Wiltshire Police are issuing a reminder for people to keep their vehicles secure following a series of thefts from unlocked cars in the rural areas around Swindon.
In the last few days, police have received a number of reports of cars being targeted and items stolen after they were left unlocked.
PC Matthew Price said, “All the reports that have come in have resulted from vehicles were left unsecure.
“In particular, it has been the villages around Swindon which have been targeted, such as Wroughton, Broad Hinton and Winterbourne Bassett.
“I’d like to remind everyone that even if you don’t live in an urban area like Swindon, it is still important to protect yourself and keep your vehicles and belongings secure.
“It may sound obvious but please remember to lock your vehicles when you leave them, even for a second, and never leave any valuables or presents on display in your vehicles.
“You should also avoid leaving your car open and unattended, even briefly and on your own driveway.”
Other steps to keep your vehicle secure include:
- Park in a garage if you have one, and when out and about, aim to park in a well-lit and open area
- Invest in a steering wheel lock
- Beware of keyless thieves who will attempt to steal vehicles using “relay theft” where thieves use digital devices to pick up your car key fob’s signal and ‘relay’ it to the car, which then opens
For more information on keeping your vehicle secure, visit Preventing car and vehicle theft | Crime Prevention | Wiltshire Police.
