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 Thames Valley Police in Milton Keynes has announced that during the Christmas period, there were only thirteen reported thefts from vehicles in the city centre, compared to 89 offences in 2007.
The figure relates to the period from 14 December to 14 January during the busiest shopping period of the year. Police believe the ongoing Empty Car campaign has played a significant part in keeping the numbers so low this year.
The Empty Car campaign is a partnership initiative where police and partners note down the registration number of any vehicle they see with valuable items on display, making it a target for criminals. The crime reduction team at Milton Keynes then send a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle, explaining they had left valuables on display and giving them some crime prevention tips for the future.
Det Chief Insp Justin Fletcher, chair of the SaferMK Serious Acquisitive Crime delivery group, said: “To have only thirteen reports of items being stolen from cars in the city centre during the busy Christmas period, is really staggering. Last year we had 30 and that was far lower than previous years.
“This year we have really stepped up the Empty Car campaign and I think there is no doubt that this has had a real impact on the number of car crimes being committed. Less people are leaving valuable items in their cars, giving thieves far fewer opportunities to strike. Most of these offenders are opportunist and will only target a car if there is something they can see inside worth stealing. If people empty their vehicles then they greatly reduce the risk of it being broken into.”
During December 3,084 people were sent Empty Car campaign letters and 932 of these were for cars parked in central Milton Keynes. Police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), crime prevention advisors, community safety wardens and NCP traffic wardens are all part of the successful campaign.
Richard Solly, SaferMK manager, added: “The Empty Car campaign is a great example of police and partners working together to reduce crime in Milton Keynes. The Community Safety Wardens and NCP officers are now actively involved in the campaign and no doubt their contribution will help boost the number of advice letters being sent out to the public. The low number of thefts reported during the busiest period in the city centre shows that the messages are getting through to people and the campaign is working.”
In addition to the Empty Car campaign, police carried out high visibility patrols across the city and targeted known auto crime offenders. Crime prevention messages were also put out by SaferMK on local radio and shoppers were given advice by the central neighbourhood police team, particularly around not leaving presents and shopping bags on display in the cities car parks.
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