CommunitySafe.gov.uk

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME As part of an ongoing campaign to drive out vehicle crime, Merton Police and Safer Merton are providing free car air fresheners to motorists in the Borough with a crime prevention message stating 'STOP - All valuables have been removed' on one side and a message reminding motorists to remove all valuables on the other. Merton Police Crime Reduction Advisor Pc Greg HUNT said, "The Partnership is committed to reducing vehicle crime. Theft from motor vehicle is on the increase and all too often the thief steals property left out on open display in the vehicle. These air fresheners serve 2 purposes, firstly that all items of value have been removed from the vehicle whilst secondly acting as a reminder to remove items of value from the vehicle. Taking a few seconds to remove any valuables from your vehicle may save you hundreds of pounds in repairing a broken window and replacing your valuables. This runs alongside the vulnerable vehicle scheme already being run by your Safer Neighbourhood Teams. If officers out on patrol discover something of value left out on open display in a vehicle they will contact the registered keeper and warn them of the likelihood of returning to their vehicle and finding that property stolen. This will either be in person at the time or by the Teams writing to the registered keeper if not local. This information may well be shared with insurance companies in the event of an insurance claim which may affect that claim” The air fresheners are available free of charge at vehicle crime road shows or by contacting Cannon Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team directly. For further crime reduction advice or information contact Cannon Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 0208 721 2455 or by e-mail on Cannonhill.snt@met.police.uk. If you wish to become a member of Community safe and sign up to free crime alerts and news of what your local safer Neighbourhood Team is up to please contact them direct or join via www.communitysafe.gov.uk.