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Call to avoid car crime
Riverside Housing has teamed up with Merseyside Police to clamp down on car crime in St Helens.
The local landlord funded car accessories such as air fresheners to advise people to remove valuable items from their cars, and tax disc holders that if stolen render the disc invalid.
Merseyside Police launched their car crime campaign at Chalon Way car park in St Helens, where there has been a spate of car thefts and break-ins.
Tanya Marsh housing officer at Riverside Housing said: “Neighbourhoods can be blighted by incidents of car crime. We are working with local police to try to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime in communities in a bid to improve the lives of all our tenants and residents in St Helens.”
Riverside Housing is also funding a personal safety initiative to be launched by St Helens police. Community Support Officers are set to hand out purse alarms to women in the town, which attach to handbags and are set off if someone attempts a purse snatch.
Acting Neighbourhood Inspector Diane Pownall said: “Thieves are out there and watching your vehicle, do not leave anything at all on display in your car such as electronic equipment. Even if you are only going to be a couple of minutes, take your bag and valuables with you. Make sure you always lock your car and check the door and the boot before you walk away. Don’t take the risk of being a victim of car crime – it can be avoided.”
Arena Housing and the Chamber of Commerce also funded the initiatives.
If anyone has information about car crime please call Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010 or call crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
