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The criminals tend to pick on the
vulnerable and 'no questions asked' targets like lorries.
The offending vehicle often with its brake lights
disconnected will position itself in front of the target
vehicle (elderly persons, young mother with children, etc.)
then the car will slow down and then stop suddenly.
The victim will see no brake lights and probably hit the
rear of the criminals car. The criminals will take
loads of pictures usually with their camera phones and some
even have a loosely tied rear bumper to make it look worse.
Exchange names and addresses and
there is not much damage to your vehicle and no injuries!
You might inform your insurance company straight away,
details of the accident in your mind are to say the least
'brief', you have not taken photographs or bothered to find
and record proper independent witnesses.
They will claim for maybe 6
persons injured and major damage to their car - oh yes, you
didn't see the other 5, they were not there but you have no
evidence either!
One offender was caught
recently after having 5 accidents in the same location on a
roundabout, luckily some office workers that overlooked the
scene became suspicious with the same guy in all these
accidents.
If you have any doubts about
the accident please take FULL details, record the contact
details of an independent witness, if you can safely take
some pictures of your vehicle and theirs and them.
Newer mobile phones have cameras but you can also get a
cheap disposable 35mm camera to carry in the glove box.
If worried or
suspicious ring the POLICE on 999
Read the
Mirror.co.uk report of a real situation
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Did you know? |
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Your car may have
fantastic coded keys, immobiliser, tilt alarm to stop
the vehicle being towed away, laminated glass all round,
and countless other electronic chips, glass marking,
etc. etc. BUT if you leave your keys in the car or
in a bowl near the glass front door of your house, etc.
none of these super anti-theft devices work at all!!
Thieves are targeting
the car they want on a drive and smash their way through
the door and pick up the keys and they are off, that
easy.
Don't leave your keys
in the ignition for a moment when you leave the car -
even on petrol forecourts it has been known for thieves
to be waiting for you!
When leaving your car,
place valuables (satnavs, mobile phones, etc.) out of
sight and do not drive through areas like towns at slow
speed with your windows down fully, it is an invitation
for the wandering thieving hand! |
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Buying a car
or caravan |
| If you are
buying a vehicle from a reputable outlet there should
not be a problem but if you purchase on EBay or
Privately consider checking the vehicles pedigree
through HPI - (www.hpicheck.com)
or CRiS for caravans. For example £45 million
worth of stolen Motorhomes are out there, if you buy one
and it is subsequently found to be stolen you loose as
well.
Better to be
safe than SORRY |
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BEWARE of
organisations pretending to be a charity!! |  In
some areas bags are being left on the doorsteps of houses
asking for old clothes that will be sold and the money will
go to Africa to help the poor or the clothes will go to
AFRICA to help. Some organisations are genuine and
have a CHARITY number but others are just crooks and get you
to donate clothes which they sell for their own profit.
If in doubt, check with the Charities Commission or make
contact with your local Police.
Just to rub salt into the wound,
some groups are taking donated goods from outside charity
shops - theft in other words. If you see it happening
make a note of the registration number of the vehicle and
tell the POLICE.
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Be on the look out |
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These are familiar trade marks to most of
us, but would you know if the e-mail communication you
receive is genuine!!!! They (all Banks, etc.) will never
ask for your password or PIN, but there are many people
out there trying it on in the hope that they will find
someone who will fall for their tricks - DON’T BE THAT
PERSON.If you any doubt whatever, make contact with the
organisation before you regret it.
If you get sacks left on your doorstep
asking for clothes for Africa or any other charity, make
sure that the
charity is real and has a number. Some
people are
leaving sacks, playing on your generosity
to give new or good clothes, then selling them for their
own profit - the only ‘charity’ that benefits is the
crooks!!
One cycle every
5 minutes is stolen in England and Wales!! |
| Some are secured many
are not - if you secure your cycle please make sure it
is a well made device (cycle shops and Police can
advise) and that it is secured to something immovable.
Just the other day a locked new moped was just lifted
into a van and taken away. Never leave your bike
attended and unlocked, you are asking for trouble.
On many occasions people see thieves using bolt croppers
to steal bikes and do nothing about it - please if you
see something suspicious call 999. It is little
point saying that the Police will do nothing, maybe they
won't but if we do nothing we are just as guilty of
apathy. |
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Car Insurance
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No doubt you are aware that the
Police have powers to seize uninsured vehicles and issue
certain fixed penalty notices and penalty points and I hear
you all say good, they deserve it and if I pay for insurance
they should! But did
you know that some 990,000 drivers are missed off the Motor
Insurers Bureau database that the Police access to see if
insurance cover is in place? That means that a
properly insured car driver can be at risk of having their
vehicle being impounded on the spot!
So perhaps to ensure (or at
least help) why not carry a copy of your insurance
certificate in your car - I do along with a copy of the
registration document and vehicle test certificate. |
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This information is supplied for
your information, if you wish to know more then you can make
contact with us (e-mail) or your Local Crime Prevention Officer or
Fire Safety Officer.
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Information
Page - Safety and Security
