Intranetics Motoring News Service

Northerners given satnav warnings

20th August 2007 | BACK     PRINT

The Metropolitan police, based in London, have recently been campaigning to raise awareness of the danger of satnav theft to local drivers. Figures show that they are justified in doing so, with a large rise in the number of crooks ripping off the gadgets in the capital.

However, this is not an issue solely facing those in the south, it seems, with a number of northern authorities taking steps to combat incidents of the crime. Officers in Lincolnshire and Humberside have taken to the streets as part of Operation Maximum Impact with the goal of cutting down on the number of offences.

Hotspots have been identified for particular attention, with Grimsby's Garth Lane and Thorpe Park in Cleethorpes thought to be some of the worst affected. Indeed, police had reports of 17 thefts from Thorpe Park, while the Grimsby address saw nine incidents in the month of July, reports the Grimsby Telegraph. Patrolling officers who are looking to reduce this number saw 14 satnav devices on public display in just one day of walking the streets, suggesting that drivers are yet to heed the message that doing so could incur theft.

Detective Chief Inspector Rick Proctor of Humberside Police leader of Operation Maximum Impact in North-East Lincolnshire, commented: "Our message is that crime will not be tolerated and we will do everything in our power to bring people to justice and help stop people becoming victims of crime."

Aside from losing one's no claims bonus, invited crime of this nature could see a vehicle off the road for quite some time.

Further north, officers of Tayside Police have issued a similar warning to local motorists fallowing a rise in the number of satnav devices stolen from vehicles. Figures released by the authority showed that 57 such gadgets were taken from cars in and around Dundee, leading Divisional Crime Prevention Officer Colin Brough to speak out and urge motorists to be more cautious.

"Owners can help prevent their theft by removing the system, including the mounting bracket, when leaving their vehicle unattended," he remarked.

"It is important to take the whole unit with you so that there is no visible evidence of the system having been fitted."

He also said that satnavs are not the only piece of equipment proving a tasty target for robbers, with laptops, sunglasses, phones, stereos and important paperwork being taken.

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