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Crime Prevention

On this month’s Crime Prevention Segment Sergeant Amanda Flood was in studio to offer advice to Tourists travelling to Ireland over the summer months. Many of these tourists will use private cars as a means of travel. Generally around one in ten thefts from cars are connected to tourism, with most occurring between March & October. 

Incidents are more likely to occur at weekends and the most common time for thefts to occur is between noon & 7pm. Around 1 in 10 vehicles were unlocked or had window left open. In 50% of cases a window was broken to gain access to the vehicle. In 2016 almost €700k worth of items were stolen from vehicles, just over €100k of which were cash. Areas of interest where incidents can occur are along coast lines or at scenic locations.

Crime Prevention Advice:

1. Survey where you’re going to park your car – is there broken glass on the ground, is the car park covered by CCTV?

2. Ensure your vehicle is locked and check it before leaving the vehicle

3. Avoid leaving windows slightly open – regardless of where you’ve park and how long you’re leaving the vehicle for.  Remember there are always opportunists!

4. If you have to keep coin in your car for parking meters, keep it in a closed ashtray (if you have one) or in some other out-of-sight compartment (most cars have a little drawer somewhere).  If it is on view a desperate thief will smash a side window (worth €200) to steal €3 in change

5. It goes without saying that things like handbags, jackets, wallets, laptops, and shopping should never be left on view in the vehicle.  Some of these can be locked in the boot.  

6. Avoid bringing valuables with you on your journey you know you won’t need - If you must bring them hide it from sight before arriving at your destination.

7. A portable Sat-Nav should be carried on the person or left in a locked boot, together with its cradle or mat when leaving the car.  Any suction cup marks on the windscreen should be wiped away as their presence will indicate to the thief that you may have a device, such as a sat-nav, hidden in the glove compartment.  You may not have, but this won’t stop the thief from smashing a side window to take a look – another €200.  You can purchase Sat-Nav mats, which have weighted bases to stop the whole thing sliding around, with a smooth top on which you can stick the Sat-Nav.  This means that you won't be leaving suction cup marks on the windscreen.  The same mat can be used with a cradle to hold your mobile phone too.

8. Keep the inside of the vehicle tidy as an untidy vehicle containing opened mail, plastic bags etc may attract the curiosity of a thief.  Remove any jackets or coats that may be on display in the vehicle – offenders may want to check that nothing is hidden under them

9. If there is nothing in the glove compartment leave it open to view 10. If planning your trip in advance, check online if the location has a website or app with safety tips for visitors.