Bracknell

Bracknell police failed to heed their own advice last week and left valuables on display in a parked car. But their apparent carelessness was in fact a deliberate tactic to educate the public in how to avoid becoming a victim of auto crime.

Working in partnership with town centre retailers, crime reduction advisers John Oblein and Everett Bentley from Bracknell police station hired a plain car and parked it in Princess Square on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 October.

Inside the car they placed 20 items that could tempt a thief to break in. They then spoke to passers-by about auto crime and invited them to take part in a quiz. Equipped with an answer sheet and clipboard, participants were asked to identify the items, with the chance to win a prize.

Crime reduction adviser John Oblein said: “Over the two days, 128 answer sheets were submitted. From the correct entries we will select four winners, each of whom will receive a prize donated by Homebase in Bracknell.”

The 20 items left in the car included a sat nav cradle on the windscreen; an empty laptop bag in the footwell; a mobile phone, keys and wallet between the front seats and a camera on the floor. On the back seat were a leather jacket, an MP3 player and a CD case.

“Even seemingly worthless items can encourage a thief to break into your vehicle,” said John. “To highlight this, we placed a credit card receipt, an electricity bill, a cigarette packet and a bag of sweets alongside the obvious valuables in the car.”

Last week’s exercise was the third time that Bracknell police have used the quiz in their ongoing auto crime prevention campaign. The novel tactic, which was devised by Neighbourhood Insp Simon Bowden, has been judged a successful method of getting the message across to the public.

“The incentive of winning a prize was a great help in encouraging people to take part, and we are very grateful to Homebase for their generosity,” said crime reduction adviser Everett Bentley. “The four prizes donated by Homebase – two shed alarms and two electronic timers – fit in with seasonal crime prevention advice from police.

“We always advise householders to step up their home security when the clocks go back, as the dark winter evenings provide cover for burglars, so these prizes are very appropriate.”

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell