Police urge residents to be vigilant following car theft spree

2:04pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News By Simon Farr

Police tell residents to be vigilant following car theft spree Police tell residents to be vigilant following car theft spree

WYCOMBE’S top policeman has urged residents to be vigilant following a spate of burglaries in which cars and car keys have been stolen.

Thieves broke into properties in Springfield Road in Stokenchurch, Brunel Road in Downley, Rose Avenue in Hazlemere, Pound Lane in Marlow and Redman Road in Booker on Boxing Day and December 27.

Police said they entered through unlocked doors and pinched keys to cars, which were subsequently stolen from the driveway – the 12th such theft in the district since December 5.

Superintendent Gilbert Houalla is pleading with residents to lock their doors and windows, and ensure keys are kept hidden from view.

He said: “I cannot stress how important it is to make sure that you have double locked your front door, even when you are in the house, or go to bed at night, and hidden your car keys.

“These burglars are targeting expensive cars, most of which cannot be stolen without keys.

“We will investigate every crime to make sure that we arrest, convict and lock up any criminals but I would rather make sure that the crimes didn’t happen in the first place, so please don’t make it easy for them.”

Below are some crime prevention tips issued by Thames Valley Police to help keep your property secure:

1. Double lock your front door with a key, even when you are in the house. It is not sufficient to simply lift the handle.

2. Never leave your keys; - in locks.

- on a window ledge.

- on the kitchen table.

- on a hook behind the door.

3. Keep your keys safe and away from the front door, but easily accessible in case of a fire, and make sure your keys are always in the same place at night-time.

Contact police via the 101 enquiry line or if you do not want to talk to the police, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Comments (19)

4:25pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Emma179 says...

The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?
The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire? Emma179

9:00pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Stand up for England says...

I'd bet these are not first time offenders. Deal with the thieving, low-life, warts on the a*s# of society, vermin properly when they get caught the first time !!! .... yes Mr Magistrate; I'm talking to YOU.
I'd bet these are not first time offenders. Deal with the thieving, low-life, warts on the a*s# of society, vermin properly when they get caught the first time !!! .... yes Mr Magistrate; I'm talking to YOU. Stand up for England

12:18am Fri 4 Jan 13

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

Important things first - why has the BFP stopped calling Houalla the Glaring Detective: ‘Wycombe’s top cop’ and instead opened this report with the much-less cool and hip-sounding: ‘Wycombe’s top policeman’?
Important things first - why has the BFP stopped calling Houalla the Glaring Detective: ‘Wycombe’s top cop’ and instead opened this report with the much-less cool and hip-sounding: ‘Wycombe’s top policeman’? ImpeturbableLawrence

12:19am Fri 4 Jan 13

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

Emma179 wrote:
The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?
If there's a fire there you'll probably make a new door with your bare hands.
[quote][p][bold]Emma179[/bold] wrote: The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?[/p][/quote]If there's a fire there you'll probably make a new door with your bare hands. ImpeturbableLawrence

12:38am Fri 4 Jan 13

J B Blackett says...

When opportunity knocks, one finds that another door will open.
.
But is the right one ?. That's the burning question.
When opportunity knocks, one finds that another door will open. . But is the right one ?. That's the burning question. J B Blackett

12:08pm Fri 4 Jan 13

miccles says...

Emma179 wrote:
The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?
By unlocking the door again, always have your keys in a sensible place, at hand.
[quote][p][bold]Emma179[/bold] wrote: The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?[/p][/quote]By unlocking the door again, always have your keys in a sensible place, at hand. miccles

5:10pm Fri 4 Jan 13

Flackwell says...

We will investigate every crime to make sure that we arrest, convict and lock up any criminals

Really ?

thought they just logged the stastics and then got back to yellow lines and camera duties
We will investigate every crime to make sure that we arrest, convict and lock up any criminals Really ? thought they just logged the stastics and then got back to yellow lines and camera duties Flackwell

6:54pm Fri 4 Jan 13

realist_highwycombe says...

