Bracknell

Motorists doing their Bracknell Christmas shopping will be warned not to give thieves an early Christmas present this yuletide.

Bracknell Forest's Safer Communities Partnership is teaming up with Crimestoppers to make sure that thieves are not given the opportunity to help themselves to valuable presents and personal items left in cars parked in the borough.

The campaign will be launched on Thursday, December 14, as Christmas shopping starts to reach its peak.

The partnership, which includes the Council and police, and Crimestoppers will be spreading the word that absolutely nothing should be left in parked cars this Christmas time or else motorists risk having their vehicle broken into and ransacked by criminals.

High value electrical goods like Sat Navs, mobile phones, MP3 players, and laptops are especially attractive to thieves and so the campaign will strive to tell people to take these items with them when they leave their vehicle.

Thousands of leaflets will be sent to Bracknell households in the next few weeks to drive home the campaign.

It also hopes to encourage people to call Crimestoppers if they have been offered anything they suspect is stolen - information left with the charity can be crucial in stamping out car crime and can be left anonymously.

Ian Boswell, Safer Communities Manger, said: "Christmas is a time when thieves are on the look out for high-value goods left in cars and we want to make sure everyone in Bracknell Forest takes the necessary steps to avoid being a victim of this crime.

"The message is simply that drivers should not leave anything in their cars at all as an opportunist thief could strike at any time."

Cllr Peter North, Executive Member for Bracknell Public Protection and Services, added: "The Police, Crimestoppers and the Council all work hard to prevent, reduce and detect crime - but there is only so much they can do. One thing we can all do to help them, and ourselves, is try to remember to leave our cars clear of anything that might attract thieves in the first place.

"We have all heard of a clean desk policy. What we need is a clear car policy, clear of any items or valuables that might increase our chances of becoming a victim of car crime. It only takes a moment when you lock up to check what you have left on view."

Maggie Cannon, Area Manager for Crimestoppers in the Thames Valley, said: "In order to stop vehicles being broken into we need to know who is committing the crime. The Crimestoppers element of the campaign will encourage people to give specific details which will then be passed on to the police for action.

"The main message is 'Car thieves want our valuables, don't make it easy for them'."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council