Residents urged to be vigilant of vehicle crime

With winter fast approaching and nights getting darker, officers are issuing advice on how residents can keep their vehicles safe and secure.

We’re urging residents to be vigilant and make sure they get into a habit of keeping items out of sight and keeping keys in a safe place.

Here’s what we recommend you do:

• Do not leave valuables in sight, even items you don’t consider to be valuable, as any item on show may still attract unwanted attention
• If parking your vehicle up overnight, ensure the area is well lit and do not leave items of value in your vehicle overnight
• If you have a doorbell camera, ensure it is turned on and that your vehicle is in sight for any footage required thereafter
• Where possible, don’t leave your vehicle keys in the porch
• Understand keyless vehicle thefts - Keyless car theft or 'relay theft' is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition. Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside your home. This means that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal your car.
• When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car
• Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag
• Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second-hand car
• Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used

You can find out more information on crime prevention on our website here: Crime prevention advice | Cleveland Police

If you need to report a crime to us, call us on 101. Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.