Alarm at spate of car thefts (From The Oxford Times)

Alarm at spate of car thefts

12:59pm Tuesday 23rd December 2008 in News By Chris Kearney

PCSOs Lucy Watts and Simon McSweeney with Pc Chris Miles

Thieves have broken into or stolen a car at a rate of one per day this month in Headington.

Twenty-three vehicles have been broken into since December 1, with nine cars in Cheney Lane, three in Kennett Road and two in Wharton Road being targeted.

Other cars have been broken into in St Leonard’s Road and Old Road.

A further four cars were stolen from outside homes in William Kimber Crescent, Dene Road, Bulan Road and Three Fields Road.

Pc Chris Miles, from the Headington neighbourhood team, said: “It might be with Christmas coming up there are opportunists out looking to make some quick money, or it could just be the way the economy is.

“We are not quite sure why we have seen this surge in break-ins and thefts of vehicles. Most of these crimes have happened in the past 10 to 15 days.”

“It’s a real worry as they are happening at all times of day — not just in the evenings — and we want to warn people to be vigilant.”

Items stolen included satellite navigation systems, mobile phones, bags and cash.

Pc Miles said Headington-based police community support officers had started carrying out a survey of the roads worst hit by the thieves to see what people were leaving in their cars.

He added: “It’s amazing what people are still leaving in their cars, despite constant warnings not to.We are still finding people are leaving valuables on display.”

“One car had Christmas presents in the back seat. It’s awful to think they could have been stolen before someone even had the chance to give them out.

“People need to be more cautious. The last thing you want to be doing at this time of year is calling up your insurance company because someone has either broken into or stolen your car.”

As part of the survey, PCSOs will make a note of registration details and call the owners at home to speak to them about what they found.

Anyone who cannot be contacted this way will have a letter sent to them with information on how to keep cars safe.

Pc Miles said: “Anything valuable should be taken with them, put in the glove box or boot.”

ckearney@oxformail.co.uk