Don't give car thieves an easy ride

DRIVERS are being warned not to give thieves an easy ride this Christmas.
Police are urging motorists in Warrington to be on their guard against thieves who are intent on stealing satellite navigation systems from cars across the town.
Officers have launched an initiative during the festive period, which they hope will deter drivers from leaving sat navs on display when their car is unattended.
Special postcards have been produced, which provide key crime reduction advice for drivers.
They are being handed out to motorists in the town – with a warning not to leave sat navs – or any other valuable items on display – inside their vehicle.
The postcards also allow drivers to write down key information relating to their sat nav system, including product code etc, so it can be traced if it is ever stolen.
Police Community Support Officer Kath Harkin, of Warrington Central NPU, said: “Too many drivers are leaving sat nav equipment – and other valuable items including CD players and laptops – visible in parked cars during the day and night.
“This is, in effect, an open invitation for thieves to break into the cars and take them.
“We want to get the message across loud and clear that no items – no matter how small – should be left inside vehicles.”
Officers hope the initiative will not only drive home the message to motorists that they should remove their sat nav from their car every time it is left unattended – but they also hope it will help to erase the tell tale signs that a sat nav has been used inside the car.
PCSO Harkin added: “It only takes a few seconds for a driver to remove a sat nav from a car when it is left unattended and another few seconds to detach the cradle and wipe away the mark that has been left by the suction pad.
“We always recommend removing the cradle so that it is not obvious that a sat nav is being used in the car. But even then there is still the tell tale suction pad mark, which indicates that a sat nav has been used and removed.
“We would always recommend making sure there is no mark left on the windscreen because if you leave it, most thieves will just assume the sat nav has been hidden away inside the glove box or boot and will break in anyway.
“Surely it is worth that extra effort to avoid all the inconvenience of having your car window smashed and losing something which is valuable to you.”