THEFT FROM CARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22896, 26 November 1937, Page 12

THEFT FROM CARS

MANY OWNERS SUFFER small fittings removed DIFFICULTY OF PREVENTION Thefts of small pieces of equipment, readily removed, from motor-cars parked in city and suburban streets, continue to be n source of annoyance, as well as of inconvenience and expense, to numbers of motorists. It is a risk to leave a car unattended for any length of time, day or night, even in the few places in the city where there is 110 restriction on parking, and petty thieves have stolen recently fittings from cars standing at the kerb in main thoroughfares. Major thefts from motor-vehicles have declined in number in tile last two or three months. The police are receiving fewer reports of stolen batteries, lamps, generators and other items of electrical equipment, so many of which disappeared during the winter, but the sneak-thief who specialises in radiator and petrol-tank caps, mascots, tyre covers and even descends to stealing valve-caps and valves from tyres, is still operating. Easily Detached Articles

Losses too trivial to be reported to tho police for investigation arc common. Motorists who park regularly in Albert Street have been particularly unfortunate in the last few days, owners returning after a short business call to find something missing from their cars. In several instances the thief has risked the driver's unexpected return and has opened tho bonnet of a car to remove some quickly-detached triHc.

While carelessness on the part of motorists docs not offer any excuse for theft, little sympathy is felt for the owner who leaves his car unlocked, and then finds either the vehicle missing, or something taken from it. 'I he theft of accessories is more difficult to prevent, however, as it is impossible to lock them all. Spare wheels and even tankcaps can be locked firmly enough to defy the most determined thief, unless he is provided with powerful bolt-cutters, but there is no method of securing other fittings. Dogs on Guard An alert dog left in the car is as a rule sufficient to deter any thief, and increasing numbers of drivers are making a practice of allowing their pot to guard their cars for them. Unfortunately, every motorist is not a dog owner, and the thief rarely finds himself confronted by a faithful animal whoso barking alone is enough to at' tract attention. Most accessories stolen from parked cars are taken for what they will bring in cash. Jt is difficult to locate tho market for such stolen goods, though there is no doubt that it exists. If it could suppressed, the thefts would be reduced to a minimum.