News

A Vehicle Crime Task Group set up by Poole’s Crime and Disorder Partnership is beginning to see results. The multi-agency group has worked to identify areas with a high volume of car crime and have targeted their resources in order to deal swiftly and efficiently with the problems.

Cllr Graham Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Community Development, said: "It is very encouraging that so many local agencies coming together to help Poole tackle this problem. Poole residents live in the fourth safest county in the UK and the level of car crime in the Borough is decreasing. We were the first town in the Dorset to win a Secured Car Parks Award and it is our intention to maintain such a high standard throughout the Borough and drive car crime down even lower."

One of the ways in which the Task Group hopes to reduce car crime is by working with parking attendants. Whilst carrying out their duties, attendants make a note of any valuable items they see in cars, record the registration number and have a letter sent by the Police to the owner advising them to be more vigilant and how to make their property more secure.

Superintendent Chris Dennis of Dorset Police, said: "The Police want to encourage the public to report car crime. In order to tackle the problem we need people to report incidents, we can then actively carry out measures to curb criminals’ behaviour."

The Borough of Poole, together with Dorset Police and Dorset Fire and Rescue, have one of the best abandoned vehicle programmes in the area. They ensure that abandoned vehicles in severe risk of being burnt, vandalised or that have no monetary value are removed as soon as possible. Currently the time for the majority of cars to be removed is seven days but high risk vehicles can usually be removed within 48 hours.

Shaun Robson, Consumer Protection Manager at the Borough of Poole and Chair of the Task Group said: "We realise that vehicle crime is a problem but we need to inform people how to keep their cars secure, such as securing your car and not leaving valuables on show. Criminals are by definition lazy but are opportunists, so the message is "leave your car locked and remove any valuable items that you have."

Vehicle Crime Task Group’s tips to reduce risk:

Ensure that your vehicle is secure before you leave it, including doors, boots and windows

Park in a recognised, well lit, parking area - have your keys ready upon your return

Don’t leave valuables in the car or in plain sight - an opportunist thief may think it’s worth the risk. Leave any items that cannot be taken with you in the boot

If you have a removable stereo - remove it! If you have a deactivation code - use it!

Use anti-theft devices such as wheel locks or alarms or have your windows etched