Warning signs remind motorists to keep valuables safe (October 14, 2009)

New signs are being put up in car parks across the district to remind motorists to keep their cars locked and their valuables safe and out of sight.

Suffolk Coastal’s Community Safety Partnership and Suffolk Constabulary have linked up for the new campaign which aims to get residents to play their part in cutting crime.

 

“While crime fell last year in Suffolk Coastal and the district remains one of the country’s safest, there is still more that people could do to prevent them being a victim of crime,” said Cllr Sherrie Green, Suffolk Coastal's Cabinet Member for Community Health.

 

“Nearly one in ten of all crimes in the district are related to theft from cars and vans. More worrying still is how many of these crimes could have been avoided if people had just taken a bit more care,” added Cllr Green.

 

The statistics show that in areas such as Felixstowe, Nacton, Kesgrave and Woodbridge up to half of all vehicles were not locked, and a staggering 70 per cent of those parked on driveways, when items were stolen from them. Among the stolen valuables were satellite navigations systems (sat navs), mobile phones, handbags, power tools and even a new 42” flat screen television.

 

“There are very few crimes committed in our car parks and we want to keep it that way by having these large warning signs. We hope that the message of keeping things locked, secure and out of sight will not just become a habit when using our car parks but also at home.

 

“Thefts from cars are often spur of the moment, opportunist crimes, and I would urge people not to put temptation in front of potential criminals by leaving their cars unlocked, windows open, or expensive items or accessories on show,” added Cllr Green.

 

The special signs are going up in all the Council’s 28 public car parks and also some of the larger privately owned facilities such as Tesco at Martlesham Heath.