Having your car broken into and losing your things to thieves can be very distressing. Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your vehicle, and what’s in it, safe.
1. Always lock it
Fuelling up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured. So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment.
If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.
2. Close windows and the sun roof to prevent ‘fishing’
Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.
3. Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws
The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.
4. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels
Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.
5. Secure anything that’s on the outside of your vehicle
Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.
For further information and advice, visit Sold Secure.
6. Take it with you or hide it
Your mobile phone, coins for the car park, sunglasses, packs of medication or other items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief. Remember, the cost of replacing a window is often much more than that of what’s stolen. And it should go without saying that wallets, handbags, purses and credit cards should never be left in an unattended vehicle.
7. Hide electrical items and leave no clues
Leaving sat nav mounts, suction cup marks on windows or cables on view gives it away that you have left a Sat Nav, smartphone or other device in your car. Even if they can’t see the Sat Nav or iPad they might still break in to see if it’s stored in the car, out of sight.
8. Tool theft from vans
Vans are often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, it’s a good idea to mark them clearly with your name / company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray. Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.
Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools – a number of security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to record inside vehicles. Visit Secured by Design for more details.
You can also take photographs of items of value, make a note of the serial numbers and consider registering them online at a property register site.
9. Park in well-lit and busier areas
It can take less than 30 seconds to break into a vehicle. Parking in well-lit areas and busy streets increases the chances of a thief being seen, so they’ll probably steer clear.
10. Take your documents with you
Having a vehicle’s registration and insurance documents could let a thief pretend to be the owner. Which means they could sell it on quite easily. So, never leave any documents in the vehicle.
11. Choose your car park wisely
If possible, always try to park in well-lit and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award. To find one, simply check out Park Mark.
Catalytic converter theft
The precious metal in catalytic converters has led to an increase in their theft. Find out what catalytic converter theft is and what you can do about it.
Enjoy Staffordshire is encouraging Staffordshire residents to have a hair-raising half-term this October, with an array of great family days out taking place across the county.
Boscobel House in South Staffordshire is home to Beano characters and costumed story-tellers for Halloween half-term.
There are thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes at Staffordshire pumpkin patches including Lower Drayton Farm near Penkridge, and Canalside Farm and Amerton Farm near Stafford.
Weston Park’s 1,000 acres of parkland encompass a history dating back to the medieval period and an important Capability Brown commission, in addition to playing host to impressive biodiversity.
Join Head Gardener Martin Gee and the attraction’s knowledgeable team to discover more of the exceptional landscape at this seasonal park walk.
Discover the park’s seasonal beauty and see areas of the park that are not normally seen by visitors, such as the Medieval layers of the park’s history and the surviving moat which is now home to invertebrates.
The walk takes place this Sunday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Have your say:
South Staffordshire Residents’ Survey now out
Make your voice heard – take part in our newly released Residents’ Survey.
The survey is a chance for everyone living in South Staffordshire to let us know their views on where they live, and the district as a whole.
Have your say by completing the survey via this link
Community Safety newsletter
In this edition meet the new Police Commander, as he introduces himself, outlines his priorities, and takes a look at the crime figures.
Halloween is fast approaching – this newsletter includes some contact numbers, should you feel worried about callers or fireworks over the last week in October.
It also discusses scams currently operating and how to minimise the risk of keyless vehicle theft.
Bird flu: Prevention Zone declared across Great Britian
Following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds and on commercial premises, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has been implemented across Great Britain.
This is to help mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds.
It is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian flu.
Around 70 delegates attended South Staffordshire Council’s Parish Summit event this week.
The event, which took place on Thursday, focused on financial resilience for our communities.
Attendees heard presentations from all three tiers of local government and had the chance to speak to partner organisations and groups.
Public sector awards body iESE also attended to give a presentation on cyber security and ever-growing threat it presents.
South Staffordshire Council leader, Cllr Roger Lees, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who attended and took part in the Parish Summit event.
“It was a hugely successful event and a useful, thought-provoking experience for all attendees.
“We look forward to scheduling a further Parish Summit event in the new year, which will focus on community wellbeing.”
Recycle Week
It’s Recycle Week – and South Staffordshire Council has been sharing valuable recycling information through our social media platforms in the hope we can add value to our recycling commitment.
This year we are focusing on three key questions:
Does my recycling really make a difference?
One item in the bin can’t hurt, can it?
Recycling is so confusing, Isn’t it?
By us all getting our recycling right we can make a difference.
Recycling doesn’t have to be confusing – that’s what the Recycling Locator is for! Just pop in your postcode to find out what you can recycle.
We are also answering your questions – keep an eye out on our Facebook page for answers.
Make a difference: Be a Councillor
We hosted a Be a Councillor event for anyone looking to stand in next year’s election.
A range of people attended the evening, held in association with the Local Government Association.
Senior Caretaker – closing midnight on October 30th
Relief Leisure Assistants at Codsall, Wombourne, Penkridge & Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centres – open application date.
Biffa Class 2 Driver, Municipal Waste Collection – open application date.
Swimming Instructors, all leisure centres – open application date.
For more information on all South Staffordshire Council vacancies and for details on how to apply, click here
Leisure latest
The Goodlife Winter Saver
From November 1st to 30th, South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres are giving customers the chance to join for just £10, with no further payments until January 2023.
Customers can sign up to any of the membership packages and enjoy unlimited use for two months, for just £10.
Thursday, November 3rd, marks one year of Wellbeing walks at Baggeridge Country Park.
In celebration we are inviting walkers to come along, enjoy a walk around the park from 10-11am, followed by complimentary tea, coffee and cakes after the walk at Baggeridge Tea Room
Partnership updates
Flu vaccination: who should have it this winter and why
Flu can affect anyone but if you have a long-term health condition the effects of fu can make it worse even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well.
Anyone with a health condition should consider having the vaccination, plus a range of others, including those aged 65 or over, those living in residential or nursing homes, those who are pregnant, and children of a certain age.
There are small things we can all do to help be kind to our mind and these can make a big difference to how we feel.
That’s why a new Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign is being launched, helping us find those little things we can all do to look after our mental health and showing us how they can add up to make a big difference; helping us to lead happier, healthier lives and cope with life’s challenges.
At its heart is the free, NHS-approved Mind Plan, available on the website. By answering five short questions people get a personalised mental health action plan, providing practical tips to help them deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control.
£2,000 in government funding available to help with childcare costs
Families could save up to £2,000 a year towards their childcare costs to help pay for October half-term holiday clubs and wraparound care during the school terms.
Families can sign up to Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other approved childcare schemes. It is available to families with children up to the age of 11, or 17 if their child has a disability.
The government will pay 20% of childcare costs by topping up the money paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account. This means for every £8 paid into the online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 in government top-up.
The Community Recovery Grants scheme is now open for applications from groups who work with and support communities in Staffordshire from a new County Council fund.
Staffordshire County Council is keen to support the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Staffordshire by providing a range of one-off grants to help them recover following the pandemic and with the challenges of the rising cost of living. The funding will help organisations adapt to new ways of working, sustain existing activities and support residents with cost of living pressures. Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available.
The County Council is working with the Community Foundation for Staffordshire who are managing grant applications and distribution. Grants will be awarded throughout October, November and December 2022 on a first come first served basis. All grants will be fully distributed by December 2022 and recipients will need to spend the award by 31st March 2023.
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