Alas no Flackwell as the police do not enforce parking regulations and indeed do not have the power to do it unless the vehicle is causing an obstruction.

And the "camera duties" you refer to is operated by the Safer Roads Partnership - aka Civilians NOT Police Officers.

Before having a pop, at least make sure your facts are right...........

Take a look at many past BFP news stories on many Burglars, Robbers and Rapists being arrested, charged and now serving time in prison rather than just slating them.
Alas no Flackwell as the police do not enforce parking regulations and indeed do not have the power to do it unless the vehicle is causing an obstruction. And the "camera duties" you refer to is operated by the Safer Roads Partnership - aka Civilians NOT Police Officers. Before having a pop, at least make sure your facts are right........... Take a look at many past BFP news stories on many Burglars, Robbers and Rapists being arrested, charged and now serving time in prison rather than just slating them. realist_highwycombe

1:14am Sun 6 Jan 13

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

realist_highwycombe wrote:
Alas no Flackwell as the police do not enforce parking regulations and indeed do not have the power to do it unless the vehicle is causing an obstruction.

And the "camera duties" you refer to is operated by the Safer Roads Partnership - aka Civilians NOT Police Officers.

Before having a pop, at least make sure your facts are right...........

Take a look at many past BFP news stories on many Burglars, Robbers and Rapists being arrested, charged and now serving time in prison rather than just slating them.
Realist is right.
[quote][p][bold]realist_highwycombe[/bold] wrote: Alas no Flackwell as the police do not enforce parking regulations and indeed do not have the power to do it unless the vehicle is causing an obstruction. And the "camera duties" you refer to is operated by the Safer Roads Partnership - aka Civilians NOT Police Officers. Before having a pop, at least make sure your facts are right........... Take a look at many past BFP news stories on many Burglars, Robbers and Rapists being arrested, charged and now serving time in prison rather than just slating them.[/p][/quote]Realist is right. ImpeturbableLawrence

1:15am Sun 6 Jan 13

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

(Though the police have been lamentably slow off the mark in dealing with hooligan harassment in the outer areas - like having playground gangs and no teacher.)
(Though the police have been lamentably slow off the mark in dealing with hooligan harassment in the outer areas - like having playground gangs and no teacher.) ImpeturbableLawrence

1:16am Sun 6 Jan 13

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

I wonder what will happen at Gunthorpe Road, Marlow, when the dispersal order from last summer expires.
I wonder what will happen at Gunthorpe Road, Marlow, when the dispersal order from last summer expires. ImpeturbableLawrence

1:19am Sun 6 Jan 13

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

I wonder what will happen at Gunthorpe Road, Marlow, when the dispersal order from last summer expires.
I wonder what will happen at Gunthorpe Road, Marlow, when the dispersal order from last summer expires. ImpeturbableLawrence

7:59am Sun 6 Jan 13

buftonp13 says...

Emma179 wrote:
The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?
Fine leave your door unlocked, this is England in the 21st century. Why would anyone leave their door unlocked (unless there to fat to jump out of a window) especilly if you have a nice car on the drive, pure stupidity and typical of the posh and rich, no street sense. No wonder car insurance is ever increasing. But not nice especilly over the christmas period. Those cars i expect in 95% of cases are stolen by eastern european gangs and are on their way to the ferry befoe the owners even know.
And with regards to Wycombes top cop, lol i didnt no there was such a thing, all they seem to do is drive around looking to fine good honest hard working motorists. Not that ive ever been done but i do wonder what goes on in that police station some times as they've never got back any stuff back that ive had stolen.

.
[quote][p][bold]Emma179[/bold] wrote: The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?[/p][/quote]Fine leave your door unlocked, this is England in the 21st century. Why would anyone leave their door unlocked (unless there to fat to jump out of a window) especilly if you have a nice car on the drive, pure stupidity and typical of the posh and rich, no street sense. No wonder car insurance is ever increasing. But not nice especilly over the christmas period. Those cars i expect in 95% of cases are stolen by eastern european gangs and are on their way to the ferry befoe the owners even know. And with regards to Wycombes top cop, lol i didnt no there was such a thing, all they seem to do is drive around looking to fine good honest hard working motorists. Not that ive ever been done but i do wonder what goes on in that police station some times as they've never got back any stuff back that ive had stolen. . buftonp13

8:00pm Sun 6 Jan 13

Emma179 says...

