POLICE officers at Abergavenny Station are urging motorists not to leave valuables in their cars.
WIth this in mind, PC Andy Charles, Sergeant Wayne Yandle, county councillor Bryan Jones and Bryn y Cwm area manager Dale Roberts took to the streets of Abergavenny making sure valuables were not on display in cars.
Whilst walking around the area it became apparent that many people were ignoring the advice being issues both at national and local level advising people not to leave their valuables on display.
PC Andy Charles said, "Officers within Monmouthshire are attending calls almost daily where people have become a victim of car crime where persons have left their property in full view in their vehicles and the opportunist thief has come along, seen the valuables and gained entry either by force, leaving the victim with not only the theft of their property to contend with but also the problems of very often getting expensive repairs done or via insecurity of their vehicles."
So far this financial year, Gwent Police has received 190 reports of theft from unattended motor vehicles compared to 138 during 2007/08.
The type of property that was seen left on display include laptop computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, sat nav systems and clothing.
To help reinforce the message not to leave valuables in their vehicles Gwent Police at Abergavenny are working with their partners in the area including MCC carpark wardens, county carpark watch volunteers and others in an attempt to identify these vehicles that leave valuables on display making them potential victims of crimes, the owner will contacted by letter giving them basic crime prevention advice.
PC Charles adds, "This issue is a community problem and it is only by the police working together with the community that we are going to be able to tackle this issues and bring those responsible to book. We are lucky in the Abergavenny area that we have a strong network of neighbourhood watch who are making big differences in the area's they operate in raising awareness on crime prevention problems."
Dales Roberts said, "Many of us have at some time been unlucky enough to have our cars broken into and we can remember the anger and distress this causes. This issue is highlighted at this time of year as we all need to be mindful of the dangers if we are placing shopping in our cars for 'safekeeping' whilst we return to the shops.
"The Abergavenny area is a great place to visit, whether to shop or perhaps to enjoy a walk and it would be a great shame if visitors' experience were marred by a theft from their vehicle."
Councillor Bryan Jones, cabinet member for Regulatory Services adds, "I was invited along for a walkabout with Gwent Police at Abergavenny as concerns have been raised of people leaving valuables on display in their vehicles marking them out as potential victims of car crime and I felt I would like to experience the extent of the problem the police the facing first hand.
"Despite repeated articles in the press and campaigns locally and at national level it is clear from my experience whilst on patrol with the officers that car owners are not getting the message and are still leaving valuables clearly on display making their vehicle a potential target of crime. It is only us as a community working together that crime can be reduced in Monmouthshire."