilise.com/
  • Do not store your car’s documents in the car.
  • Secure your wheels using locking wheel nuts.

Kind Regards

Michelle.

PCSO 15075 Michelle Wilkinson

Winchester Rural North Neighbourhood Policing Team
Alresford Police Office / 101 / Hampshire Constabulary.

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