There has been a number of Thefts from Motor Vehicles in your area. 
 

Officers are asking residents to be vigilant following a rise in reports of thefts from motor vehicles across Moreton-in-Marsh.

A number of incidents have been reported over recent weeks with offenders targeting vehicles parked on Evenlode Road, Croft Holm, Wellington Road, Banks Fee Lane, Oriel Grove and Fosseway Avenue.

Thieves have stolen sunglasses, a wallet, cash and a cheque book or searched vehicles but left empty handed.

Vehicle crime is often opportunistic and we're asking residents to check that vehicle doors are locked and personal belongings or valuables are removed where possible.

For advice on ways to help keep your vehicle safe please visit: https://orlo.uk/S8lFB

There are some protective measures drivers can consider to help reduce the risk of  thefts from vehicles, these include:

1. Always lock it

Fuelling up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured. So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment.

If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.

2. Close windows and the sun roof to prevent ‘fishing’

Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.

3. Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws

The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.

4. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels

Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen. 

5. Secure anything that’s on the outside of your vehicle

Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.
 

If you have any further information about these incident(s), we’d like to hear from you. Please complete the following online form quoting incident 110 of 13th April: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

For advice on keeping your vehicle safe, you can find plenty of crime prevention advice on our website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

Please note, we're unable to accept reports of crime through Your Neighbourhood Alerts. You can report non-emergency crime online here. Always call 999 in an emergency.