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Latest Bulletin from the Mayford Village Society:-

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) in Woking have been targeting vehicle crime over the past few months and since the beginning of February this year they have spotted 867 vehicles which have either been insecure or have had valuable items on display.


Operation Jag has involved the SNT patrolling vehicle crime hotspots and car parks in Woking and taking a proactive approach to prevent a crime occurring. When officers have seen an insecure vehicle or something tempting left in the car such as a laptop, mobile phone or satellite navigation system they have taken proactive steps to identify the owner. This includes using the police national computer or simply knocking on doors to locate and advise owners to lock their vehicles or remove valuables on display.


Since the start of the operation on 1st February 2009, 867 vehicles have been found by the SNT which are either insecure or have items on display. In addition, thirty Police Warning Tri-signs have been placed in "hotspot" areas in Woking warning motorists to lock up their valuables.

Woking’s Crime Reduction Advisor PC Tracy Spencer and other members of the neighbourhood team have held crime prevention stalls at local venues including Focus DIY store in Maybury, Woking Leisure Centre, in the Town Centre and Sainsbury’s Knaphill. As well as giving out crime prevention advice to members of the public, officers have also given away satellite navigation dusters and wipes and portable air fresheners containing warning notices.

PC Tracy Spencer said: "There is a lot you can do to make it difficult for car thieves and reduce your chances of becoming a victim of vehicle crime. Don’t leave any valuable items in your car and this includes the most sought after items such as laptops, mobile phones and satellite navigation systems. Also with any navigation device don’t forget to wipe off any tell tale suction marks which may remain on the windscreen as thieves will look out for these. Vehicle crime can be distressing and can cause a lot of inconvenience so let’s not give criminals an easy ride."

Anyone with information about vehicle crime should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.