Officers told homeowners in the area to beware as a letter was posted through doors
Merseyside Police has issued a warning to car owners in one area of the city. The force has posted a note to houses in the L8 area. A note shared with the ECHO, from someone who lives in the Dingle area, showed a letter urging people to be vigilant after a spate of reported car thefts.
It said: “Car owners beware. This area has suffered a number of thefts from motor vehicles. To avoid being a statistic: Lock all doors and windows.
“Do not leave valuables on display. Report any suspicious activity to the police on 101. In confidence contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Extra police officers are in the area but help us to reduce car crime by protecting your property.”
Merseyside Police has also shared detailed advice on hot to prevent car and vehicle theft on the force’s website. It said: “Don’t let thieves get an easy ride. Follow these simple rules to protect your vehicle from thieves.”
The first piece of advice is to always make sure you vehicle is locked. It added: “Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open.
“It is actually illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather. If someone takes it while it’s left like this, your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered.
“If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.”
Car owners are also advised to keep keys safe, as it added: “Vehicles today are by and large more difficult to steal than ever, unless the thief can access your key or fob to clone them. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox.
“If you’re selling your car and you meet up with a potential buyer, do not allow the keys out of your sight. Your keys may be cloned by thieves and used later to steal your vehicle.”
Police also warned that criminals may look to steal from your car even if you are in it. It added: “In traffic, drive with the doors locked and when queuing leave enough space in front of your vehicle to enable you to get out of a tight spot.
“If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over – somewhere safe and preferably where there are people. After all, you don’t know the person who has collided with you; they could well be hijackers. If you’re at all suspicious, consider calling the police.
“If someone threatens you, it’s better to hand over the keys to the vehicle than become a victim of assault. Then call 999 as soon as possible, and ask for the police.
“If your car is stolen, some modern vehicle alarm and tracker systems have the facility to isolate or shut down fuel systems, bringing the vehicle to a halt and leaving the thief high and dry.”
People are advised to consider where they are parking, adding: “It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas. It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a well-lit and busier street.
And if possible, always try to park in illuminated and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award.” The other steps people are urged to complete to protect their car included watching out for illegal tow trucks that can lift vehicles from the street, fitting additional security measures in the car and double checking electronic locking.
