Safer Reading Partnership Trap-cars are now operating in the Reading area, as part of a car crime crackdown.
Since the introduction of this new crime-fighting camera equipment in August 2006, there have been 296 arrests, in Reading and Wokingham combined, for theft of motor vehicles, the authorities report. In the same period there have also been 65 theft from motor vehicle arrests in Reading and Wokingham.
What Thames Valley say
Insp Graham Dix said: "The Trap-car project launched this summer has shown a dramatic reduction in the number of vehicles stolen across Reading. The number of cars having items stolen from them has also reduced significantly. Criminals should take note that they will not know which car may be set as a trap for them. There will be ever increasing numbers of such cars throughout the area. You have been warned!"
Tony Page, Lead Councillor for Community Action, said: "This car crime crackdown has produced big results. Between April 1 and October 8 this year car crime in Reading has fallen by 20pc, compared with the same period last year. The message to car criminals is clear, the next car you break into maybe a police Trap-car. These hidden cameras will provide us with the evidence we need."
