Vehicle Crime
Darlington CDRP is working hard to reduce theft from vehicles and theft of vehicles. An action plan has been developed to raise awareness with the community about what they can do to prevent vehicle crime and to increase intelligence around car crime so the perpetrators can be bought to justice.
Don’t be a victim
- Lock your car.
- Park in a car park if you can.
- Don’t leave expensive items on display.
- Remove satellite navigation systems and cradle.
- Steer Clear of Car Crime (pdf)
Many thieves are opportunistic, they will simply see something they want left on display and take the chance to smash the window and grab it. By moving valuable items off display and parking in well-lit public places you make any attempt at theft from your car less appealing.
CDRP Activity
Under Operation Hawkeye the Council’s Uniformed Wardens and Car Park Attendants as well as Police Community Support Officers will now take down your registration plate number if you leave attractive items on display. If your registration is taken down the police will then use their records to send you a letter informing you that the items were left on display and that this increases the attractiveness of your vehicle to thieves.
The CDRP has used poster campaigns, the media and magazines to explain to residents in Darlington how they can help us reduce vehicle crime.
A number of CCTV cameras have been installed in the town’s car parks; this has led to a big fall in the number of cars broken into in our car parks.
The Police have dedicated a significant amount of resources to tackle this problem; by conducting surveillance and intelligence operations a number of individuals have been arrested and convicted of vehicle related crimes.