Driving and car safety

Drivers across Shropshire have been reminded by police never to leave valuables in their vehicles, after a sat nav and bag were stolen from a car in Market Drayton.

It takes only seconds to smash a window and steal items which have been left in cars or vans but it also takes only seconds to take valuables with you when you leave your vehicle.

In the recent incident, which happened in Quarry Bank, Market Drayton between about 6.30pm on Thursday 7 July 2011 and Friday 8 July 2011, a black work bag had been left on display in the black Skoda car, with a sat nav hidden beneath the front seat.

The offender or offenders smashed a window to gain entry and stole both items, although the bag was found dumped further down the road.

Police Constable Paul Frank, from the town’s Local Policing Team, urged people to take just a few seconds to check they were not leaving anything in their vehicles after parking up.

“Even if you are only leaving your car for a minute, it takes less than that for someone to put in the window and steal anything you have left inside,” he said.

“Even hiding items from view can be ineffective, as someone may have been watching exactly where you have put it so they know where to look.

“Always take anything that might be attractive to thieves, such as sat navs, mobile phones, mp3 players, handbags and loose change with you when your car is unattended.

“Even an innocuous looking bag that you know has nothing valuable inside is an attraction for thieves, as they won’t know what the contents are.”

PC Frank added that anyone in the town who wanted further crime prevention advice was invited to attend his team’s next PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting, which is being held at The Grove School on Tuesday 12 July 2011, starting at 7pm.

Further advice about vehicle security is also available on the Advice Centre of the force website at

www.westmercia.police.uk.