THE Community Safety Partnership’s summer campaign is now well under way and this year the focus is on vehicle crime and the steps that Wyre Forest residents can take to help prevent it.

There are simple precautions everyone can take when leaving their car unattended which will help to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of car crime.

An important part of the campaign, ‘Empty Your Car Before a Thief Does’, is raising awareness of the problem and that’s why you’ll be able to hear adverts on 107.2 The Wyre radio station very soon.

Warmer weather means that people are more likely to have car windows and sunroofs open. Please remember to lock all doors, close windows and shut the sun roof every time you leave your vehicle unattended, however briefly. Many vehicles get broken into in the first few minutes that it is out of the driver’s sight. Another message is ‘Don’t Leave Anything on Display in Your Vehicle’. Car criminals like to window shop and even a coat or plastic bag left on view will tempt a thief.

Sat navs should always be removed from the car and any marks from the suckers used to attach them wiped away. If thieves see tell-tale sucker marks on the windscreen or dashboard, they will guess that it’s somewhere inside and likely to be in the glove box or the boot!

Over the summer, we will be distributing vehicle crime reduction packs, reminding people that closing windows, removing valuables and securing vehicles all helps to reduce crime. Anyone can collect one from the Worcestershire Hub in the Town Hall at Kidderminster, the Worcestershire Hub in the Civic Centre, Stourport or the Worcestershire Hub in Bewdley.

For further information about how to protect your car, visit: westmercia. police.uk/vehicle/ HELEN DYKE Chairman Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership