Van owners urged to secure vehicles following thefts

Officers are urging van owners in Staffordshire to ensure their vehicles are kept safe and secure after an increase in the number of reported thefts recently.

Police were first called at 6.32am on Tuesday (21 December) to Gittens Park in Wombourne.

Officers were informed that a white Ford Transit van with a blue stripe had been stolen from a nearby street between 10.30pm on Monday (20 December) and 6.15am on Tuesday.

Police were called again an hour later on Tuesday (21 December) to Hobart Road in Heath Hayes, Cannock.

A white Ford Transit van with an orange roof was reported stolen between 5.30pm on Monday (20 December) and 7.33am on Tuesday.

Officers are currently reviewing CCTV and dashcam footage of the areas at the time of the thefts and urge anyone who may have seen what happened to get in touch.

Contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101, quoting incident number 111 of 21 December.
Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

In order to protect yourself from vehicle crime, officers advise owners to:
 

• Always lock your vehicle – even if you are only leaving it for a short period
•  Keep vehicle keys safe – ideally in a signal-blocking Faraday pouch to prevent keyless entry
•  Park responsibly
• Fit good-quality security locks on steering wheels

Inspector Louise Booker, of South Staffordshire Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “When these offences take place it is not only an inconvenience to the owners of these vehicles but it can have a real impact on their livelihoods.

“We are asking van owners to be vigilant and also consider their vehicle’s security to mitigate the chances of them falling victim to crime.

“Where possible, lock your van in a secure garage or use a steering lock to deter any opportunists from targeting your vehicle. If possible, make sure your van is parked in direct view of CCTV cameras.”

“It is also best practice to remove tools from vans overnight - but where this is not possible marking them clearly with their name using paint pens and sealing that with a clear lacquer spray. I would also suggest using a lockable cabinet and small cameras can also be installed inside vans.”

For more crime prevention advice, visit: Preventing car and vehicle theft | Crime Prevention | Staffordshire Police.