Evening Resident,

Just a quick one from me, I don't normally cover the Great Harwood area, however since assisting with some enquires due to the dramatic increase of vehicle crime reports last week (car doors being tired). I thought I would send out a little message to help prevent further incidents!

Here's some advice, I will list various things you can consider, some cheap some expensive:

Faraday pouch/box - Prevents criminal from get the signal from your key and tricking your car into thinking the key is inside the car and starting - (Keyless cars only) - Please also use some of the below also as there's been reports of vehicles being stolen even with keys in the Faraday pouches due to potentially being followed by the criminals when driving and cloning your key whilst following you (However this isn't common)

Steering / Disc Lock - Visual deterrent, criminal will most likely want a quick and easy target, having these will prolong/prevent the process of taking your vehicle.

Driveway Bollards - Costly but prevents your car driving away from your drive.

Ghost Immobiliser - Getting this installed in your car can also be expensive but are effective, as a code (a sequence of button inputs) decided by you will be required before the car will start.

Wheel Clamps - Self explanatory really, another visual deterrent.

Lighting and CCTV - Having a well lit area covered by CCTV may provide opportunities to identify offenders. Furthermore, CCTV doesn't need to be expensive you can buy cheap CCTV camera to put on window sills that does the same job as an expensive setup.

Double check your car is locked - May seem obvious but you'll be surprised how often people leave their vehicle unlocked.

On a positive note, from the enquires made by myself and colleagues we have obtain some good footage of the offenders!

Keep an eye out for each other and report any suspicious activity you see to either 101, online reporting, Accrington front desk or reply to this message which goes to me!

Hope this has been useful to you!  

If you have any neighbours who aren't part STAY IN THE KNOW but you think may benefit from these messages you can pass them my email to contact me and I will sign them up via phone or a in person visit.

7077@lancashire.police.uk

Regards,

PCSO – Rhys Ward - 7077.

Hyndburn Neighbourhood Team.