“Spate” Of Thefts From Cars

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 14

“Spate” Of Thefts From Cars

A warning to car owners to lock their cars and take all other sensible precautions when leaving them parked in and around Christchurch was given by Detective-Inspector N. Thompson, of the Criminal Investigation Branch, yesterday Inspector Thompson said that a handbag containing £229 was stolen from a car parked in Linwood by a woman during the week-end On Monday of \ last week, a camera and equipment worth £3OO were stolen from an unlocked car parked in Cashel street "There has been a spate ot thefts from cars recently," he said. “The £229 and camera and ( equipment have not been recovered as yet No doubt, the owners are feeling very sorry for themselves.

“In most cases of reported thefts from cars, the cars have been left unlocked. In numerous cases, transistor radios. handbags. rugs binoculars, and other goods have been left lying in the cars so that passers-by can see the articles at a glance “Leaving cars unlocked with valuable articles that

can be seen easily is practically tantamount to tempting thieves,” he said. The police had no evidence to suggest that a gang of car thieves was operating in the city Most thefts from cars took place between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and in the evenings “Motorists should make a point of locking their cars for a period—then it will become a habit.” Inspector Thompson said. “A car parked neai a picture theatre or dance hall indicates that the owner will be away from it a long time. A car parked near a hotel between 5 pm and 6 pm. indicates that the owner will probably be away until 8 pm. or a little later A car parked in the city, but not on a meter, early in the morning, indicates that the owner will be away from it until 5 p.m. “It is not much trouble, and it does not take much time to lock a car. Owners should make sure it is properly locked—e window left down a little, and it is only a waste of time locking it. "As well as locking cars owners should conceal valuable articles—under the seats or in the boot—if they have to leave them In the car.”

The officer m charge of the Christchurch police district (Superintendent G. C. Urquhart) said that all constables and patrol cars had 'been alerted about the spate of thefts from cars. “The offence is hard to detect, and it is difficult to recover the stolen, property in many of these thefts Com-mon-sense precautions by car users will save much heartburning and assist the police in stopping this type of theft." he said

Inspector Thompson said that a transistor radio, worth £2O, was stolen from a car near the Winter Garden during the week-end An electric razor, rugs, jersey, and shoes, worth £26 15s, were stolen from a' car in Kearneys road. A tyre gauge and driver’s licence were stolen from a car in Cambridge terrace.

Last Wednesday night, a handbag and contents, worth £lO. were stolen from a car in Cathedral square On Sat; urday nirht a transistor radio and thermos flask, worth £lB. were stolen from a car in Oxford terrace.

Articles worth £l4 were stolen from a car in Hereford street, and £1 Iss from -a car in Cranmer square. 4