Don't Let Thieves Bag Your Valuables Campaign At Clent

CSO Sue White with the Stop cardsPolice are appealing to walkers not to let thieves bag their valuables as they launch a new crackdown on vehicle crime at beauty spots near Stourbridge.

Patrols on car parks on the Clent Hils have been increased and police and community support officers are speaking to drivers and handing out STOP All Valuables Have Been Removed notices.

The notices act as a checklist, reminding people to remove their valuables and secure their vehicles, and can be displayed on the dashboard to send a clear message to thieves.

Vehicle crime is a year-round problem at Clent Hills, with handbags mainly being stolen. However other items being taken include mobile phones, MP3 players, laptops, digital cameras and sat navs.

CSO Sue White of the Hagley and Rural Local Policing Team said: "The main Nimmings Wood car park on the Clent Hills is not so much of a problem, as there is a car park attendant. Most of the thefts happen on the Walton Hill or Uffmore Wood car parks, which are more isolated.

"They usually take place at weekends, and we believe the offenders watch people place handbags and other valuables into their boots of their cars, and then strike after seeing them walk off.

"Although we patrol the car parks whenever we can, we cannot possibly cover all of the locations, so we really need to get the message across to people.

"Thefts from vehicles cause a considerable amount of distress, inconvenience and expense. As well as purses, handbags may contain items such as glasses and medication, which may be hard to replace at a weekend. Cameras may have treasured photos on them, and phones these days are often used as a diary and address book as well, so owners are completely lost without them.

"They also need to bear in mind that insurance companies may not pay up if valuables have been left in the vehicle."

Police are appealing to people not to hide their valuables in the boot, or under seats or in the glovebox, but to leave them at home or take them with them.

In most cases windows are smashed and officers are appealing to people to be vigilant, and to contact the police if they see or hear anything suspicious such as the sound of glass breaking.

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0300 333 3000 or dial 999 if a crime is in progress.

Issued: Friday, 27 January 2012