Police warning as thieves target cars (From Swindon Advertiser)

Police warning as thieves target cars

6:00pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News By Matthew Edwards

POLICE are warning car owners not to leave valuables in their vehicles after a spate of break-ins in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Four cars have been broken into in the past week, with stereos, sat navs and even a set of car keys being stolen as a result.

The break-ins have taken place across the town and are not limited to one area, with reports of incidents in Badger Close and Longfellow Crescent since the start of January.

It comes on the back of police in West Swindon urging homeowners to take precautions to stop themselves becoming victims of a gang that has struck 22 times since December 16.

The gang looted 17 cars and it is not certain whether the incidents are related at the moment.

Sergeant Martin Alvis, of WIltshire Police said: “We have had a number of car break-ins around the area, mainly concentrated on Wootton Bassett in the last week.

“We have had reports of four in the last week, which is too many, and thieves have stolen a range of items from stereos, sat navs and in one case the keys were taken but not the car.

“Please can we advise people not to leave valuables in their cars and to ensure that your vehicle is locked securely.

“It is just simple things like making sure your stereo or sat nav is removed from the car, so there is no reason to get into the car.

“Unless we have forensic evidence it is hard to trace the culprits of such incidents so we need to prevent them from committing the offence in the first place.

“Can we ask everyone to keep their eyes peeled. We need your assistance in trying to catch the people responsible.”

Anyone with information can call 101 or Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously, on 0800 555 111.