Information on Loughborough

Vehicle used to trap thieves

Posted on 04/07/2007
P. Klein

car thief

A car fitted with tracking devices is being used by police in the Loughborough area to catch would be car thieves.

The so called "rat-trap vehicle" is being parked in strategic places around the town in an attempt to catch thieves targeting cars.  It is under constant surveillance.  Valuable items, which are fitted with tracking devices, have been deliberately left on show to tempt opportunist thieves.  The zone where the rat trap scheme is being carried out is clearly marked with bright yellow signs which say, "Police rat-trap cars, operation in this area."

Inspector Mark Cuddihy, Commander of Loughborough local policing unit said; "Motorists continue to leave laptops, mobile telephones and satellite navigation systems in their cars and they are getting stolen.  We have launched a number of initiatives in recent months including writing letters to drivers who leave valuable items on display and weve been giving out small plastic signs which say, "There is nothing of value in this vehicle," but cars are still being broken into.

"We are not enticing people to break into cars but like anyone else we are entitled to park a car and not expect it to be broken into.  We have set up this rat trap with a number of devices inside it to catch anyone who tries to break into it.

"If anyone does commit car crime in this town they could potentially steal items that are fitted with tracking devices.  They may not be arrested at the time, but they might get a knock on the door later."

Vehicle crime in Loughborough is down from 261 offences in 2006/2007 compared to 180 offences 2007/08.  This is a reduction of 31%.  The current detection rate for theft from unattended motor vehicles is 18% (nearly 1 in 5) and it is 46% for stolen cars.

Due to the nature of the operation the police are unable to reveal what vehicles are being used or where.