Police warn vehicle owners as car crimes rise in Sharjah

sharjah — The Sharjah Police have confirmed an increase in the number of complaints about theft from cars during the last four months.

According to a police officer, Al Buhairah Police Station received many complaints from motorists who lost their valuables from cars parked in Al Buhaira Corncihe, Al Majaz and Al Nadah areas. The police attributed the rise in such thefts to the negligence of motorists.

Despite continuous warnings from the police, vehicle owners continue to leave valuables and cash inside the cars, which attracts thieves to break the car open and steal valuable things. Most of the stolen items include cash, laptops, smartphones, watches, gold jewelleries, wallets containing credit cards and other items.

Vehicle owners sometimes leave their cars unlocked near supermarkets, bakeries, houses, public facilities or isolated areas unattended. Such negligence would provide more opportunity to thieves, said the officer.

The officer said the gangs mainly target cars parked in Isolated, sandy and dark areas and carry out their crimes during early hours.

Modus operandi

The thieves usually break the triangular glass on the car window to open the doors of the car, said the officer, adding that they search the car for whatever valuables are left by the owner.

The officer said they have received more than 20 complaints from cars owners, either about losing valuables from parked cars or thieves damaging their cars.

The police have intensified patrols in residential and commercial areas of the city, resulting in arrest of many gangs who targeted parked vehicles.

Awareness campaign

Brig Saif Al Zeri Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of the Sharjah Police, said that the police are making great efforts to spreading public awareness through various types of traditional and social media.

The latest campaign launched on September 18 is aimed at educating the motorists and car owners to avoid leaving their cars with the engine on and to follow precautionary measures to prevent thefts. It will continue to providing advice and instruction to the public on methods to protect the valuables in their vehicles from theft.

He urged the public to contribute in enhancing the sense of security among members of the community by calling, 999, 901 or toll-free number Najeed 800151 to report any crimes or any kind of abnormal or suspicious behaviour.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com