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Police battle car crimewave
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| Thefts from vehicles are on the increase |
A CAR is broken into every two days in some parts of Swindon, according to new figures.
Now police are urging motorists to take extra caution after a spate of thefts from vehicles.
So far this year 24 vehicles have been broken in to in the Upper Stratton and Stratton St Margaret areas.
In the same period, 23 similar offences were committed in the Old Town, Walcot, and Lawn areas.
The shocking tally of crimes shows that more that 47 people were victims of car crime in only 82 days.
That translates into a vehicle break-in more than every other day in a small section of the town.
Police are investigating the thefts and would like to hear from anyone who knows anyone responsible for the crimewave or who has seen a vehicle being broken into.
"We are investigating these thefts and are determined to bring to justice the people who are committing these crimes," said Inspector Mark Sellers.
"Local residents can play their part by looking after their vehicles and protecting them against theft as far as possible.
"I would urge residents to follow the crime prevention advice and park vehicles in garages wherever this is possible.
"If it is not, then park vehicles in busy, well-lit areas and do not have valuables on show.
"People know that losing valuable or sentimental items is not nice to deal with but can sometimes forget the extra work needed to repair windows, replace locks and make insurance claims.
"If you take the necessary steps to protect yourself you will reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime and avoid the distress and hassle this brings."
Last week police in the Parks area of town said that at least 10 vehicles had been vandalised.
Cars parked in Dulverton Avenue and Dawlish Close had wing mirrors smashed off overnight on Saturday, March 15.
Crime prevention officer Bob Walton added: "Thieves are opportunist and will break in if they see something inside that they want.
"Even something as innocent as a bag or jacket will attract them in case they are concealing something valuable."
l If you have witnessed any of the thefts, or have information which could help the police, call Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
11:15am Tuesday 25th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Captain Sensible, Near Swindon on 11:56am Tue 25 Mar 08
In other words, crime is spiralling out of control and the police are unable to do anything about it. Mind you if you catch one of these scumbags red handed and make a citizens arrest the police will either: say they have no resources available and send a PCSO around 10 days later, or send 4 squad cars around and arrest you for assaulting the scumbag. Thats Bliar and Calamity Browns Britain for you.
In other words, crime is spiralling out of control and the police are unable to do anything about it. Mind you if you catch one of these scumbags red handed and make a citizens arrest the police will either: say they have no resources available and send a PCSO around 10 days later, or send 4 squad cars around and arrest you for assaulting the scumbag. Thats Bliar and Calamity Browns Britain for you.
Posted by: Pedantic, Swindon on 12:36pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I take it that the Adver photographer made a citizens' arrest after taking the piccie above?!
I take it that the Adver photographer made a citizens' arrest after taking the piccie above?!
Posted by: emmylou83, Stratton on 1:12pm Tue 25 Mar 08
According to the news today Swindon is the 4th safest place to live too.
According to the news today Swindon is the 4th safest place to live too.
Posted by: angry monkey, Swindon on 1:18pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]emmylou83[/bold] wrote:
According to the news today Swindon is the 4th safest place to live too.[/quote] Thats not true. It has the 4th lowest average burlary rates in the country
That alone does not make a town safe.
emmylou83 wrote:
According to the news today Swindon is the 4th safest place to live too.
Thats not true. It has the 4th lowest average burlary rates in the country
That alone does not make a town safe.
Posted by: adam, Swindon on 1:29pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I’ve said this before on here but every car I have ever owned has been broken into. My last car was broken into 2 times!
I’ve stopped calling the Police as they make no attempt to do anything about it and it’s cheaper to fix a window myself than claim on the insurance.
The sad truth is that if someone wants to steal something from you they will. The only thing you can do is make you property less appealing to thieves.
I’ve said this before on here but every car I have ever owned has been broken into. My last car was broken into 2 times!
I’ve stopped calling the Police as they make no attempt to do anything about it and it’s cheaper to fix a window myself than claim on the insurance.
The sad truth is that if someone wants to steal something from you they will. The only thing you can do is make you property less appealing to thieves.
Posted by: emmylou83, Stratton on 1:30pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]angry monkey[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]emmylou83[/bold] wrote: According to the news today Swindon is the 4th safest place to live too.[/quote] Thats not true. It has the 4th lowest average burlary rates in the country That alone does not make a town safe.[/quote] I was just quoting what I heard this morning on the news and they definately said safest but it was based on burglary rates yes,
angry monkey wrote:
emmylou83 wrote: According to the news today Swindon is the 4th safest place to live too.
Thats not true. It has the 4th lowest average burlary rates in the country That alone does not make a town safe.
