Following a series of thefts from sports club dressing rooms, car parks and ground equipment stores, Herts Police Crime Prevention Officers are offering the following advice to help keep your possessions secure:
Don’t leave valuables such as wallets, Sat Navs, ipods, mobile phones or laptops in vehicles – and why not register them on the free online property database www.immobilise.com?
Remember to remove the cradles for Sat Navs/mobiles and clean the window where the cradle has been stuck – otherwise a thief may see the suction mark and take a chance that you’ve left valuables in the car.
Don’t leave any possessions on display in your vehicle – even a coat left on the seat could make a thief think it is hiding something more valuable. Put them in the boot or, preferably, take them with you.
Ensure the doors and boot are locked and all windows and the sunroof are properly shut, and if you have an alarm and/or immobiliser, remember to set them.
Don’t leave valuables in dressing rooms and make sure dressing rooms are locked even when play is in progress. Leave valuables where they can be well supervised or properly locked away - perhaps behind a staffed bar or with playing colleagues.
Don’t leave any ground equipment out overnight – please lock away when the game is finished. Ensure that any garages/containers have good quality padlocks and if possible are connected to the main pavilions alarm system
Please be vigilant as it seems sports clubs are being targeted by criminals.
If you see anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, please contact the Police on 999 if you believe a crime may be in progress, or report on the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222 if an event has happened. You can also obtain crime prevention advice from your local Crime Prevention Officer by ringing 0845 33 00 222 and asking for their details or by looking on the Herts Police website www.herts.police.uk.
Mike Sibley AdCertED&CP, LCGI, ACII
Crime Prevention/Architectural Liaison Officer
Watford Police Station
Shady Lane
Watford
Herts WD17 1DD
Tel No: 01923 472030
E-mail: michael.sibley@herts.pnn.police.uk
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