Information on Loughborough

Warning following increase in thefts from vehicles in Spinney Hill

Posted on 19/08/2009

police,constabulary,leicestershire police Warning following increase in thefts from vehicles in Spinney Hill

Motorists are being warned following a spate of thefts from vehicles in the Spinney Hill Park area of Leicester.

A total of 39 thefts from vehicles have been reported to officers over the last 17 days. That compares to 20 in the same period last year. In most cases a window was smashed and items stolen including sat navs, laptops, car stereos and purses.

The areas where offences have occurred include Evington Road and its side streets, London Road and the Spinney Hill area.

Sergeant Emma Matts from Spinney Hill Park police station said: "We are urging motorists not to give thieves a reason to break in by leaving valuable items on show. Many of these thefts have happened during the night, but some have occurred in daylight. Items like stereos and sat navs are very attractive to thieves and can be snatched from a car within seconds.

"If you have a sat nav always remove it from view, together with any leads and the cradle. Don't leave it in the glove box or under the seat as thieves know where to look. If you have a removable stereo then take this with you too.

"We would also urge anyone who is offered a sat nav or a car stereo for sale in suspicious circumstances to inform the police."

The Safer Leicester Partnership, supported by Leicestershire Constabulary, is currently running a campaign to raise awareness of vehicle crime under the slogan ‘While you are out shopping, so is the car thief!’ The campaign includes crime prevention messages on the backs of buses, till receipts and pay and display parking tickets in the city. Officers will be carrying out targeted patrols of car parks and other identified locations across the city over the next three weeks to deter thieves and speak to motorists to raise awareness of crime prevention measures. They will be assisted by staff from the Safer Leicester Partnership and City Wardens.

Anyone with information about vehicle crime in the Spinney Hill Park area can call Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222 or Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

* Please note, some mobile phone service providers may charge for this call.