Don't make it easy for thieves to target cars, say police
Monday, 4th February 2013.
Police have again appealed to people not to leave property on display in their cars after there were ten vehicle crime incidents in a week.
The average over the past three years has been four a week in Haverhill, so the figure, to January 27, showed a significant increase, the town's police chief, Insp Peter Ferrie said.
"I think this is down to a small number of particular individuals, but the public are making it easy for them by leaving their property on show in their cars," he said.
"They carry a particular tool to smash the window and can do so, grab something and be off in a second or two. It is an easy unsophisticated crime if people leave things on show."
The area where it is most prevalent in Haverhill is on the Chalkstone estate, although it has occurred elsewhere.
A van parked in Glemsford Place was targeted after the driver left his kit bag in full view. It only contained his sweaty sportswear, but now he has to get the window repaired and get a new bag and njw sportswear, Insp Ferrie said.
Police have increased patrols on foot and on bicycle but again appealed to the public to take valuables out of their car when they park it.
* Recent crime figures in Haverhill have shown increases in vehicle crime, along with sexual offences, many of which are historic in the wake of the Jimmy Savile case which has prompted more reporting by victims from the past.
Since April 1 2012, there have been 185 incidences of vehicle crime in Haverhill, compared with an average over the past three years at this stage of the year of 151, nearly 20 per cent up.
There have been 28 serious sexual offences reported over the period, compared with a three-year average of 21, an increase of over 30 per cent.
But there was also good news, as burglaries are down, both domesatic and sheds and garages. Domestic burglaries stood at 41, compared with an average of 50, and other buildings at 108 compared with an average of 121.
And Antisocial behaviour was even more significantly down, with 1,056 incidents, compared with an average of 1,506.
The average over the past three years has been four a week in Haverhill, so the figure, to January 27, showed a significant increase, the town's police chief, Insp Peter Ferrie said.
"I think this is down to a small number of particular individuals, but the public are making it easy for them by leaving their property on show in their cars," he said.
"They carry a particular tool to smash the window and can do so, grab something and be off in a second or two. It is an easy unsophisticated crime if people leave things on show."
The area where it is most prevalent in Haverhill is on the Chalkstone estate, although it has occurred elsewhere.
A van parked in Glemsford Place was targeted after the driver left his kit bag in full view. It only contained his sweaty sportswear, but now he has to get the window repaired and get a new bag and njw sportswear, Insp Ferrie said.
Police have increased patrols on foot and on bicycle but again appealed to the public to take valuables out of their car when they park it.
* Recent crime figures in Haverhill have shown increases in vehicle crime, along with sexual offences, many of which are historic in the wake of the Jimmy Savile case which has prompted more reporting by victims from the past.
Since April 1 2012, there have been 185 incidences of vehicle crime in Haverhill, compared with an average over the past three years at this stage of the year of 151, nearly 20 per cent up.
There have been 28 serious sexual offences reported over the period, compared with a three-year average of 21, an increase of over 30 per cent.
But there was also good news, as burglaries are down, both domesatic and sheds and garages. Domestic burglaries stood at 41, compared with an average of 50, and other buildings at 108 compared with an average of 121.
And Antisocial behaviour was even more significantly down, with 1,056 incidents, compared with an average of 1,506.
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