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By taking a few crime prevention measures motorists can help prevent themselves from being a victim of crime.

West Mercia Police is committed to tackling vehicle crime and has the following advice to protect your cars, motorbikes and vans from being stolen: –

Do you have a security light/doorbell camera?
• Having a security light gives you an extra layer of protection. Security lights give the impression someone is in and removes the element of darkness.
• Installing a doorbell camera or security camera on your driveway can help to deter criminals too and many products are much less expensive than you may think.

Lock your windows

• Make sure your windows are securely locked. As with your doors, check that your window locks are of a good standard to prevent car key burglars.

Get a steering wheel disc lock

• Steering wheel disc locks are a good deterrent to would-be thieves as they delay the amount of time it takes to steal a vehicle.

If possible, secure your vehicle out of sight in a garage

• If you have a garage, parking your vehicle out of sight in there with a securely locked door keeps it out of sight of criminals and much harder to steal.

Put your keys in a ‘Faraday’ pouch

• Place your keyless entry fobs in a “Faraday pouch” to prevent relay theft where thieves boost the signal from the car to the key fob to gain access.

Install a tracker to your vehicle

• Installing a GPS tracker or mobile phone tagging device to your car will enable its location to be tracked by police. Your insurance company can advise you on suitable products.

Fit a foldable bollard to your driveway

• This may be a more expensive option, but it is a wise investment to prevent vehicles being driven off, particularly if you have a high value one on your driveway.

Remember thieves can often look to target owners of high value and/or high-performance vehicles, any crime prevention measures taken can help reduce the chances of being targeted.

Launched this month, the refreshed Local Policing Charter is based on three principles – visibility, accessibility, engagement – and sets out the force’s promise to ensure a two-way conversation to understand how local teams can respond to concerns and improve confidence in the service we deliver.

The charter has been co-produced with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion, to ensure it aligns to the Police and Crime Plan priorities, as well as Parish and Town Councils and Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs).

It has a focus on crime, safety and anti-social behaviour (ASB) which will be achieved through targeted high visibility patrols in high footfall areas and intelligent use of data to address crime/ASB or confidence.

Using a problem-solving approach, the charter will be delivered locally by understanding and agreeing local priorities which will be reviewed periodically.

Our Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) will continue to engage with parish and town councils, with regular contact through written updates and engaging with communities both in person and via social media and our Neighbourhood Matters website, ensuring we are accessible to all.

The new Local Policing Charter will deliver:

·  Improved services to the public

·  Improved communication and engagement channels with communities

·  Policing with the community

·  Increased confidence and trust with the public

·  Intelligent and targeted deployment of resource

·  Enhanced and consistent service to the public

·  Increased visibility and accessibility in communities

·  Strong partnership working

These outcomes will be measured through several methods, including the annual Town and Parish Council Survey and the Public Confidence and Perception survey – both of which are produced by the PCC.

Assistant Chief Constable of West Mercia Police Grant Wills said: “We are committed to building safer, stronger communities through a visible, accessible, and engaging police presence.

“Our focus is on delivering community policing that responds to local needs, fosters trust, and promotes public safety.

“We recognise that community policing goes beyond traditional law enforcement – it is about building strong relationships with those we serve by actively engaging with citizens and being an integral part of policing with the community.

“To achieve this, we will prioritise targeted visible patrols, which offer the kind of accessibility that allows officers to build relationships and engage directly with the public.

“This approach fosters a two-way dialogue that is essential for understanding the community’s concerns and improving trust.

“Visibility is a cornerstone of the Charter because it reassures residents and deters crime through a more approachable, human-centred police presence.

“Finally, our efforts to enhance visibility and accessibility will be supported by evidence-based problem solving, ensuring that we address the root causes of crime, working with local partners to reduce harm and prevent crime before it occurs. Our commitment is to always be accessible, and the Local Policing Community Charter sets out how we will achieve this.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Engaging with our communities is incredibly important. It is vital that we aren’t just broadcasting, but allowing people to have their voice and their concerns heard.

“I know that communities want their police service to be visible and accessible, so I am pleased to have worked with the force on this charter that clearly sets out their commitments on how they will achieve this.”

·  You can read our new Local Policing Charter here