The following are extracts from the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team's September Bulletin
Examples of crimes in your area
- Two properties in Stamford Bridge have been broken into, searched and items stolen.
- Two metal ladders were stolen from a roof rack of a van which had been parked in a car park for several days.
- Entry was gained into a building site in Stamford Bridge and various items stolen.
- Eggs and stones were thrown at a parked car in Stamford Bridge causing damage to it.
- A car parked in Pocklington has had both its windscreen wipers damaged.
- A window of a car parked on a driveway in Pocklington was smashed but no entry was gained.
- A secure transit van in Wilberfoss was broken into and tools stolen.
- A transit van in Stamford Bridge was damaged but no entry was gained inside.
- A car parked in Stamford Bridge was damaged.
Keep your keys and vehicles safe and don’t be a “2 in 1” Victim
The term “2 in 1 burglary” is used when there are two offences in one, for example when vehicle keys have been stolen in order for offenders to take a car/van from outside a property.
These crimes have usually been committed overnight and often the offenders have gained access to a house by forcing entry or by even using cat flaps and letter boxes to put an instrument into the house to unhook car keys from key hangers near to doors.
Here are some simple security measures that can be taken:
- Keep all keys safe and out of sight. Never hang them near to doors where they could be taken through a letterbox or near an open window.
- Never leave house or car keys in an obvious place like a handbag or key cupboard.
- If you’ve got a garage, use it rather than leaving your vehicle on the driveway or the roadside. Always ensure that your garage is locked too.
- Always keep your vehicle locked and secured. If your car doesn't have an alarm/immobilizer then consider getting one fitted.
- Consider extra security such as a steering wheel lock. (Steering locks and gear level locks are often all that is needed to deter a thief as they simply don't want the hassle of breaking in and trying to get them undone.)
- Never leave any property in your car or van when it is unattended. It takes criminals seconds to smash a window and grab something.
- There is also a growing trend for work vans to be targeted and broken into, so keep valuable tools in your home overnight or at work.
It is clear that offenders are looking at locations and vehicles prior to coming back to commit the crimes. This could simply be someone looking around an area during the day, someone pretending to do door to door sales, or someone coming to your home on another pretext.
So, if you get a “cold caller” ask yourself:
- Is the caller coming to my home in any way suspicious?
- Is the caller paying attention to my car or asking me questions about it?
If so, give Humberside Police a call on the Non Emergency number 101 to report your concerns.
If you’re selling your vehicle via a newspaper, a magazine or a website, remember that you’ll get callers coming to your home looking at your vehicle. If you do, do they seem legitimate? If in doubt, and can do so safely, get a description of the people who come to look at the car and, just as importantly, details of any vehicle they came in.
If you’ve got any doubts, then let us know!
Please see the attached link with some guidance about doorstep callers and how to be safe and secure.
http://www.humberside.police.uk/scams/doorstep-callers
East Riding Council can also be contacted if you believe such persons are acting in your area. You can also contact ERYC in relation to making your area a no cold calling zone