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| Hampshire Constabulary |
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As the tourist season begins to get into full swing, Hampshire police and the Forestry Commission are working in partnership to reduce car crime at tourist locations and beauty spots.
At this time of year the New Forest sees an increase in visitors, this in turn increases the likelihood of vehicle crime being committed in car parks within the forest.
Through funding from the New Forest Community Safety Partnership, 2,000 rucksacks have been purchased to enable motorists to remove valuables from their vehicle when leaving it unattended.
The rucksacks will be handed out to motorists in Forestry Commission car parks at a number of locations across the New Forest National Park.
Safer Neighbourhoods officers will be conducting high visibility patrols of these areas, offering crime prevention advice to motorists as well as distributing the rucksacks between Monday, July 9 and Saturday, July 21.
Forestry Commission rangers will also carry a supply of the rucksacks which will be distributed to motorists during and after this period.
In addition Trap cars will be operating in the New Forest area. These look like any other vehicle but they are monitored by surveillance equipment, which is activated if the vehicle is broken into.
Ron Smith, New Forest District Crime Prevention Officer said: “Every day in car parks and residential areas around Hampshire, cars which have valuable items on display are broken into by opportunist thieves and property is stolen. Often it is handbags and wallets that are targeted but anything of value, cameras, MP3s, satellite navigation equipment, sunglasses, even clothing, may be taken.
“The only certain way of protecting your property is to carry it with you.
“Enjoy the New Forest and have fun, but please remember to remove all items from your car, lock it and set the alarm before leaving it unattended.”
Anyone with information about vehicle crime should contact police on 0845 045 45 45, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If a crime is in the process of being committed please dial 999.
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