Tips to beat menace of vehicle crime

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When he was arrested he said: “I know I’m a d**khead. It was dangerous, sorry.”

Kenton Sargeant, representing Quick, said his client had not been able to watch the police recording of the chase he was so ashamed.

He added: “He accepts his driving was appalling.”

He said Quick was at a low ebb and was driving to a takeaway in a car borrowed from a friend who thought Quick had a full licence when, in fact, he was only a provisional licence holder.

Quick told a probation officer he realised he had been immature and regretted his actions.

He was desperate not to be separated from his girlfriend and young child and also provided considerable support for his mother. He also had a job working for a landscape gardener.

Quick, 20 of Netherton Lane, Netherton, admitted dangerous driving, having no full licence and no insurance and was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months with 15 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Recorder Simon Kealey QC told him the offences were serious and he had come very close to being locked up immediately.

He said it was only his personal mitigation in the report from the probation officer that had persuaded him to pull back from that. FIVE tips to reduce the risk of being a victim of vehicle crime have been issued as statistics revealed West Yorkshire is a car crime hotspot.

The West Yorkshire force is ranked fourth in the hotspot list with 24,275 offences last year, behind the Met Police with 89,900 offences, West Midlands with 29,106 and Greater Manchester 24,298.

Each offence was classified as “theft from or of a vehicle or interference with a vehicle”.

According to the Office of National Statistics, 43% of all vehicle-related theft occurs because drivers do not adequately lock their doors.

Number plate firm Click4Reg has issued tips for drivers.

Make every effort to close all windows and fully lock the vehicle when leaving

Remove all valuable possessions out of plain sight when not in the vehicle, especially money, wallets, purses and electronic items (including radio).

Always aim to park your vehicle in a well-lit area, as sufficient lighting will more than likely deter criminals

If you’re making journeys to unfamiliar locations and sites, plan ahead to avoid driving through, and parking in any high crime areas

A car alarm or steering wheel lock will add extra security

Ben Leonard, of Click4Reg, said: “Vehicle crime is more prevalent than anyone would suspect.”