I was just quoting what I heard this morning on the news and they definately said safest but it was based on burglary rates yes,
Posted by: emmylou83, Stratton on 1:32pm Tue 25 Mar 08
adam, do you happen to live in one of the "bad" areas of swindon?
adam, do you happen to live in one of the "bad" areas of swindon?
Posted by: adam, Swindon on 1:35pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]emmylou83[/bold] wrote:
adam, do you happen to live in one of the "bad" areas of swindon?[/quote] No, 3 times on my driveway in Liden, twice in town and once at Cote Water carpark.
emmylou83 wrote:
adam, do you happen to live in one of the "bad" areas of swindon?
No, 3 times on my driveway in Liden, twice in town and once at Cote Water carpark.
Posted by: Al Smith, Swindon, UK on 1:36pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Wait a minute wasn't this article published a few weeks ago?
Wait a minute wasn't this article published a few weeks ago?
Posted by: emmylou83, Stratton on 1:37pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Ok you're obviously just unlucky :o( I don't understand why people do it
Ok you're obviously just unlucky :o( I don't understand why people do it
Posted by: Just A Thought on 2:59pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Unfortunately EmmyLou people do these things for a bit of cash, and because they have no fear of reprisals – even if they get caught (highly unlikely) it’s a slap on the wrist at worst, or an ASBO which can be totally ignored!
This sort of thing is usually carried out by little scumbags on their way to paint some nonsense on a near by wall!
Unfortunately EmmyLou people do these things for a bit of cash, and because they have no fear of reprisals – even if they get caught (highly unlikely) it’s a slap on the wrist at worst, or an ASBO which can be totally ignored!
This sort of thing is usually carried out by little scumbags on their way to paint some nonsense on a near by wall!
Posted by: Big Mac on 3:15pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Why do people engage in car crime?
Simple, because the system has taught them that they can do so without fear of being caught and certainly without fear of meaningful punishment.
There is also a highly distasteful attitude in this country that as long as you think the owner is 'richer' or 'posher' than you, then it's perfectly acceptable to steal or vandalise their property.
Still, we've had a Labour government for over a decade - what else did people expect?
Why do people engage in car crime?
Simple, because the system has taught them that they can do so without fear of being caught and certainly without fear of meaningful punishment.
There is also a highly distasteful attitude in this country that as long as you think the owner is 'richer' or 'posher' than you, then it's perfectly acceptable to steal or vandalise their property.
Still, we've had a Labour government for over a decade - what else did people expect?
Posted by: angry monkey, Swindon on 3:51pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Tony B-Liar told me that "things can only get better" Big Mac.
I'm grateful to Labour for reducing my disposable income by several thousand pounds per year to subsidise thousands sitting on the dole, whilst hardworking poles come over here and do the work this British underclass SHOULD BE COMPLELLED TO DO
Tony B-Liar told me that "things can only get better" Big Mac.
I'm grateful to Labour for reducing my disposable income by several thousand pounds per year to subsidise thousands sitting on the dole, whilst hardworking poles come over here and do the work this British underclass SHOULD BE COMPLELLED TO DO
Posted by: Big Mac on 4:55pm Tue 25 Mar 08
It is ironic.
This country is being forced to import labour from abroad in order to keep our publically funded services afloat and to pay the taxes that fund our own good for nothing breeders to never have a job and have seven kids each.
This is the pinnacle of Labour's policy of the buying of votes from its core supporters.
Utterly disgusting:
[quote]The real North-South divide: Council tax hikes squeeze the South - as Government is accused of subsidising its northern heartlands
25th March 2008
Council tax has risen up to three times faster in the South than in the northern towns of Labour's heartlands, figures show.
In the most tightly squeezed cities and districts - mainly Conservative controlled areas - the tax burden has gone up by more than 150 per cent in a decade.
But the most favoured cities have seen the tax they pay go up by only 50 per cent since the party came to power in 1997.
The breakdown comes from figures disclosed by ministers in parliamentary questions, which show how much money has been collected by different town halls.
Labour has been accused of giving extra subsidies and grants to northern towns and cities, which allow them to keep local taxes down.
Tories, who obtained the information through Westminster questions, said yesterday that Labour has been favouring its own voters.
Shadow Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: "Everyone has faced soaring levels of council tax, with homes across the South and East Anglia being clobbered the most under Gordon Brown.
"The police levy on council tax is going through the roof, but police numbers are being cut. Local services like weekly rubbish collections are slowly being cut, while bills rise year on year. People are paying more and getting less."
[bold]Studies by the consultancy firms Local Government Futures and Oxford Economics showed that each person in the South-East pays the Treasury nearly £2,000 more than they receive back in public spending on services such as schools, hospitals and infrastructure projects.[/bold]
Under the new system of judging what Treasury grants should be paid to local authorities, councils in areas judged poor and needy have been getting much higher amounts.
It was brought in by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
[/quote]
It is ironic.
