Rochdale police in drive to cut car theft

Rochdale police have launched an awareness raising campaign in an attempt to drive down car theft around Rochdale train station.

Officers from the Rochdale South division have stepped up patrols around the train station following a spate of car crime which saw 28 incidents of theft and vandalism between the beginning of January and the end of March this year.

Crime prevention packs have been handed out to commuters and drivers will get the chance to have their number plates securely screwed on as part of a safeplate operation planned for 25 May.

Inspector Michelle Hughes, from the Rochdale South police team, said:” Thieves often steal number plates so that they can use them to commit other crimes, like robberies and burglaries and more recently, petrol theft.

“Our security number plate screws make it impossible for thieves to remove number plates in this way, so we make it harder for criminals to commit crime and protect members of the public. We’d encourage as many people as possible to come along and take advantage of this free service”

The safer plates operation will be taking place on the car park at the Masonic Lodge in Richard Street, Rochdale, just near the fire station. Drivers can pop in anytime between 3 and 7pm on the day.

Andy Glover, Acting Manager of the Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership, said: “We’d encourage anyone who leaves their car parked on the street to remove items from public view. Even if something isn’t worth much to you, it could be worth a lot to a thief.

“We’d also encourage people to register their valuables on the national property register www.immobilise.com, which enables the police to trace the owners of lost and stolen property.”

To report vehicle crime, call the police on 101 or crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.