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Motorists in the Canterbury area are being urged to remain vigilant and ensure their vehicles are securely locked overnight following a recent surge in thefts from cars.
Kent Police are currently investigating three separate incidents that occurred within the last week across the city. Vehicles parked in Iron Bar Lane, Crown Gardens, and St Dunstans Terrace were targeted by thieves, who gained entry and made off with items including laptops, tools, and electronic devices.
Initial investigations suggest a worrying trend, with enquiries indicating that the perpetrators are actively trying car door handles in search of vehicles left unlocked. This recent spate of incidents in Canterbury follows similar reports from neighbouring coastal towns Whitstable and Herne Bay in recent weeks, where vehicle owners have also discovered their cars had been entered and personal belongings stolen.
Police are appealing to the public for any information related to these incidents and are strongly advising all vehicle owners in the Canterbury area to take the simple precaution of double-checking their cars are locked before leaving them unattended, especially overnight.
Inspector Daniel Fordom of Canterbury Community Safety Unit, said:
‘Whilst officers are working hard to tackle vehicle crime and catch those responsible, we are urging the public to take simple but crucial steps to protect their vehicles and possessions by locking doors, removing valuable items and keeping keys out of sight.
‘We also recommend parking in a garage if possible, or a well-lit area, ideally covered by CCTV. By working together, we can safeguard against theft and make it much harder for criminals to operate in our community.’
Anyone who has been victim of theft should report it through the Kent Police website or call 999 if a crime is in progress. Further advice on how to keep your car or van secure is here: https://www.kent.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/vehicle-safe-and-sound