Professional Drivers Warned of Recent Robberies

Professional drivers are being warned of recent reports of robberies in the area, with thieves reportedly attempting to steal drivers’ cash and phones.

In the case of taxi drivers, this often involves the suspects asking to exchange notes.

There have also been reported cases of delivery drivers who have had phones and other items stolen whilst vehicles have been left unlocked.

Robbery can happen to anyone, and threats of violence are often used which can have a long-lasting impact upon a victim’s confidence and life.

Cleveland Police takes robbery extremely seriously and these offences won’t be tolerated.

Officers work closely with partner agencies including businesses and educational establishments all year round to raise awareness and tackle the issue, as well as targeting hotspot areas and known offenders.

Police know from speaking with delivery companies that each company has their own rules in regards to checks when delivering parcels such as ensuring that vehicle doors are locked.

There are some steps which drivers might like to take which may help reduce the risk of being targeted by a potential thief.

These steps include…

• Stay alert at all times.
• Trust your instinct, as you have the right to refuse a passenger if you think they may present a risk.
• If you have a saloon car, control passenger access to the front. Only open the windows enough to speak to people without them being able to reach in. Only let them sit in the front if you wish.
• Make eye contact with the passenger when they get in the car. This helps to establish a relationship with them and also gives them the message that you could identify them.
• Fit a CCTV system.
• If you can, drive to a brightly lit, busy place as these are often covered by CCTV.
• Keep valuables out of sight and remove cash from vehicles.
• When alighting the vehicle to deliver a parcel, ensure that doors are locked and engines are not left with the keys in.
• If you have a purpose-built taxi or a saloon car with a screen, you are likely to be safer staying in your vehicle than getting out.
• Do not attempt to run after a suspect. Your safety is more important.

For further crime prevention advice and information, please visit www.cleveland.police.uk

There are a number of ways to report incidents to Cleveland Police, including:

• Call 101 (or 999 in an emergency)
• Report non-emergency incidents online at cleveland.police.uk
• Use the COPA app – Apple users can download the app here: Apple and Android users can download here: COPA - Cleveland Policing App – Apps on Google Play
• Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111