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I wanted to provide an update regarding theft from motor vehicles, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. Protect Your Property – Forensic Marking Makes a Difference
Tool theft and vehicle crime remain significant challenges for tradespeople and residents across London. Criminals often target vans, bikes, trailers, and other valuable assets, causing financial loss and disruption. The Metropolitan Police Service is urging the community to take proactive steps to protect their property.
Datatag along with Havering Police will be hosting Crime Prevention Events throughout 2026. These events will showcase Datatag’s innovative security solutions, including:
• Forensic Property Marking Kits – Permanently and covertly mark tools, vehicles, bikes, and trailers with unique identifiers, making stolen items traceable and less attractive to thieves.
• Tracking Solutions – Advanced trackers for bikes and cars to help recover stolen property quickly.
These measures significantly reduce the risk of theft and increase the chances of recovery if items are stolen.
For more information on Datatag’s products, visit: https://www.datatag.co.uk/
Inspector Mark Connolly said:
"Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Forensic marking and tracking technology are powerful tools in the fight against theft. By securing your property and engaging with your local police, you help protect your livelihood and strengthen our community."
 Having personal items stolen from your vehicle is an upsetting experience, and we are determined to find and arrest those who break the law. We will keep you updated with what we are doing to tackle this in your area, but in the meantime, please follow the below advice to help protect your belongings. Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door. If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when it’s not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months. Remove all items from view by taking them with you or putting them in the boot out of sight. Thieves will look for any items on display. Things like clothes, documents or an old bag might not seem like valuables, but they could still tempt a thief. Ensure you remove all other clues there might be valuables linked to the car, such as phone chargers or sat-nav mounts. Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you do not have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space. Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme. Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others.
If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years. | 