I never said leave it unlocked! Having done a fire course, I know it would be virtually impossible finding a set of keys in a fire. A deadlock is a much more sensible option.
I never said leave it unlocked! Having done a fire course, I know it would be virtually impossible finding a set of keys in a fire. A deadlock is a much more sensible option. Emma179

8:35pm Sun 6 Jan 13

Emma179 says...

Emma179 wrote:
I never said leave it unlocked! Having done a fire course, I know it would be virtually impossible finding a set of keys in a fire. A deadlock is a much more sensible option.
*night latch not deadlock :)
[quote][p][bold]Emma179[/bold] wrote: I never said leave it unlocked! Having done a fire course, I know it would be virtually impossible finding a set of keys in a fire. A deadlock is a much more sensible option.[/p][/quote]*night latch not deadlock :) Emma179

11:06pm Mon 7 Jan 13

Drew70 says...

buftonp13 wrote:
Emma179 wrote:
The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?
Fine leave your door unlocked, this is England in the 21st century. Why would anyone leave their door unlocked (unless there to fat to jump out of a window) especilly if you have a nice car on the drive, pure stupidity and typical of the posh and rich, no street sense. No wonder car insurance is ever increasing. But not nice especilly over the christmas period. Those cars i expect in 95% of cases are stolen by eastern european gangs and are on their way to the ferry befoe the owners even know.
And with regards to Wycombes top cop, lol i didnt no there was such a thing, all they seem to do is drive around looking to fine good honest hard working motorists. Not that ive ever been done but i do wonder what goes on in that police station some times as they've never got back any stuff back that ive had stolen.

.
The problem with getting stuff back to you that you've had stolen, is the difficulty of proving who it belongs to, please everyone, keep a note of serial numbers and pictures of jewellery etc to prove its yours, even better, get hold of a UV marker pen and mark your property with house number and postcode. Just look at the auction sites where police send stuff such as bikes to be got rid of after a set amount of time because ownership can't be proven, you'll be amazed at how much stuff IS recovered but owners can't be traced!
Emma, my door keys hang in the same place, inside a cupboard on the door, my door is locked, but I know instinctively, in the dark, where they are, if my hand is over the top corner of the door, the keys will be in the palm of my hand.
[quote][p][bold]buftonp13[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Emma179[/bold] wrote: The problem with locking your doors with a key is how do you get out in a fire?[/p][/quote]Fine leave your door unlocked, this is England in the 21st century. Why would anyone leave their door unlocked (unless there to fat to jump out of a window) especilly if you have a nice car on the drive, pure stupidity and typical of the posh and rich, no street sense. No wonder car insurance is ever increasing. But not nice especilly over the christmas period. Those cars i expect in 95% of cases are stolen by eastern european gangs and are on their way to the ferry befoe the owners even know. And with regards to Wycombes top cop, lol i didnt no there was such a thing, all they seem to do is drive around looking to fine good honest hard working motorists. Not that ive ever been done but i do wonder what goes on in that police station some times as they've never got back any stuff back that ive had stolen. .[/p][/quote]The problem with getting stuff back to you that you've had stolen, is the difficulty of proving who it belongs to, please everyone, keep a note of serial numbers and pictures of jewellery etc to prove its yours, even better, get hold of a UV marker pen and mark your property with house number and postcode. Just look at the auction sites where police send stuff such as bikes to be got rid of after a set amount of time because ownership can't be proven, you'll be amazed at how much stuff IS recovered but owners can't be traced! Emma, my door keys hang in the same place, inside a cupboard on the door, my door is locked, but I know instinctively, in the dark, where they are, if my hand is over the top corner of the door, the keys will be in the palm of my hand. Drew70

6:32pm Tue 8 Jan 13

DonRockell says...

