73101-66OUR campaign to beat smash- and-grab car crooks swings into action today. Dozens of hard-hitting Keep Your Car Clear posters will be going up in car parks across town.

The posters show a thief snatching a handbag from a car, and warns motorists that car crime is rising in the area.

Swindon Council car park wardens will be putting them up across town.

Nick Garrett, performance manager in the council's parking department, put up the first poster.

"It definitely gets the message across," he said.

"Our parking attendants are very vigilant, and in fact we have an extremely low level of vehicle crime in our car parks.

"During August, there were five incidents of vehicle crime, which is good considering we have 8,000 spaces. However, that does not mean you should ignore the issue, shoppers must be vigilant.

Town centre manager Bernie McGuire wants shops to display the poster.

He has highlighted the campaign in a leaflet he has written on Christmas shopping in Swindon.

He said: "Christmas shopping is an important time of the year for most families.

"Motorists should take this campaign seriously because we don't want anyone who has saved up all year to buy presents to lose them to a thief.

"Having said that, we do not want to scare people.

"Swindon is safe place to come and shop.

"What we want to do is remove temptation by keeping valuables out of sight.

"I would like to see shop staff help by putting the posters up on entrances and exits."

Bernie's team work hard to catch thieves, whether car crooks or shoplifters.

They use an integrated radio system to share information between parking wardens and store detectives.

Figures on thefts from council car parks are far from astronomical.

But police point out that overall car crime in the borough is rising, and they are keen to keep a lid on the problem.

As our poster makes clear, between April and September, 1,034 motorists in Swindon were victims of car crime. That is a seven per cent rise on the same period last year.

Police say that most of those carrying out the offences are drug addicts seeking cash to feed their habits.

Shop managers can get posters by contacting reporter Tamash Lal at tlal@newswilts.co.uk

Take action

Try to park in a busy, well-lit place, preferably beneath a light.

Never leave valuables in view most insurance companies will not cover replacement costs for the loss of personal effects.

Where possible, close the cover on your stereo or take it with you when leaving the vehicle.

Never leave handbags, laptop cases or briefcases in sight even if empty.

It sounds obvious, but police are stunned by the number of motorists who ignore the most basic precaution always lock doors and shut windows.

When loading valuables into the boot of a car that will be left unattended, look around is anyone watching?

Fit a car alarm.

Never leave coats in your car thieves will break in to see if there is a wallet in the pocket.

OUR campaign to beat smash- and-grab car crooks swings into action today. Dozens of hard-hitting Keep Your Car Clear posters will be going up in car parks across town.

The posters show a thief snatching a handbag from a car, and warns motorists that car crime is rising in the area.

Swindon Council car park wardens will be putting them up across town.

Nick Garrett, performance manager in the council's parking department, put up the first poster.

"It definitely gets the message across," he said.

"Our parking attendants are very vigilant, and in fact we have an extremely low level of vehicle crime in our car parks.

"During August, there were five incidents of vehicle crime, which is good considering we have 8,000 spaces. However, that does not mean you should ignore the issue, shoppers must be vigilant.

Town centre manager Bernie McGuire wants shops to display the poster.

He has highlighted the campaign in a leaflet he has written on Christmas shopping in Swindon.

He said: "Christmas shopping is an important time of the year for most families.

"Motorists should take this campaign seriously because we don't want anyone who has saved up all year to buy presents to lose them to a thief.

"Having said that, we do not want to scare people.

"Swindon is safe place to come and shop.

"What we want to do is remove temptation by keeping valuables out of sight.

"I would like to see shop staff help by putting the posters up on entrances and exits."

Bernie's team work hard to catch thieves, whether car crooks or shoplifters.

They use an integrated radio system to share information between parking wardens and store detectives.

Figures on thefts from council car parks are far from astronomical.

But police point out that overall car crime in the borough is rising, and they are keen to keep a lid on the problem.

As our poster makes clear, between April and September, 1,034 motorists in Swindon were victims of car crime. That is a seven per cent rise on the same period last year.

Police say that most of those carrying out the offences are drug addicts seeking cash to feed their habits.

Shop managers can get posters by contacting reporter Tamash Lal at tlal@newswilts.co.uk

Take action

Try to park in a busy, well-lit place, preferably beneath a light.

Never leave valuables in view most insurance companies will not cover replacement costs for the loss of personal effects.

Where possible, close the cover on your stereo or take it with you when leaving the vehicle.

Never leave handbags, laptop cases or briefcases in sight even if empty.

It sounds obvious, but police are stunned by the number of motorists who ignore the most basic precaution always lock doors and shut windows.

When loading valuables into the boot of a car that will be left unattended, look around is anyone watching?

Tamash Lal