Car Theft Scheme Could Prompt Crime

Publication Date: Thursday, October 08, 2009

Police have been forced to rethink a scheme to protect car owners from having valuables stolen after drivers argued it was making their cars more vulnerable.
The initiative, introduced by Kent Police, saw officers attaching yellow bags containing leaflets on to cars which had valuables on display.
But car owners said the brightly-coloured bags were more likely to draw the attention of thieves to items that could be stolen.
Andrew Howard, spokesman for the AA, said: "Fundamentally we see all the reasons why the police are doing this, but they have got to be careful they don't advertise cars with valuable contents to people you don't want to alert or to potential thieves."
With gadgets like satnavs becoming more popular and advanced, it is increasingly important to ensure they are out of sight and the vehicle is protected by car insurance.
Chief Superintendent Mark Salisbury, Kent Police's area commander for West Kent, said the scheme was now being reviewed "because we do not want people to be fearful of becoming a victim of vehicle crime thinking this leaflet is in some way responsible."
He said: "They are designed to look like parking tickets so they don't advertise the fact that the vehicle is vulnerable." He added there had been a 20% reduction in thefts from vehicles during the first three months the leaflets were used.