THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLES (VANS) IN HEDGE END NORTH - TOOLS STOLEN

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLES (VANS) IN HEDGE END NORTH - TOOLS STOLEN

Good morning,

Latest Crime Prevention Advice from your local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) :

Now that we are nearing the end of September, the nights are starting to draw in quite quickly and we generally start to see an increase in acquisitive crime in our communities, such as Theft - garage/shed break-ins, Burglaries (residential and business), Vehicle Crime (Theft from Motor Vehicle and Theft of Motor Vehicle) etc.

During September in Hedge End North there has been three high value theft of tools (value totallying approximately 16k).

One theft of tools was from a Burglary at Flanders Industrial Park, Hedge End and the others were vans broken into in residential areas of Hedge End (between Turnpike Way and Upper Northam Road, Hedge End).

These thefts happened overnight, but criminals may have been in the area prior to the break-ins, so if you see something or someone in your area acting suspiciously, they may be scouting the area, looking at vans carrying tools. Some thefts are planned and some are opportunistic. We will likely see both types this Autumn/Winter. Please report anything suspicious or any signs that your van or car has been tampered with to Police via 101/999 or online reporting - www.hampshire.police.uk

Crime Prevention tips to help keep your van and tools safe and secure:

Wherever possible remove your high value tools from your vehicle overnight.

Mark tools clearly with your name/company name, postcode etc using appropriate marking kits.

Register your tools with an approved Property Register such as Immobilise.com. Retain photos and serial numbers of tools.

Use a lockable secure tool cabinet bolted to the van floor to store tools during the day.

Use a small camera designed to record within your vehicle.

Make sure your van doors and windows are fully locked when you step away from your van.

Do not leave anything on display for passing opportunists to view.

Park defensively - back your van up close to a wall, garage door or dense hedge to block physical access to side and rear doors.

If parking on the road, choose well-lit areas, possibly near to CCTV cameras (residential/town centre/business parks etc.

Add heavy duty locks - Fit extra security - deadlocks / Slamlocks / protective lock covers etc, in order to deter forced entry.

Use visible deterrents such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes, warning stickers showing the vehicle has an alarm or tracker.

Fit a GPS tracker - install a hidden GPS tracker on high value equipment and/or the van.

If we take steps to make it difficult for a criminal, it will deter them. Together lets keep Hedge End safe and secure this season.

If you would like any Crime Prevention literature explaining all of the above and more in detail, please do come along to one of our Beat Surgeries in Hedge End, West End and Botley this Autumn, where we can give you advice, tips and information to help beat the criminals and you can meet your local PCSOs and PCs.

Our Beat Surgeries are held every month at:

Hedge End Library, Upper Northam Road.

West End Old Fire Station, Orchards Way.

The Botley Centre, High Street Recreation Ground.

Boorley Green Sports Pavilion, Wallace Avenue.

Dates and times are advertised regularly via Hedge End Facebook page, Hampshire Alerts messaging service, Parish and Town Council web pages and Facebook pages, Hedge End Library website and often shared with online community groups.

PCSO 14468 Chilcott

HEDGE END NORTH - Neighbourhood Policing Team

#CommunityPolicing #ReportCrime #StopTFMV

#CrimePrevention #SecureYourVehicle

#RegisterYourTools #Immobilise

#SecuredbyDesign #LockItorLoseit

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Message Sent By
Tracey Chilcott
(NPT, PCSO, EH North NPT)