Police warning after car criminals target two areas of Hartlepool

Criminals are said to be targeting vehicles in the Burn Valley and Foggy Furze areas of Hartlepool.

Cleveland Police crime prevention and architectural liaison officer Gerry McBride has now offered a series of tips in a bid to prevent further offences from taking place.

He said: “Think of your car as a large glass display case on wheels.

“When parking up consider leaving the glove box open and removing the parcel shelf, to show any would-be thief there’s nothing in your vehicle.

“Check around your car before you leave it, that nothing is on display. Thieves will steal anything! Check that you’ve locked it and that windows and sunroof are closed.

“Don’t leave coats in the car. The coat may be worthless to you however to the thief, it may contain a wallet or hide valuables underneath.

“At home, keep vehicles locked, empty them of all valuables and keep the keys somewhere safe and secure, not on a table, stairs or key hook near the front door.

"Thieves have been known to go on fishing expeditions for these keys, through the letterbox, or even a cat flap.”

For further information about crime prevention advice, go to Cleveland Police’s website at www.cleveland.police.uk or speak to a member of the crime prevention team on 101.

Anyone with any information about a crime is urged to contact the police on 101 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

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