GMB Nottingham Panthers join the fight against car crime

The GMB Nottingham Panthers have launched new livery on the official Panthers SMART cars, which promote the safe parking message as part of Operation Mutual.

The SMART Cars will carry the message that the 'Panthers say park safely and remove any valuables'. It follows the CDP sponorship of the Panthers game against Basingstoke Bison in October where the Operation Mutual safe parking message was launched. The Panthers won that game 5-2.

Operation Mutual has been very successful since launching in October, and has seen car crime (Theft from Vehicle, Theft of Vehicle and Criminal Damage to Vehicle) was down in October by 17.25% on last year and 17.40% in November on 2006. This equates to 202 fewer crimes in October and 194 fewer in November.

Operation Mutual runs to early 2008 and sees the Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership and the South Nottinghamshire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships working together to reduce the number of items stolen from vehicles, the amount of vehicles damaged and stolen in the city and south Nottinghamshire area.



Other successes of Operation Mutual to date, include:

• Capture Van containing a police dog has been used in targeted locations.
• Capture Car continues to be deployed in key locations across the city and south.
• Known car crime offenders monitored, along side criminal prosecutions civil actions are also being taken against known car crime offenders.
• Installation of new car crime prevention signage in key locations.
• Car Crime Roadshows have been taking place at numerous car parks across the city and south Nottinghamshire. They have been well received by motorists who have received car crime reduction information.
• 10,000 car air fresheners carrying crime prevention messages handed out at a number of events.
• High visibility and covert patrols in various locations.
• Cutting back of vegetation and improving environmental factors.
• Letters have been sent to all top locations to encourage partnership working between private and public sectors.
• Extra posters and signage is being displayed in car parks and on street parking meters.
• High profile enforcement Capture Van posters are being put in Custody Suites and Police Stations.
• A number of second hand shops have been visited by police officers and warned about the dangers of selling stolen goods.