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Dale Benton

dale

Graduate Intern News Writer at The Lincolnite.
Studied English & Journalism at The University of Lincoln.
Football enthusiast, casual reader and the occasional film buff.


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!

Keen-eyed Lincoln photographers were rewarded for their photographic skills in a competition at Whisby Nature Park, with entrants given the opportunity to have work featured in an official 2014 calendar.

The Natural World Centre in Whisby Nature Park, along with the Lincoln branch of Kodak Express, awarded 13 lucky photographers with special prizes for the best photos of Whisby Nature Park on July 14.

Elizabeth Dunn, with her “Foggy, Frosty Morning” photo, was crowned the winner of the adult category. Alongside her photo appearing in the calendar, Elizabeth will be provided with expert tuition from within Kodak Express’ photo studios as a reward for her winning photograph.

The winner of the children’s category, 8-year-old Joe Miller and his photo “Below the Forest”, will receive a digital photo frame to show off his winning image.

Trevor Gibbs, proprietor of Kodak Express and sponsor of the competition, chose the winning photos from both categories, with staff and visitors of The Natural World Centre choosing the overall winner Stuart Edwards. Edwards had previously featured in the past three competitions, with this being his first win.

All 13 winners will have their work featured in the 2014 calendar and receive a copy for themselves. The competition will return next year, with The Natural World Centre encouraging people across Lincoln to pick up a camera and snap. Participants can enter their photos from March 2014, with all entries going on display around the centre throughout May.

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