You'd be barking mad if you think you could tackle Rex, our Capture Dog

Park safely and always remove any valuables - new campaign launched to drive down car crime.

Car thieves run the risk of coming face to face with a police dog if they break into vehicles in the city or south Nottinghamshire.

The ´Capture Dog´ is just one tactic being used in a multi-agency operation to drive down car crime in Nottingham and its conurbation.

From mid-October to early next year, Operation Mutual will see organisations that make up Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership and the South Nottinghamshire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships work together to reduce the amount of items stolen from vehicles and the number of vehicles damaged and stolen.

Motorists who live, work or who are just visiting the area will see posters and crime reduction roadshows at many car parks. Staff from a number of agencies will be on hand to offer practical advice on a range of issues from how drivers can best protect their vehicles to where the safer car parks are in the county.

The campaign´s main messages are:

• Don´t leave valuables on display in your vehicle.
• Use car alarms and steering locks if you have them.
• Park in well-lit areas, next to other vehicles.
• Use safer car parks where possible.

Traditionally, vehicle crime increases from October through to December, particularly theft from vehicles. This is partially due to the fact more people are going into town centre areas socialising or shopping in the run up to the festive season and leaving things like shopping, presents and sat navs in their cars.

Divisional Commander for the City Division, Chief Superintendent Peter Moyes says:

The only way we can effectively tackle car crime is by working together with other agencies. By pooling resources and sharing expertise we will have a significant impact on disrupting criminal activity, which tends to peak from this time of year up to December.

The campaign also aims to raise awareness of the problem with residents, as well as visitors and shoppers to Nottingham and the conurbation area, enabling them act on crime reduction information and to make informed choices.

Chief Superintendent John Busuttil, Divisional Commander for South Nottinghamshire Division adds:

A whole host of enforcement activity is taking place in both areas from executing warrants to recover stolen property to running targeted operations to catch prolific autocrime offenders. Patrols will focus on car parks and on street parking, where the majority of car crime takes place.

There will also be crime prevention roadshows held regularly over the next three months to make the public aware of what they can do to protect their vehicles - like removing any valuables such as sat navs and car radios.

If you commit car crime in the county, you can expect a visit from us soon.

On Tuesday 23rd October, the Evening Post will be giving away in-car air fresheners with the 'Park Safely' message on it, to give motorists a constant reminder to take care of valuables.

The advert which will appear in Tuesday´s Evening Post can be downloaded from this page.