MOTORISTS in Ipswich are today being warned to look after their cars today after vehicle crime in Ipswich nearly doubled in just one week.Figures from Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch show there were 33 crimes committed in the town involving cars in the week from September 8 to 14.

MOTORISTS in Ipswich are today being warned to look after their cars today after vehicle crime in Ipswich nearly doubled in just one week.

Figures from Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch show there were 33 crimes committed in the town involving cars in the week from September 8 to 14.

Then in the week of September 15 to 21 this number surged to 58.

The crimes included vehicles being stolen, thefts from vehicles, attempted theft of vehicles and from vehicles and criminal damage to vehicles.

Pc Tony Fisher from Suffolk police's crime reduction and community unit said: “The things people should be doing are the very, very basic stuff.

“Make sure valuables are kept away and out of sight, if you can take them out then do; I still see satellite navigation systems and mobile phones left in cars.

“Also keep your doors and windows locked at all times and don't even keep change in the pockets because people might cause £50 or £60 worth of damage to your car just for a couple of quid.

“When I park my car I push in the wing mirrors in so if someone drunk walks past they're less likely to damage them.

“And if you mark your valuables we have much more chance of getting them back to you if they're ever recovered.”

However he admitted that whatever people did to protect themselves there would still be some car crime, adding: “Often it is the family cars that are stolen because they don't stand out.

“I don't like to call it joyriding because it brings nothing but misery but it will always happen, that is why you have to do everything you can to make it less likely.”

And he advised owners of vans which stored valuables to park them up against a wall at night, making it harder for thieves to get inside.

Weblink: www.suffolk.police.uk