Pangbourne Community Policing

POLICE CRACKDOWN ON VEHICLE CRIME

Police in West Berkshire are sending a warning to thieves with a crackdown on vehicle crime.

Operation Friday, which brought together resources from across the area, was a concerted effort to catch the criminals.

Using data from analysts, a trap car was placed in vehicle crime 'hotspots', at times when such crimes are most likely to occur.

Supt Chris Shead, LPA Commander for West Berkshire, said: "Figures have shown that thefts of and from vehicles have increased by seven per cent, as well an increase in damage to vehicles. This is obviously something that we want to address.

"We are targeting our resources at these hotspots in an intelligence-led operation, with the aim of disrupting criminal activity and catching offenders.

"We will be carrying out further operations in the coming months, so I warn thieves that we take vehicle crime very seriously and those caught could face a prison term."

This crackdown ties in with the 'virtually stolen' and Crimestoppers campaigns, which are aimed at making people aware of the dangers of leaving valuables in their cars.

Romy Freiburghaus, Crime Reduction Adviser for West Berkshire, said: "It is very common for people to get out of their car and forget to secure valuable items such as sat navs and mobile phones.

"The aim of the Virtually Stolen campaign is to make people aware that they have left something valuable in their car and give them advice about how to make their car more secure, so that next time they think twice about leaving valuables in their car."

Mike Smith, from Crimestoppers, said: "In order to stop vehicles being broken into and the contents stolen we need to know who is committing the crime.

The Crimestoppers campaign is to encourage people to give specific details which will then be passed to the police for action. The main message is 'Car thieves want our valuables, don't make it easy for them'. It's easy to tell us who they are, just call 0800 555 111, you will not be asked your name and you need never speak to the police but your information is vital.