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Fighting Car Crime
Knowsley residents are being urged to
follow a few simple steps to help in
the fight against car crime with the
message: “Don’t become another
statistic”.
Top of the list of “what not to do” at this time of year is the temptation to leave engines running on cold mornings while cars defrost. Though this may seem like a good idea, in practise motorists could be giving an open invitation to thieves by leaving their cars unattended, unlocked, and complete with keys in the ignition. Not only that, but it is an offence to leave your vehicle running which could result in a fine.
“Leaving your keys in the car at any time is an open invitation to car thieves”, says Councillor Margaret Flaherty, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion. “In reality your keys are not always safe, even in your home. Throwing them on the hall table or placing them on a hook near a door or window is also a risk. We have a number of people carrying out what are known as ‘hook and cane’ burglaries where they reach keys left lying around either through the letter box or an open window.”
Knowsley’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, comprising Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, Housing Trusts, The Fire Service and many other agencies is offering the following tips to help car owners greatly reduce the risk of them becoming just another car crime statistic.
· Make sure you close the windows and lock the boot and all doors every time you leave your car.
· Never leave anything on display - lock it in the boot.
· Fit a steering wheel lock, an immobiliser or a car alarm.
· If you can, remove your car stereo when you leave the vehicle.
· If you can, remove your satellite navigation system along with its holder.
· Keep your keys safe at all times - take them to bed with you.
Colin Carter, Crime Reduction Officer for Merseyside Police added: “Most people are extremely careful when it comes to keeping their wallets and purses safe, even if they only contain a few pounds. We are urging people to take the same care of their car keys, because if your car is valuable to you it will also have some value to a car thief or joy rider.”
The Council is also warning residents to ‘lock up or lose out’ to reduce the risk of ‘opportunist’ burglaries. By reviewing home security and fitting the appropriate locks, deadlocks, grilles, security lighting and an alarm, the risk of burglary is reduced considerably.
-Ends-
Top of the list of “what not to do” at this time of year is the temptation to leave engines running on cold mornings while cars defrost. Though this may seem like a good idea, in practise motorists could be giving an open invitation to thieves by leaving their cars unattended, unlocked, and complete with keys in the ignition. Not only that, but it is an offence to leave your vehicle running which could result in a fine.
“Leaving your keys in the car at any time is an open invitation to car thieves”, says Councillor Margaret Flaherty, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Social Inclusion. “In reality your keys are not always safe, even in your home. Throwing them on the hall table or placing them on a hook near a door or window is also a risk. We have a number of people carrying out what are known as ‘hook and cane’ burglaries where they reach keys left lying around either through the letter box or an open window.”
Knowsley’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, comprising Knowsley Council, Merseyside Police, Housing Trusts, The Fire Service and many other agencies is offering the following tips to help car owners greatly reduce the risk of them becoming just another car crime statistic.
· Make sure you close the windows and lock the boot and all doors every time you leave your car.
· Never leave anything on display - lock it in the boot.
· Fit a steering wheel lock, an immobiliser or a car alarm.
· If you can, remove your car stereo when you leave the vehicle.
· If you can, remove your satellite navigation system along with its holder.
· Keep your keys safe at all times - take them to bed with you.
Colin Carter, Crime Reduction Officer for Merseyside Police added: “Most people are extremely careful when it comes to keeping their wallets and purses safe, even if they only contain a few pounds. We are urging people to take the same care of their car keys, because if your car is valuable to you it will also have some value to a car thief or joy rider.”
The Council is also warning residents to ‘lock up or lose out’ to reduce the risk of ‘opportunist’ burglaries. By reviewing home security and fitting the appropriate locks, deadlocks, grilles, security lighting and an alarm, the risk of burglary is reduced considerably.
-Ends-
Who to Contact
Corporate Communications
Telephone: 0151 443 3070
Write to or Visit:
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council,
PO Box 21 Archway Road,
Huyton
L36 9YU
Email: media@knowsley.gov.uk
Telephone: 0151 443 3070
Write to or Visit:
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council,
PO Box 21 Archway Road,
Huyton
L36 9YU
Email: media@knowsley.gov.uk
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