Motorists Warned To Guard Tyres

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 16

Motorists Warned To Guard Tyres

Motorists were warned of a possible increase in tyre and wheel-assembly thefts yesterday.

Detective Sergeant E. J. Stackhouse, the Christchurch crime prevention officer, said the new regulations for the checking of tyres for warrants of fitness had caused a tyre shortage. Thefts of wheel assemblies were constantly being reported to the police and they would increase unless preventive steps were taken. Police patrols were watching places where vehicles were left unattended, especially car parks and dealers’ yards, he. said. Owners of trailers and caravans parked in isolated places were warned of the possibility of wheel assembly thefts. It was unwise to leave vehicles in isolated places for long periods without removing the wheels or chaining them to the vehicle, said Detective Sergeant Stackhouse. This was particularly so on construction sites. The warning included boat trailers. Detective Sergeant Stackhouse said that previous warnings had been given of ; the importance of checking ' the contents and locking lugi gage compartments in • vehicles. That warning now > applies doubly. Service station owners

were asked to chain tyres to their display racks or to use dummy tyres. In many cases tyres had serial numbers and it was good policy for the motorist to note the numbers of his vehicle’s tyres. Detective Sergeant Stackhouse said that many companies produced anti-theft devices for vehicles and inquiries about fitting them could benefit owners. Vehicle owners should also put identifying marks on the steel wheel rim either with a metal punch or by etching. This enabled the ready identification of a wheel assembly, he said.