Keep cars safe from thieves

Police are warning Kapiti car owners to keep tabs on their vehicles, as thieves zero in on Subarus and Mazda Demios.

“Certain vehicles appear to be more attractive to thieves than others and there is something you as owners can do about this, especially owners of Mazda Demio vehicles and Subaru cars,” said community engagement supervisor Sergeant Yvette McKelvie.

“While police do patrol regularly, we encourage owners to keep vehicles safe, by taking some very basic precautionary measures.

“There are ways to do this without it costing too much.

“Whether the cars are being targeted for people to steal items from them, or worse, steal the entire car, here are some ideas for making sure this is less likely to happen.”

Motorists using nonmonitored car parks or even parking outside their houses on dark streets are urged to take valuables with them when leaving their vehicles.

“It’s vitally important to make sure technology is not left attached to windscreens. Leaving these valuables in plain sight presents opportunities for thieves.

“At least lock your vehicle — and to make it even safer, you could get a steering lock, car alarm or vehicle immobiliser installed.

“Not only are offenders

Certain vehicles appear to be more attractive to thieves than others. Sergeant Yvette McKelvie

stealing items from the cars, sometimes they are breaking in to steal your whole car. Offenders will often target a number of cars in close proximity, which causes a spike in car crime in those areas.”

Often when vehicles are stolen they are used to commit further offences such as burglaries and aggravated robberies, McKelvie said.

“If we catch these offenders we can actively reduce the impact this has on people who are victims of not just the car thefts, but potentially other serious crimes.

“We are proactively targeting those offenders who are committing these crimes and will hold them accountable for their actions, while minimising their ability to reoffend, but the public need to take measures to protect themselves too.”

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have information about car thefts.