Cops tackling Lyttelton crime spike

Lyttelton police said they were tackling a recent spike in motor-vehicle related crimes.

“We are currently engaging in operations to combat the situation,” said police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller.

This after he revealed they had noted a spike in crimes related to motor-vehicles and motorists alike in recent weeks.

“We have noticed a slight spike in terms of the theft of motor vehicles and theft out of motor vehicles in the Lyttelton policing area in the last two to three weeks,” he said.

Miller called on motorists in the community not to leave their valuables on display when they parked their vehicles.

“We would like to remind our community to please not leave their valuables and belongings visible in the vehicle when you go to the shops. Place them in the boot before you begin your journey,” he said.

The thefts out of motor vehicles were reportedly mostly recorded in shopping centres and residential complexes.

Another crime trend Miller said was rearing its ugly head was smash-and-grabs.

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“We would like advise all our road users to be very aware at all robot intersections and stop streets, especially where it is dark at night,” he said.

He said that the perpetrators preferred to strike towards late evening and early in the mornings.

“They would pick an area where there is a field or bush where they can run away and that usually prevents them from being chased.”

Miller further advised motorists to cooperate with smash-and-grab criminals unless their lives were in imminent danger.

“The victim should try and obtain as much information as possible about the suspect.”

“Often in cases like this we do get information later on, during the day, that the suspects are seen hanging around,” Miller said.

He said that a good description of the suspect would be able to assist police to link them to cases.

“We can then arrest the suspects and possibly recover stolen property,” he said.

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Miller also noted that there had also been occasional reports of gate motor theft and security beams stolen from gardens.

He, however, noted that all not incidents were reported to police as victims did not always intend to claim from insurance and therefor felt no need to open a docket and get a case number.

“Crimes should be reported so we can know what is happening the area and work to combat it, not just for case numbers to claim from insurance,” Miller said.

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