Motorists put on alert after theft spree
STEFAN JAJECZNYK
MOTORISTS are being put on alert after a spate of thefts from cars in Accrington town centre.
More than 20 incidents have been reported in the Cannon Street, Dutton Street and Argyle Street areas over the last two months with offenders using stones to smash vehicle windows.
Hyndburn Central Policing Team said they will be increasing patrols in the town centre and have urged drivers to ’not make yourself an easy target’.
PC Graham Hartley, community beat manager, said: “A number of cars and vans have been targeted to steal satellite navigation systems, cash, handbags, gym bags containing sports clothing, ear phones, dash cams, tools and mobile phones.
“Following the increase in crime, officers are to be more visible in the area in an attempt to crack down on the criminal activity.
“Don’t make yourself an easy victim of this crime. Never leave items on display and don’t leave spare keys or sat navs in your vehicle, even in the glove box.
“It only takes seconds to steal from a vehicle.
“Many of these crimes are from unlocked cars so please make sure your vehicle is locked and secure.”
Coun Tony Dobson, leader of the Conservative group on Hyndburn council, said he has also fallen foul of thieves who targeted his car on Cannon Street.
He said: “My briefcase was stolen from my car on Cannon Street about two weeks ago.
“We had another one on Monday or Tuesday where someone had put a brick through a car window and stole everything on the passenger seat.
“The frightening thing is that these are all happening in broad daylight - mine was done any time between 12.45 and 1.45.
“It’s frightening, the audacity of this crew.”
Coun Dobson said he thought that harsher punishments for anyone convicted of these kinds of offences could be used to reassure the public.
He added: “The system doesn’t seem to be working - we need to be locking them up for longer, to give the community a chance to recover.
“I’m sure if these guys are found, they’ve recently come out of prison and are feeding some kind of drug addiction.”
If you have information call police on 101.
A 28-YEAR-OLD man from Accrington has been arrested in connection with six of the incidents and will be summonsed to appear at court in the next few weeks.