Crime Prevention Bulletin April

Crime Prevention Bulletin April

Dear Resident

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Rise in catalytic converter thefts

We are seeing a sharp increase in reports of catalytic converter thefts; this could be due to the value of rhodium and palladium which are inside the converters. Hybrid vehicles are the most targeted, but any vehicle can be at risk. Thefts occur most frequently in car parks, but they can happen anywhere.

Ways to protect your vehicle if, like many people, you don’t have access to a garage:

Know where your catalytic converter is located; if it’s at the front of your car, park with the bonnet towards a wall if possible; if it’s at the back, park it with your exhaust to the wall

If parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other cars and incorporating a wall

Avoid parking your vehicle half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for thieves to get under your car

If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove

Alternatively, you can also etch a serial number on the converter so that if it is stolen and then recovered, we can get your converter back to you

You can find more crime prevention advice here: Catalytic converter theft

Safe selling online

Online marketplaces and selling platforms have made it easier than ever to turn unwanted items into cash. But with convenience comes risk and it is commonplace for offenders to target sellers with scams designed to steal money or goods.

Get Safe Online have put together some clear, practical advice to help you sell confidently and securely, however much or little experience you have: Selling online safely - Get Safe Online

Advice from the Blue Lamp Trust

As well as providing Safe Home and Safe Online visits by their police-vetted technicians, the Blue Lamp Trust also have helpful advice and interesting articles on their regular blogs, you can find these on their website: News | Blue Lamp Trust – Community Safety Updates Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Secure your garden

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we spend more time outdoors, it’s important to remember that gardens can become a target for opportunistic thieves. A few simple steps can make a big difference in keeping your outdoor space secure. Neighbourhood Watch and Secured by Design have some helpful guides with tips and advice on layers of security: Securing your garden ready for Summer | Neighbourhood Watch Network and Secured by Design - Secure Your Home Garden

Warning - Fake banknotes

Police forces across the country have issued warnings about counterfeit notes, for more details please see: Police warning over fake £20 notes. - BBC

Whether you are a customer or vendor, please do check all

banknotes carefully as the Bank of England advises they do not reimburse for counterfeit currency. For more advice please see: Counterfeit banknotes | Bank of England

If you receive a fake banknote, the advice is to contact police who will seize it.

If you have information about someone making, selling or using counterfeit banknotes, and wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Free tools to stop scammers

Which? have published a helpful article running through simple ways to use free tools to protect your data and guard against common scams – a few small changes can make a big difference. 7 free tools that can prevent scams - Which?

Rural Businesses – EyesOn app

We are encouraging people with a business connection to rural Hampshire and IOW to sign up to the free EyesOn app, created with funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner. The app offers a digital solution to filing crime reports and has a secure ‘chat’ function between groups of local users and the police.

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Message Sent By
Carl Boxall
(Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, PCSO, Waterlooville South NPT)