Help to reduce car crime this summer

As people enjoy days out and holidays across Bedfordshire, the police will be stepping up the fight against vehicle crime, using trap cars to tempt criminals and reminding motorists to take simple measures to reduce the chance of their car being broken into.

During the summer months, thieves tend to focus their attention on beauty spots, local attractions or places where a lot of vehicles may be gathered and left for long periods of time.

DI Sandra Evans said: “Over half the incidents of car crime are ‘opportunistic’ with thieves spotting something that could earn them easy money. We won’t give too much away about exactly where the cars will be placed but it is fair to say that using a trap car will help us catch and prosecute offenders at a time of year when these sort of offences increase.

“I’d also like to advise people to take some extra precautions when out and about in the county. Vehicles with property on display are more likely to be broken into because thieves will risk setting off an alarm if there is an obvious pay-off.  Even an empty carrier bag or a coat on the back seat is attractive to a thief as it may contain items of value.

“By the time the thief has realised there is nothing of value, your vehicle has already sustained damage which may be expensive, inconvenient and time consuming to repair.”

If you have information relating to thefts from motor vehicle, contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.