We thank the West Mercia Community Engagement team and our local police team for visiting on 29th May with information advice and guidance.

The recent spate of car thefts from properties locally predominantly affects keyless vehicles with proximity activated ignition and is believed to be the work of organised criminal teams.  Special equipment can clone the information from your key fob from inside the house without entering the premises, allowing the vehicle to be started and driven off in a matter of seconds.

PROTECTION
The police advise the use of Faraday Pouches (or boxes).  Inserting your key fobs into these will prevent their information being read by cloning devices and thus prevent them simply being driven off. 

Faraday pouches can be obtained free  of charge from the police team (if you cant get hold of them let us know and we will see if we can get a few) ....... or can be sourced quite cheaply on line.

Another option is an old fashioned steering lock which clamps to the steering wheel making it impossible to drive.  These have the added advantage of being highly visible so letting thieves know immediately that they are wasting their time!     

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SMART WATER

The Safer Neighbourhood team also chatted about the benefit of Smart Water marking for household property.  This is an invisible mark placed on valuables likely to be taken in the event of burglary.  Each Smart Water kit is uniquely identifiable and you simply register your details on line.  Should your property ever be recovered following theft this not only means you can get it back .... but also provides evidence to support convictions.

Again the team have got Smart Water kits available which include not only the marker but also displayable notices to say your home is protected which have a deterrent effect.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Please do consider signing up for the neighbourhood watch scheme to receive advice and helpful notifications.  Signing up is simple at https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/ .  Just enter your postcode to locate the Bishampton and Thorckmorton Scheme.

We are also keen to hear from anyone with a little time available to oversee the local scheme.  Please contact the existing scheme leader via Our Watch - or pass us your details and we will put you in touch.

.......  And a reminder that, whilst all crime is alarming and dreadful for the victims - we are fortunate to live in a very low crime area.