Please attribute the following statement to Manawatu Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Sergeant Carl Newton:
In recent weeks, Manawatu Police have noticed an increase in vehicle related crime in the wider Manawatu region.
Since the beginning of 2022, approximately 350 vehicles have been stolen as well as a number of trailers.
Police believe a number of these thefts can be attributed to a comparatively small number offenders.
Since the start of the year, six offenders have been positively identified as collectively committing over 80 vehicle offences in the region.
Police are committed to actively investigating vehicle theft and holding offenders to account.
However, Police cannot be everywhere at once and cannot deter opportunistic thieves on our own.
Police urge people to take measures in order to prevent their car from being stolen in the first place.
Detective Sergeant Carl Newton says “while the vast majority of stolen cars are recovered by Police, they are often damaged, and the theft of a vehicle is not only disruptive but upsetting for many people. Ensuring your vehicle is secure will cost you nothing and can help to avoid the distress and cost associated with car theft”.
Taking measures such as ensuring that when your car is unattended, it is locked and all valuable items are removed or concealed from view is important.
If possible, park your vehicle in a garage, but if it must be parked on the road, try to park in a well-lit, busy area.
There are also anti-theft devices that are available for trailers that will help prevent theft.
By making your vehicle more challenging to steal, opportunistic thieves will be more likely to leave it alone.
