Information on Loughborough

'Beauty spot' car crime tackled by Loughborough beat team

Posted on 02/06/2009

arrest,villain,police,constabulary 'Beauty spot' car crime tackled by Loughborough beat team

A new crime prevention campaign has been launched to reduce car crime at Outwoods and Jubilee Woods in Loughborough. 

Outwoods is a large woodland area on the outskirts of the beat with a car park for up to 60 cars.  Jubilee Woods are reached by parking in the Outwoods car park or in the lay-bys on Woodhouse Lane.  Both areas are popular with walkers, dog walkers and cyclists.   13 cars have been broken into, most of them from the lay-bys, between January 1st 2009 and May 14th 2009 compared to 7 for the whole of 2008.

The neighbourhood beat team has launched a crime prevention campaign involving high visibility patrols in the area; a plain clothed operation and regular visits by the beat team to talk to people using the woods and offer crime prevention advice.  New crime prevention signs have been put up around the car park reminding motorists to take all their belongings with them and not to leave anything on display.

On the 14th May 2009, a 42 year old man from Loughborough was arrested on suspicion of theft from motor vehicles and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

PC 2062 Nathaniel Lockley, the neighbourhood beat officer, said; “So far this year, we have had double the number of offences of car crime reported to us compared to the whole of last year and it has now been established as a beat priority.  Lots of people use the woods but forget when they get out of their car to take all their belongings with them. What we want to avoid is people returning to their vehicles after a lovely walk only to discover their car has been broken into.  We are trying to prevent that through our targeted policing operations but also by giving visitors crime prevention advice.  

“It only takes a few seconds to break into a car and items left on display are just too tempting for the opportunist thief, the best way to reduce car crime is to leave nothing in your vehicle, even an empty bag on the back seat might tempt someone to break in just to see what’s in it.” 

Officers will be giving out crime prevention advice from the Outwoods Car Park on; 

  • Saturday 13th June 2009 1pm-3pm
  • Sunday 21st June 2009 3pm-5pm
  • Saturday 11th July 2009 3pm-5pm 

Tom Kiernan speaking for the Charnwood Community Safety Partnership fully endorsed the campaign adding “We will be working closely with our police colleagues to ensure this campaign is a success.  Unfortunately having your car broken into will spoil a good day out for you and your family – follow the simple advice of the police ‘leave nothing in your car’ and enjoy your day out in our beautiful countryside.” 

Other crime prevention advice; 

  • Make sure that doors are locked and windows are closed when you leave the car even if it’s only for a moment.
  • Leaving items on display in the car, for example handbags, jackets and mobile phones, are an appealing target for thieves. Take them with you, or put them out of view whenever possible. Consider having the windows etched with the car’s vehicle registration number and keep a note of the chassis number somewhere safe.
  • Car stereos are attractive to thieves, if possible remove them whenever you leave your car. Retract car aerials and tuck in wing mirrors to discourage vandals.
  • If you have a garage at home, make sure you can lock it and use it. When using public car parks, try to park in an attended car park and look for signs that say ‘Secured Car Parks’. If you can’t find a car park, try to avoid parking in places that are unlit, have easy access and are hidden from public view. 

If you are in the area please pop along and talk to PC 2062 Lockley and PCSO 6020 Thomas Baines, or you can leave them a message by calling Leicester (0116) 222 2222 and, when prompted, key in their collar number and leave a message.