ADVICE FOR TRADESMAN
24 November 2003

Recently there has been an increase of vehicle crime in the Stevenage area in particular with vehicles used in connection with business and the theft of tools from within those vehicles.

In an attempt to prevent further offences being committed, please find below a list of the top ten tips that may prevent you becoming the victim of this type of crime.
 

• The safest place to park a vehicle is in a garage.
• If not available always park the vehicle in a busy well lit area
• Always remove valuable tools from the vehicle at night.
• Always ensure that the vehicle is locked and secured.
• The ignition key should always be removed.
• Remove personal property from the vehicle.
• Consider enhancing the locking systems on the vehicle for extra protection.
• Keep an inventory of all electrical tools with serial numbers.
• Consider post coding all valuable equipment.
• If property must be left in the vehicle, always keep in out of view. 

Most of this type of crime is opportunist, remove the opportunity and the crime may never be committed.
It is your property, don’t let the thief take it away. It could affect your business more than you think.