Get Your Vehicle Safe And Secure With CAPS
Together with Luton Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police, the council is launching CAPS. The Car Accessory Protection System.
The whole idea is to help tackle thefts of vehicle registration plates that are then used in other crimes such as fuel station ‘drive off’s’ and avoid paying London congestion charges.
The launch will take place on Friday 7 September 2007 between 10.00 and 14.00 hours at Tesco Stores at Skimpot Road, Dunstable.
Officers from both councils and crime reduction officers from Bedfordshire Police will be on hand to offer advice to owners on how to keep their vehicles safe and secure and will also be on hand to fit small devices (CAPS) that replace the registration plates holding screws to stop them being stolen.
Advice on how to prevent opportunist thefts from vehicles with valuables left inside will also be available.
Things being stolen vary from low-cost articles such as sunglasses, CDs, satnav or phone cradles, and packets of cigarettes to high value items. These include satnav devices, mobile phones, handbags, stereo, tools and MP3 players.
Over half the incidents of car crime are "opportunistic". Vehicles with property on display are more likely to be broken into because thieves will risk setting off an alarm if there is an obvious pay-off. Even an empty carrier bag or a coat on the back seat is attractive to a thief as it may contain items of value.
By the time the thief has realised there is nothing of value; your vehicle has already sustained damage, which may be expensive, inconvenient and time- consuming to repair. Items with your personal details - such as letters, bank statements, etc - also leave you at risk of identity fraud.
The thefts are taking place throughout the county, although it is not thought that more than a few are linked.
Jeanette Keyte, Community Safety Manager, South Bedfordshire District Council says: "It is incredibly easy to leave little things in your car when you know you will only be gone for a few minutes. But it takes just seconds for a thief to break in and grab something and they have been know to take anything from a packet of cigarettes to a pile of loose change. Of course the more valuable items are often targeted too. When you leave your car it takes just take a few seconds to make sure nothing is on show."
PS Alex House agrees: “Although Bedfordshire is no worse than anywhere else in the country for car crime it is still a problem that we can all help to reduce. By following some really simple crime reduction steps motorists can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of opportunistic thieves who target vehicles. This action will also help to protect them against the added frustration of filling in insurance claims and waiting for repairs to be completed after their car has been targeted.”
He also asks residents to follow these simple steps to securing their vehicles:
· Never leave the keys in the ignition and store them out of sight when at home.
· Engage the steering lock and activate the alarm.
· Close the windows and sunroof, and lock the doors and boot.
· Only take what you need on your journey - whenever possible, leave personal and valuable items at home.
· If you must take valuable items with you, keep them out of view and take them with you when you leave the vehicle - even if you think you will only be a minute.
· It is better to store items in the boot at your point of departure, not the point of arrival - you don't know who may be watching.
· Laptops and satellite navigation systems are currently being targeted - keep them out of sight.
· Remember to remove your stereo fascia - this is the best way to make your stereo unattractive to thieves.
· Even small items like loose change and a packet of cigarettes are incentive to the opportunist thief.
· Park in busy and well-lit areas, or use a car park that has a "Park Mark" or "Secure By Design" award.
