Please be aware that there continues to be a number of incidents of theft from vehicle across the Crewe & Nantwich area. There are no specific wards being targeted with the majority of wards having an incident over the period.
The majority of vehicles are being targeted for two main reasons:
1.) Insecure Vehicles - Unfortunately, in some cases people are forgetting to lock their vehicles either overnight or when they are leaving them unsupervised during the day. Similar to sneak in burglaries in dwellings, it is a shame when people have security measures such as locks and alarms that aren't being utilised. It is also worth remembering that it can be more complicated to get an insurance payout if a vehicle has been left unlocked. It is extremely easy to forget to lock a vehicle so please urge members to try and take an extra half a minute every time they leave their vehicle to double check that they have locked their vehicle.
2.) Items Left On Show - In a number of incidents access to vehicles is being gained to take items that are being left on show when the vehicle is unoccupied. The most common form of entry in these cases (if the vehicle is secure) is to smash a window and grab the item in question. Please remember to check that items are not left on show in your vehicle. This includes items such as satellite navigation systems, mobile phones, lap tops and electronics. However, please remember that it can include more obscure items such as coats, rucksacks, handfuls of coinage, plastic bags, sunglasses. It is also worth being mindful that you may be leaving items on show that you know are not appealing to a thief but these may be in a rucksack or wrapped in a carrier bag (such as dirty gym kit, your used lunchbox etc). A thief will not know what is in a bag and may well take the chance to break into your vehicle to see. It is therefore best to be ultra safe and remove anything that might be appealing / tempting to an opportunist thief out of sight when exiting the vehicle.
The above reminders are particularly important in the run up to Christmas. Many of us may be dropping shopping bags back to our vehicles and it would be devastating for newly bought presents to be taken because you accidentally leave your vehicle unlocked or the items are left on show. If you are taking items back to the car, be mindful of who is observing you when you put them in your car, try and park on a safer park mark accredited car park and ensure they are locked out of sight. The same applies when doing present drops around family and friends. If you have several households to visit and are popping in for a chat / drink as you go around make sure the presents not for that household are locked securely out of sight.
With the clocks going back soon and the start of winter upon us it is important to ensure that your vehicles are fit for winter driving. If anyone has any vulnerable relatives / members or young drivers in the family it may be worthwhile assisting them with these checks to help them prepare for the winter weather.
This time of year can unfortunately mean an increase in the number of collisions on the roads. Drivers need to be prepared for all types of weather at all times. Although we all know the weather can start to change significantly at this time of year it always seems to come as a surprise to some drivers with many being caught out by fog, ice and snow as they embark on their normal day-to-day journeys.
Drivers are urged to take a few simple steps to ensure their car is fit for driving in winter weather.
• Ensure that the service history is up-to-date
• Make sure your lights and brakes are working properly
• Check the pressure of the tyres and ensure that the coolant and oil levels are correct
• Keep the windscreen washer topped up so that you can clear the film of moisture that fog leaves
• Make sure your windscreen is clear before setting off on a journey - that will improve visibility considerably when fog comes down
• Allow plenty of time to de-ice your car thoroughly - scraping a few inches of frost away right in front of your eyes is not adequate enough - it is illegal and dangerous. Please don't be tempted to leave your car defrosting unattended on your driveway. At this time of year you will spot a number of drivers do this to enable them to defrost their cars whilst finishing their breakfast, getting their stuff together etc. Most of us would not consider leaving our keys within our vehicles at any other time of the year and this time of year should be no different. Even if you lock your keys in your car with a spare key it would only take someone smashing the window to be able to steal your vehicle. If the weather is frosty allow extra time in the morning to defrost your vehicle properly with you in it when you leave.
• Ensure you put your fog lights on if conditions are bad enough - and remember to slow down and take care, especially at junctions
• Breaking down on the road is never a pleasant experience - make sure you have adequate breakdown cover
Drivers need to slow down if they are facing ice, fog or snow. If they have to drive more slowly, then they need to ensure they allow extra time to get to their destination.
A local Home Watch coordinator has recently brought my attention to a scam that she has been made aware of by a friend. At this time it is important to note that this scam has not been reported in the Crewe or Nantwich area and I have had this confirmed by a local Trading Standards Officer. Thus far, the scam seems to have been reported in the Penketh & Sankey areas of Warrington in the North of the county and Trading Standards are aware of this in that area. These scams can migrate as companies often target a batch of postcodes and as it has already reached Cheshire it seems sensible to forewarn our local coordinators so that members can be prepared should they receive a call from this company in the future and also know to report any contact to trading standards.
Thankfully, the individual approached in the reported incident did not buy anything and asked the company to leave. Upon speaking to some neighbours it seems that other people in their area had also been approached by the company. However the company seem to be using several pressure selling tactic such as arranging a short appointment and staying a long time, urging people to make a snap decision to sign up to a deal on the spot otherwise they won't get the deal, pushing for more and more items to be bought / looked at during their time at a persons property.
As always please urge members never to buy any goods and services from the door or telephone. Often telephone companies try and arrange a follow up appointment with the householder on an initial phone call - by doing this they are no longer cold calling as you have made an appointment to invite them into your home. If you require any goods and services source them yourself by finding several quotations, taking recommendations from friends/family and finding accredited companies to carry out the work.
If anyone has any contact from this company please make Trading Standards (Consumer Direct) aware via 08454 04 05 06.
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