Police in Newport have been given new capture car vehicles to help snare car criminals.
Capture cars fitted with high-tech cameras have been deployed in the city to clamp down on thieves. The cars are left in hotspot areas to deter people from breaking cars belonging to members of the public. Once a capture car is broken into an alarm system alerts police officers, who then retrieve the car to forensically examine it and download video footage of the crime.
Previously Newport police have borrowed capture cars belonging to the Gwent Police force, but now they have their own vehicles thanks to the Safer Newport partnership funding. Two successful trials with the borrowed cars earlier this year persuaded Safer Newport to invest in the technology. In April, a borrowed car was broken into within an hour of it being left of the street and thanks to video footage the offender was identified and arrested. The other time the car was deployed, in July, saw another car thief caught and prosecuted.
Car crime in Newport has been reduced by 14.3% in the last three years, but it is hoped the new capture cars will further reduce that figure.
Detective Inspector Dean White, of Newport Central station, said:
"We’re delighted to have been given these capture cars as they will help us to further reduce vehicle crime.
Capture cars are a unique way to help catch criminals, but they also act as a deterrent.
Our message is clear – if you break into a car in Newport then there is a strong possibility you will be traced and brought to justice."
Rod Grindlay, Newport’s Community Safety and Partnership Inspector, added: "We are very grateful to the Safer Newport partnership for funding these capture cars. By working together with partners we are committed to further reducing crime in the city.
The capture cars are a great example of how we are using innovative technology to stop criminals in their tracks."
