LAPTOP THIEVES WATCH FOR COMMUTER TARGETS
23.12.2005
Thieves on bikes are stealing laptops from the boots of commuters' cars as they sit in traffic jams in the city. Police have issued a warning after the trend was noticed in the Southville area where many office workers park.
Sergeant Jon Owen, based at Broadbury Road police station in Knowle, said: "We have been analysing what has been happening in Southville and found that 75 per cent of car crime victims are commuters.
"They park their cars and then walk over the river bridge to their offices in the city.
"Many will have laptops with them which they will take to work. At the end of the day they return, unaware that they might be being watched by a thief as they put their laptop in the boot.
"A few minutes later, when they are stuck in rush hour traffic, someone will cycle up, pop the boot and be away with the laptop in seconds."
Police have run special operations targeting the thieves, put up notices in the area warning that thieves are operating, and spoken to drivers.
Up to 160 cars are being broken into each week in Bristol and officers are warning drivers not to leave any possessions in their cars.
Sergeant Owen said: "Even the empty bracket for a satellite navigation system could prompt a thief to break into the car to see if it was in the glove box.
"My advice is to take everything with you or leave it at home if you don't need it for the journey.
"To a thief, a coat left on a back seat could have a wallet or mobile in a pocket."
Portable 'sat nav' units that can be plugged into cars are becoming increasingly popular - especially with thieves who can sell them on the black market for £130.
Hands-free phone kits, expensive stereo systems, laptops and, at this time of year, car boots full of Christmas presents, all make rich pickings for thieves.
Sergeant Owen said: "Never, ever fill the boot with presents and then go back to the shops for more - take your shopping straight home.
"We are carrying out extra patrols throughout December and January, but we can't be everywhere at once.
"There is a simple way of protecting yourself from thieves: leave nothing of value in the car and leave the glove box open to show there is nothing in it worth taking."
This article was sourced from www.thisisbristol.co.uk
