A man has been arrested and suspected stolen property recovered after police stopped a car in Stoke Giford this morning (Friday 19th April).
Officers patrolling the area spotted a blue Citroen Picasso suspected of being involved in a number of recent incidents in which items have been stolen from vehicles.
When they attempted to stop the car on Coldharbour Lane, the occupants got out and ran away on foot.
One man, aged in his 30s, has since been arrested,while a search for the others involved is ongoing.
Inside the Picasso, which had false registration plates, were a number of power tools which are believed to have been stolen.
The vehicle will now be examined for evidence.
PC Ross Calderwood said:
“We fully appreciate the detrimental impact this type of crime has on hardworking tradespeople.”
“When vehicles are broken into they often need to be taken off the road for repair and tools need to be replaced resulting in periods in which people can’t work.”
“Thanks to the keen eyes of the officers out patrolling today, we’ve managed to arrest at least one man suspected of being involved in this type of crime and are now in the process of trying to reunite some of the recovered tools with their rightful owners.”
Avon and Somerset Police offer the following tips for making life harder for criminals intent on stealing property from vehicles:
- Emptying their vehicles overnight, if possible, and if not, making sure tools are kept in a secure box or cage anchored inside the vehicle
- Making tools and equipment identifiable. If the items are permanently marked with your business name or postcode it deters thieves because it means the real ownership can be proved
- Recording the serial numbers or registering them at www.immobilise.com which also helps police prove the theft if property is recovered
- Always locking up and setting the alarm of vehicles, every time they are left unattended
- Parking with the rear access doors against a wall or another vehicle
- Installing motion-sensing security lighting and CCTV
- Not creating a market for stolen goods by buying suspiciously cheap second-hand tools
A police spokesperson added:
“Residents who hear a vehicle alarm sounding should look outside and call 999 straight away if they see someone tampering with a vehicle.”
If you have recently had tools stolen from your vehicle please phone 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5219085288.
Photos: Suspected stolen power tools inside the stolen vehicle.