This country is being forced to import labour from abroad in order to keep our publically funded services afloat and to pay the taxes that fund our own good for nothing breeders to never have a job and have seven kids each.
This is the pinnacle of Labour's policy of the buying of votes from its core supporters.
Utterly disgusting:
The real North-South divide: Council tax hikes squeeze the South - as Government is accused of subsidising its northern heartlands
25th March 2008
Council tax has risen up to three times faster in the South than in the northern towns of Labour's heartlands, figures show.
In the most tightly squeezed cities and districts - mainly Conservative controlled areas - the tax burden has gone up by more than 150 per cent in a decade.
But the most favoured cities have seen the tax they pay go up by only 50 per cent since the party came to power in 1997.
The breakdown comes from figures disclosed by ministers in parliamentary questions, which show how much money has been collected by different town halls.
Labour has been accused of giving extra subsidies and grants to northern towns and cities, which allow them to keep local taxes down.
Tories, who obtained the information through Westminster questions, said yesterday that Labour has been favouring its own voters.
Shadow Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: "Everyone has faced soaring levels of council tax, with homes across the South and East Anglia being clobbered the most under Gordon Brown.
"The police levy on council tax is going through the roof, but police numbers are being cut. Local services like weekly rubbish collections are slowly being cut, while bills rise year on year. People are paying more and getting less."
Studies by the consultancy firms Local Government Futures and Oxford Economics showed that each person in the South-East pays the Treasury nearly £2,000 more than they receive back in public spending on services such as schools, hospitals and infrastructure projects.
Under the new system of judging what Treasury grants should be paid to local authorities, councils in areas judged poor and needy have been getting much higher amounts.
It was brought in by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
Posted by: rach2250, Swindon on 5:59pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I must disagree with some comments on here!
Why do some people seem to be convinced that Britain is "forced to import labour" and that there are no jobs available due to other nationals coming here to work?! There are plenty of jobs here and plenty of work to go around. The Government should concentrate on channelling peoples energy(by turning it into something more positive) & supporting them to get off their benefits by ensuring that working for a living pays more than the State can!
I must also say that
I think classes have nothing to do with crime and vandalism. Geographics and whether you are "posher" doesnt matter! If you leave your sat-nav or similar on display, it probably will disappear...!
Perhaps if out MP's werent claiming so much for their second homes, our public services might benefit more!?
I must disagree with some comments on here!
Why do some people seem to be convinced that Britain is "forced to import labour" and that there are no jobs available due to other nationals coming here to work?! There are plenty of jobs here and plenty of work to go around. The Government should concentrate on channelling peoples energy(by turning it into something more positive) & supporting them to get off their benefits by ensuring that working for a living pays more than the State can!
I must also say that
I think classes have nothing to do with crime and vandalism. Geographics and whether you are "posher" doesnt matter! If you leave your sat-nav or similar on display, it probably will disappear...!
Perhaps if out MP's werent claiming so much for their second homes, our public services might benefit more!?
Posted by: Big Mac on 7:56pm Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote]rach2250 wrote:
The Government should concentrate on channelling peoples energy(by turning it into something more positive) & supporting them to get off their benefits by ensuring that working for a living pays more than the State can!
[/quote]
Hmm, yeah. You haven't quite worked it out yet, have you?
The government pay people not to work (it's called 'benefits') in return for their guaranteed vote at election time.
Who would vote for a party that might means test them or lower their benefits? Nobody.
Who would vote for a party that prevents them having seven children even though they've never paid a penny in tax? Nobody.
Who would vote for a government that might investigate their legitimacy to actually be in this country and threaten to (legally) send them back to whence they came? Nobody.
Who would vote for a government that actually sent them to prison for committing a crime? Nobody.
Labour know their audience and, by God, they're using your money to play to them.
rach2250 wrote:
The Government should concentrate on channelling peoples energy(by turning it into something more positive) & supporting them to get off their benefits by ensuring that working for a living pays more than the State can!
Hmm, yeah. You haven't quite worked it out yet, have you?
The government pay people not to work (it's called 'benefits') in return for their guaranteed vote at election time.
Who would vote for a party that might means test them or lower their benefits? Nobody.
Who would vote for a party that prevents them having seven children even though they've never paid a penny in tax? Nobody.
Who would vote for a government that might investigate their legitimacy to actually be in this country and threaten to (legally) send them back to whence they came? Nobody.
Who would vote for a government that actually sent them to prison for committing a crime? Nobody.
Labour know their audience and, by God, they're using your money to play to them.
Posted by: sashstaff, Swindon on 8:27pm Tue 25 Mar 08
I wonder how many of those behind the 'car crime' would be successful if they applied for a job...
I wonder how many of those behind the 'car crime' would be successful if they applied for a job...
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