Car crime has been on the increase in Northamptonshire and new technological advances are set to help tackle it.
As well as the new Operation Tiger vehicle patrolling the streets, officers will be using new ‘trap cars’ and bluetooth technology in a bid to reduce the number of incidents.
The trap cars will be used across the county and will film anyone who breaks into the car and steal anything from inside, or the car itself. Footage is taken of the person or people getting into the vehicle that can be used to identify them.
The trap cars will also be fitted with Smartwater, the substance that uses a unique forensic fingerprint that is almost invisible to the naked eye but is fluorescent under ultraviolet light. If a person breaks into the car they will be sprayed with the substance, which remains on the skin and clothing despite washing.
New bluetooth technology will also be used in the fight against vehicle crime. As an addition to current crime prevention tools, bluetooth will enable officers to visit car crime hot spots and direct crime prevention advice straight to people in their homes.
All officers need to do is send a message from a laptop computer reminding people to make sure their vehicles are secure and everyone within 75 feet with a bluetooth enabled phone will receive the message.
Sgt Dennis Murray who is spearheading Operation Tiger, said: “These new state of the art technologies will allow us to both identify those criminals who commit vehicle crime and remind people to be extra vigilant when they leave their vehicles.
“There has been an increase in vehicle crime in Northamptonshire in the last six months but we are determined to put a stop to this rise and believe the trap cars and bluetooth with help us to do this.
“Vehicles owners can do their bit to help us combat this kind of crime. We really need people to check that they lock their car every time they park and to take all their property with them when they go, even if they are parked on their own drive. If there is nothing in your car then it is far less likely that criminals will bother to break in.”
Tips on how to prevent becoming a victim of vehicle crime include
*Never leave anything in your vehicle when you park, not even in the boot
*Always lock your vehicle, even if it will only be unattended for a few minutes. Never leave the keys inside
*Park in a secure, alarmed garage or on a driveway if you have one, otherwise park in a well-lit area
*Keep your car keys safe, secure and out of sight when you are at home
*Fit extra security devices to your car if they do not come as standard. If they are already supplied, make sure you use them.
