Ipswich - Don’t fall prey to vehicle crime

Police in Ipswich are reminding motorists to keep their vehicles secure as they launch a targeted operation to tackle theft from vehicles in the town.

Over 380 thefts from vehicles were reported between February and October 2023 in Ipswich.  Recent data indicates that almost a third of these thefts occur from an insecure vehicle compare to 14% which involved forced entry by the thief.

Thieves will target vehicles where they can see items on show – even charging cables or a small amount of loose change will be enough to motivate an opportunist thief.  Simply physically checking that the doors are locked, and windows closed, as well as removing all items from view, can significantly reduce the risk of theft.

Inspector Ben Richards from Ipswich police said: “We are conducting some targeted patrols in affected areas across the town and will be working closely with the Ipswich Borough Council Community safety teams, Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch teams in an attempt to tackle the issue. Vehicles with keyless entry can also present thieves with an opportunity as the range on the key fob can reach a vehicle parked close to the address. We recommend utilising a ‘faraday bag’ to block the signal from the key.  Police preferred specification products can be found at Accredited Product Search (securedbydesign.com)

"Vehicles with keyless entry can also present thieves with an opportunity as the range on the key fob can reach a vehicle parked close to the address. We recommend placing your keys further from the front door or utilising a signal shield container which can be purchased online.

“In particular, with the Christmas rush now underway, we’d urge people to think about vehicle security. The figures show opportunistic vehicle break-ins unfortunately happen all year round, and if you are a victim it can be very distressing and upsetting, but this can be magnified if you have gifts stolen that are bought for your loved ones.”

Police ask that people follow these simple steps to reduce your risk of being a victim:

• Don't leave ANY item on display.
• Avoid keeping valuables in a vehicle.  Think about the inconvenience of having to replace your driving licence/passport/housekeys etc if they were stolen.
• Always lock all doors and shut windows whenever the vehicle is unattended.
• Physically check that the doors are secure when you lock it.
• Always set your alarm and act if you hear an alarm sounding.
• Park in a garage or secure, well-lit area covered by CCTV.
• If you have a video doorbell or other CCTV, check it is recording and charged. Check the activations for any suspicious activity.
• If you have a dashcam, check if has a parking mode so that it can record when the car is unoccupied.
• Consider using a shielded container to store car keys where you have keyless entry. 

More information can be found on our website>

Keeping vehicles safe | Crime prevention | Suffolk Constabulary

If you see or hear anything suspicious, please contact police.  In an emergency always call 999.  Otherwise please report online via Report | Suffolk Constabulary or call 101.