Central District Police are encouraging trailer owners to secure their trailers after a small spike in the theft of trailers across the District in the past two weeks.
District Prevention Manager Inspector Mark Harrison says while the minor increase has mostly been in the Manawatü and Whanganui areas, it is timely to remind all those with trailers to ensure they are secure and are stored out of sight.
"Trailers are very easy to resurrect in that they don’t normally have chassis numbers like a car so it's important to take extra precautions to secure them. We urge trailer owners to store their trailer out of sight and have it chained to something secure to prevent it from being easily stolen," says Inspector Harrison.
"I also want to take this opportunity to remind residents to make sure their property and vehicles are protected. A quick spot check in and around your home will help identify any areas that need securing, including recording serial numbers and identifying details of valuables through SNAP."
Operation SNAP enables anyone to record serial numbers and other unique identifying details of their valuable goods on an electronic database for free. Visit www.snap.org.nz for further information. Operation SNAP is a completely secure website and is supported by NZ Police.
If anyone has any information regarding stolen trailers please contact your local police station. Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Any suspicious behaviour occurring in your community can be reported to your local Police Station or call 111 if you witness it happening at the time.
Protect yourself and your community by taking some simple steps:
- Make sure your house, vehicles, sheds, and garages are secured at all times and use effective catches and locks
- Don't leave a spare door key hidden outside
- Invest in an alarm, quality deadlocks and security lighting
- Keep valuables out of view
- Make the house look lived in - put lights on automatic timers and have someone open and close curtains and take the post in
- Make sure plants and trees are well trimmed - don't give thieves a place to hide
- Mark your property so it can be easily identified if recovered
- Make a list of property and record serial numbers
- Take photos of unique items such as jewellery and ornaments
- Don't put empty boxes from new purchases out with the rubbish as it advertises what is in your house - take them to be recycled
- Getting to know your neighbours is also effective in the fight against crime.
ENDS
