Vehicle Crime

The local picture                    

Information on vehicle crime in the city is available here.                                  

What we’re doing                               

In Brighton & Hove the police work in partnership with other agencies to tackle the problem. Work includes                                  

• Targeting of prolific offenders, crime ‘hotspots’ and the market for stolen goods 
• Running a series of intelligence led operations to tackle vehicle crime 
• Improving car park security 
• The use of a police ‘trap car’ to catch offenders 

A few examples of specific initiatives being run in Brighton & Hove:                                 

Preventing vehicle crime                                  

Secure your vehicle 
A thief can break into your vehicle in a minute and can either remove your property or steal the vehicle itself. If you have been a victim of this type of crime you will know the cost, inconvenience and anger it can cause.                                  

However, by taking a few simple steps we can drastically reduce the chances that our vehicles will be targeted and also reduce the fear of vehicle crime in our neighbourhoods - lets bring crime down and don't give them an easy ride.     

Some of the simple steps you can take are:                                  

Park in safe areas 
Any location where vehicles are parked and there are few people about, the vehicle is hidden from public view or where there are several ways of escape will be attractive to a thief. You should look to park in areas that are well lit, busy and offer good surveillance.                                  

If possible use car parks which have attained Secured Car Park status. These car parks have been certified as meeting minimum standards in layout and design, lighting, surveillance and controlled entry and exit. Although not a guarantee, safety figures show that Secured Car Parks can reduce vehicle crime by 70%.                    

Use security devices
Over half of car crime is 'opportunistic'. Most criminals can be easily outsmarted by taking simple steps to secure your car.                                  

Some of the security devices that are effective include:                                  

• Wheel protection. Thieves target alloy wheels and tyres from steel wheels - protect them using locking wheel nuts - they are not expensive and are easy to fit. 
• Immobilisers. A sure way to prevent your vehicle being stolen. 
• Security devices. Steering wheel and gear lever locks are not expensive and are easy to fit. 
• Etching. Etch your vehicle registration number onto all glass surfaces. 
• Stereo. Get one that is removable or has a removable front cover. Mark the stereo with a unique identifying reference 
• Shut windows and lock doors 

An unlocked door or an open window is an invitation to a thief and yet many of us do this when paying for petrol, getting a car park ticket or popping into a shop - your vehicle and your property can be stolen in less than a minute.                                  

Always lock your doors and the boot and close the windows.                                  

Don't leave anything on display 
Having property and valuables on display will provide a temptation to a thief. Thefts from vehicles greatly outnumber thefts of vehicles because opportunist thieves are tempted by property lying on the front seats, on the dashboard or in the back.     

Any type of property that is on display is vulnerable - laptops, phones, bags, money, CDs and radios. If it is visible in an unattended vehicle a thief can quickly break the window and steal it.                                  

Don't give them an easy ride - take your property with you or lock it out of sight in the boot or a vehicle safe.                                  

What to do if your car is stolen/broken into…                              

Contact Sussex Police as soon as possible dialling 0845 60 70 999. If possible, have full details available of the make, model and registration number of the vehicle. If your vehicle has been broken into:                                  

• Tell the officers the method used (eg. by breaking a side window) 
• Make a list of any property stolen from the vehicle, giving as many details as possible 
• Ask neighbours or people living in the area if they saw anything suspicious 
• If the vehicle has been stolen, tell officers if there was anything inside of particularly high value or that was potentially dangerous 

Further information                                  

Steer clear of car crime booklet                                 

Steer clear of motorcycle crime booklet                                  

Steer clear of truck theft booklet