Theft warning - four satellite navigation systems stolen

Date published: 19/12/2005

Police in Rochdale are warning car owners not to leave satellite navigation systems on display in their cars, following four thefts in six days.

On Saturday 10 December at some time between 2pm and 2.30pm a removable satellite navigation system was stolen from a Renault car on Spotland Road in Falinge. The offender smashed the driver's window and grabbed the equipment from the windscreen.

Satellite navigation systems have also been stolen from:

• Nissan parked on Whitehall Street on 9 December between 2.20pm and 3.20pm
• Vauxhall Astra parked on Rupert Street between 6pm on 10 December and 3.45pm on 11 December
• ERF lorry parked on Spotland Road between 8.30am and 9am on 15 December

Police are advising motorists who use the removable-style satellite navigation systems to make sure they do remove them every time they leave their vehicle.

Brian FARR Crime Reduction Advisor for Rochdale said:

"I would warn people not to leave the system in the glove box or under a car seat but to take it out of the car all together.

In conjunction with Halfords on Richard Street we are distributing 'Don't Bother' kits with every sat nav system they sell. The kits contain a card with crime prevention advice on one side and a warning message stating there is nothing of value in the car on the other side. This can be left on display to show potential thieves there is nothing worth breaking into the car to steal."

"This is a simple crime prevention message to encourage people to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime. The satellite navigation systems are designed to be convenient to take out of the car when it is left unattended. Motorists should remove all signs of the system every time they park."

The kit sticks to the windscreen and is attached to the cigarette lighter by a single lead. It is easy to remove from the view of would-be thieves.

The kits are provided by the Community Safety Partnership in Rochdale.