"The more security that your car has, the less likely it is to get done" - Convicted car thief urges people to remove valuables from cars

Officers say vehicle crime generally increases during the summer season, which is why motorists need to be aware of how to protect their vehicle from being targeted by thieves.

Vehicle security can go to the back of people’s minds once they’ve parked up, especially if they’re on holiday, so they often leave themselves open to becoming a target.

A convicted car thief, who has served time in prison for committing numerous offences, but is now working with Dorset Police, has offered the following advice for motorists, based on what he looked for before breaking into a vehicle.

He said: “The more security that your car has, the less likely it is to get done.

“When I’m looking at a car, I’m looking at what kind of security it’s got….whether it’s going to be something quick and easy or if it’s going to take a bit of time. Depending on the situation and time I’ve got, I decide whether it’s worth doing.

“I’ve found wallets…car keys and house keys, jewellery – people just leave a lot of stuff. Don’t leave anything on display – nothing. I wouldn’t even leave anything in door wells.”

The local man added that certain things deter a criminal from breaking into your car.

“Stickers, security signs that say ‘this car is alarmed’, visible alarm systems – the flashing red lights – steering locks, gearstick or handbrake locks – those type of security measures. These tell me that this person has gone out of their way to secure their car and, therefore, they are more forward-thinking so would be less likely to leave anything of value in their car-I would be less motivated to do it.

“If people were more security conscious it wouldn’t take them even five minutes to clear out their car and make it secure.

“If your car is clean, looks secure, looks empty, I’m probably just going to walk off and go to the next car. If I walk down the street and every car is like that, I’ll then move to a different street, and then a different area.”

Local business and residents don’t escape the clutch of the thieves either, whether they’re parked on a driveway, roadside or in any type of car park.

Detective Inspector Andy Dilworth of Bournemouth Police Station, said: “Vehicle crime has been an issue in Dorset for several years, and despite arresting prolific offenders regularly, criminals continue to target vehicles across the county.

“A large volume of vehicle crime occurs in the Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole conurbation where there is more opportunity.

“Other thieves target rural beauty spots, especially at this time of the year when more people visit the countryside, but many leave their vehicles unattended for a long time with few other people around.

“In this hot weather, people sometimes leave their windows open and doors unlocked when they park up or leave smaller items like sunglasses on show, which entices the thieves to try door handles and break-in to the vehicle.

“Some criminals attempt to steal from one hundred vehicles per night, so the advice we’re giving is clear: remove it, lock it!”

In total, 1,204 vehicle crime reports were made to Dorset Police across the county, between January 1 and May 11 2015.

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