Eastleigh East and West Team have been on late duties over the last 4 days. We have noticed a slight increase in reported theft from vehicles recently and we have been conducting house to house and CCTV enquiries in relation to these, as well as being out on high visibility foot and vehicle patrols in Bishopstoke, Fair Oak, Horton Heath and Chandlers Ford.

Most offences of theft from vehicle are opportunist. If valuable possessions (e.g. handbags, laptops, mobile phones) are left on show inside a vehicle, it is much more likely to be targeted by thieves.

Even items of little value, such as shopping bags and clothing, may tempt a potential thief to break into the vehicle to see whether they contain anything worth stealing.

Offences can take place during the day or night, whether a vehicle is parked in a driveway, on the street or in a public car park. Typically, thieves will smash windows to gain entry. Sometimes they will break door locks or, on older vehicles, prise the door away from the body of the vehicle.

We thought we would share the following crime prevention advice that you might like to consider to prevent you becoming a victim of vehicle crime:

• When leaving your vehicle, close all windows and lock your car.

• Upon locking your vehicle test the door to ensure it is definitely locked.

• Park your vehicle in an attended car park.

• Look for public car parks approved by the Park Mark scheme https://orlo.uk/cXPBO

• When parking at home, use your garage. If you don't have a garage, park in a well-lit area if possible.

• Don't leave anything on display in your vehicle.

• Take all your personal possessions with you.

• Do not hide any valuable items. Take it with you or leave it at home.

• Leave the glove box open to show there is nothing inside.

• Do not store ownership documents inside the vehicle.

• For information on alarms speak to your manufacturer and visit https://orlo.uk/z4ekJ

You will find lots more crime prevention advice on the website https://orlo.uk/5Y1ko

Stay safe

Eastleigh East and West Team