July 16, 2013 11.44 am This story is over 140 months old

Lincolnshire Police give advice after summer car crimes spike

Important advice: Police are issuing tips on keeping cars in Lincoln safe due to a rise in summertime break-ins.

Lincolnshire Police are offering tips to residents in Lincoln on how how to keep their cars safe after increasing reports of car crimes across the city.

In the last couple of months there have been a few reported cases of car related crimes.

In most incidents, offenders break into the car to steal items such as Sat Navs or cash.

In one incident on May 21, police had responded to a stolen car in the early hours of the morning.

The Black Toyota Land Cruiser was parked outside a house in Yarborough Crescent, Lincoln when it was taken.

Police say in the summer months, cars are more likely to be left unattended.

Here are a few tips issued by Lincolnshire Police to keep cars safe:

  • Always lock the doors and close the windows when you park your car, even when it is locked in your garage or on your driveway, even if you’re just stepping out of your car for a few minutes.
  • Park your car in a well-lit area, where it can be seen by passers-by at night.
  • Never leave anything on display in your vehicle. Even small change could pose an attractive target for opportunist thieves.
  • Ensure that you remove your stereo system, if you can when leaving your vehicle.
  • Always remember to remove sat navs, including the support cradle and the suction pad. Remember to wipe away any suction pad marks left on the windscreen.
  • If your vehicle is fitted with an alarm or an immobiliser, make sure they work and use them!
  • For older vehicles fit a steering lock when you are not using your vehicle.
  • Tuck in wing mirrors and put the aerial down to discourage vandals.
  • Mark any equipment normally left in the vehicle such as CD player, the jack and spare wheel with the vehicle’s registration number.
  • When parking your car away from home, look for a police approved secured car park. A blue ‘P’ parking sign with the words ‘Park Mark, Safer Parking’ will indicate this.
  • Keep your car keys out of sight, even in the house. If someone broke into your house, they could potentially steal your car keys too!