We will investigate every crime to make sure that we arrest, convict and lock up any criminals

They are being hopeful because they haven't managed to catch any criminals around our way even when we give then CCTV footage of them on the job.
We will investigate every crime to make sure that we arrest, convict and lock up any criminals They are being hopeful because they haven't managed to catch any criminals around our way even when we give then CCTV footage of them on the job. DonRockell

8:35pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Bookermum says...

Emma179 wrote:
Emma179 wrote:
I never said leave it unlocked! Having done a fire course, I know it would be virtually impossible finding a set of keys in a fire. A deadlock is a much more sensible option.
*night latch not deadlock :)
Had one of these ... Our 3 year old kept opening it & leaving the house ... Have had to go back to a key!! :(
[quote][p][bold]Emma179[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Emma179[/bold] wrote: I never said leave it unlocked! Having done a fire course, I know it would be virtually impossible finding a set of keys in a fire. A deadlock is a much more sensible option.[/p][/quote]*night latch not deadlock :)[/p][/quote]Had one of these ... Our 3 year old kept opening it & leaving the house ... Have had to go back to a key!! :( Bookermum

12:13am Wed 9 Jan 13

Lawrence Linehan says...

DonRockell wrote:
We will investigate every crime to make sure that we arrest, convict and lock up any criminals

They are being hopeful because they haven't managed to catch any criminals around our way even when we give then CCTV footage of them on the job.
I think I know the problem with your CCTV - they appear to be a bit more professional these days but when we had a problem with yobs round our way some years ago they would blank me and my neighbours and said they were unable to identify the kids so I took photos of the troublemakers - and the (entirely female at that time) local PCSOs and PC Faherty their female boss then said they could not identify them from the photos, which they kept. I was also told weeks later by PC Faherty on the phone to stop taking photos as it was ‘counter-productiv
e’– I accepted this and then asked what I should do with the photos I alreadyhad and she simply repeated five times what she had just said while I asked her five times what I should do with the photos I already had.


I kept a record of all this with URN numbers and I am still angry about this and the tacit encouragement I believe they gave to kids they should have been controlling and the fact that this was not the end of the matter. I have noticed the girl officers (they are hardly responsible or professional women) enjoy strutting around but have not got the nerve - alone or accompanied to confront groups of yobs – which I would have thought was part of their job – only people who are on the receiving end of harassment.

At least one of the girls involved in this has been promoted since - 'counter-productive' obviously means that it causes effort for the police – that’s most likely the problem with your CCTV photos – they are ‘counter-productiv
e’.
[quote][p][bold]DonRockell[/bold] wrote: We will investigate every crime to make sure that we arrest, convict and lock up any criminals They are being hopeful because they haven't managed to catch any criminals around our way even when we give then CCTV footage of them on the job.[/p][/quote]I think I know the problem with your CCTV - they appear to be a bit more professional these days but when we had a problem with yobs round our way some years ago they would blank me and my neighbours and said they were unable to identify the kids so I took photos of the troublemakers - and the (entirely female at that time) local PCSOs and PC Faherty their female boss then said they could not identify them from the photos, which they kept. I was also told weeks later by PC Faherty on the phone to stop taking photos as it was ‘counter-productiv e’– I accepted this and then asked what I should do with the photos I [italic]already[/italic]had and she simply repeated five times what she had just said while I asked her five times what I should do with the photos I [italic]already [/italic]had. I kept a record of all this with URN numbers and I am still angry about this and the tacit encouragement I believe they gave to kids they should have been controlling and the fact that this was not the end of the matter. I have noticed the girl officers (they are hardly responsible or professional women) enjoy strutting around but have not got the nerve - alone or accompanied to confront groups of yobs – which I would have thought was part of their job – only people who are on the receiving end of harassment. At least one of the girls involved in this has been promoted since - 'counter-productive' obviously means that it causes effort for the police – that’s most likely the problem with your CCTV photos – they are ‘counter-productiv e’. Lawrence Linehan

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