Residents in Colne and surrounding villages are being urged to stay on their guard after a spate of auto crime in the area.
The stark warning has been issued by Sgt Shaun Pearson, from Pendle Police, after 17 incidents of vehicle crime were reported in August – in comparison to seven in 2012.
There has also already been a “noticeable increase” to the number of vehicle incidents reported this month.
Sgt Pearson said that there are either one or several individuals “who are currently active and committed to auto crime”, and added that police are continuing their drive to “target active criminals”. He added that patrols are being carried out in hotspot areas of Colne, both by uniform patrols and plain clothed officers.
He said: “We want to disrupt their lifestyles, rather than them disrupting others.”
As well as theft of articles from a vehicle, vehicle crime also includes theft of number plates, theft of wheel trims/car parts and theft of the vehicle.
To prevent becoming a victim of such crimes, Sgt Pearson advises locking a vehicle, double checking that it is locked, and ensuring that no valuables are on display.
He said: “Leaving something on display in your car is an advertisement – there is something in this car that is small, but also of value. Sat Navs sell, mobile phones sell, glasses sell.”
Backing the police warning is Coun. Joe Cooney, who said: “I welcome the advise by the police that all drivers need to be vigilant on what they leave on display.”
Car crimes reported in the past week include:
• Two male offenders approaching a locked and secure motorbike on Doughty Street at 3-30am on Saturday. They moved the vehicle to the bottom of Duke Street, tampered with the ignition and fled after activating a security light.
• A 56 registered Range Rover being broken into in Skipton Old Road overnight between Friday and Saturday. A £100 pair of Oakley sunglasses and an 8GB, black iPod valued at £120 were stolen.
Call police on 101.