Harrogate Borough Council
Menu
Car crime down but could be lower
ALTHOUGH vehicle related crime in the district is
down 43 per cent this year, the Harrogate District Safer
Communities Partnership say there is room to reduce that figure
even more as they re-launch their Keep Keys Safe information
pack.
Last year there were 761 reported incidents of vehicle crime -
556 less than in the previous year. That works
out at just five victims for every thousand people in the district.
The Partnership has worked closely with the
Police and other agencies to reduce car crime but they think that
with a little bit of care car owners could help drive down that
figure even further.
Many motorists think that the best way to keep their cars
running efficiently is to have them serviced at regular
intervals. But the Partnership's crime reduction
team would argue that the best way to keep your car running is to
make sure you keep your keys safe and that way you get to keep your
car.
Robin Davies, Harrogate Council's Crime Reduction Officer,
said: "Modern electronic immobilising systems
fitted to high powered and luxury cars are very difficult to
overcome. So thieves are getting round that by
using more daring methods to steal the latest
models. Because they need the ignition keys and
alarm fob, they are resorting to sneaking into houses or even
fishing the keys out of letterboxes or
catflaps.
"Thieves know that many of us simply drop our keys on the hall
or kitchen table or even throw them on the bottom of the stairs
ready for a quick get away for the morning rush to work and
school. These are easily visible to
villains. It is such an easy thing to remember
on arriving home to put your keys safely out of sight and away from
doors or windows. And keep your doors locked
even when you are at home."
A resident from the south side of Harrogate, who doesn't want
to be identified, well remembers the morning she woke up to find
both of the family's cars had been stolen through the
night.
She said: "When I first opened the curtains, I couldn't quite
remember why I hadn't parked my car on the
drive. Then the slow realisation that the cars
had been stolen hit home. I had saved for months
for my new car the first brand new car I had ever
had. I had only had it for three weeks before
someone stole our keys from our house without actually coming into
the property. I would urge everyone to take notice of this good
advice from the Safer Communities Partnership, wherever you live in
the district, and keep your keys safe."
A full information pack containing an advice leaflet together
with a tax disc holder and key ring are available free of charge at
Harrogate Police Station, Harrogate Borough Council's offices in
Crescent Gardens and Knapping Mount or by post.
Help is also available from the Harrogate District Safer
Communities Partnership over the telephone on 01423 556986.
ENDS
Main content area