20
Jan
2016
By Calvin at 12:42 GMT, 10 years ago
This short press release from Cumbria Constabulary highlights a constant problem across the UK concerning the theft of motor vehicles using keys found during the course of a burglary........
Police in Carlisle are appealing for members of the public to act more vigilantly in regards to security following two incidents of vehicles being stolen from insecure properties.
A white Fiat Rimor Trimarano was stolen from a property on Crummock Street, Carlisle, after an offender gained entry to the house via an insecure patio door and stole a set of keys to the vehicle. The vehicle was located on Oaklands Drive. Two replica pistols were also stolen. The offence occurred between 11pm on the 18th January and 6am on the 19th January.
A burgundy Ford Focus was stolen from a property on Hammond Close, Carlisle after an offender gained entry to the house via an insecure patio door and stole a set of keys to the vehicle. The vehicle was located on Wigton Road. A tablet was also stolen from the property. The offence occurred between 10.30pm on the 18th January and 7.30am on the 19th January.
Community Safety Officer Claire Stevens said:
“We ask that members of the public make the matter of securing their property a priority. Simple steps can assist in making sure that burglaries are avoided. Don’t take an unnecessary risk by leaving your house or vehicles unlocked, thieves will steal if given the opportunity and insurance companies may not pay out as the items stolen were not kept secure.
“We ask that you don’t leave expensive equipment or keys in view of potential thieves. If anyone would like free security advice please go to our website or get in touch.”
Further advice is available at www.cumbria.police.uk/Advice-Centre/Crime-Prevention/Home-Security.aspx.
Anyone with any information into the burglaries is asked to contact Police on 101.
TCPW Comment: When alarms and immobilisers became fairly standard on new motor vehicles back in the 1990s and the older vehicles were replaced by the new we saw an almost sevenfold reduction in their theft. This is because ‘hot-wiring’ and other methods of bypassing the ignition would no longer work. One of the (possibly unforeseen) consequences of the tremendous success for crime prevention was an increase in the number of times car keys would be stolen during the course of a burglary and an increase in the number of burglaries where the car keys were the single objective of the thief. In effect, car thieves became burglars!
That’s why it’s important for police forces like Cumbria to periodically remind us that leaving spare car keys in the home is not a good idea!
More information about Vehicle Security can be viewed at this link: http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/vehicle-and-bike-security/505/vehicle-security/
