Motorcycle theives target queuing cars.
 

I was warned about in the North East via my company newsletter at work last night so, I looked it up on the police website and found the following appeal:

"Police are again warning motorists to lock their cars when travelling after thieves stole a handbag from a car in a queue of traffic in Middlesbrough. The woman driver was waiting in stationary traffic on Marton Road at 4.45pm yesterday evening, near to the Belle Vue roundabout, when a man opened the passenger door and grabbed her handbag which was in the footwell.
The woman reached over to stop the thief but he pushed her back into the car and fled with the bag, which contained cash, two mobile phones, bank cards and perfume.
He made off on a waiting motorcycle.
The thieves are described as around 17-years-old, white and thin build, both wearing dark motorcycle leathers and helmets.
A police spokesman said: “It’s easy for thieves to grab a handbag from a car, so we would ask motorists to help to make it more difficult for the thieves.
“Try to keep your handbag out of sight, and make sure than you lock your car, if you are waiting in a queue of traffic.
“If you are targeted by thieves in this way, don’t be afraid to sound your horn to frighten off the thieves.”

Our newsletter went further to say that some central locking door systems will open in the event of a serious crash, if someone is afraid of locking their doors for that reason - advice which I can't honestly confirm as accurate - maybe someone knows otherwise.

Be safe out there peeps.

Regards - Frank

The old advice of hiding things in the boot of your car when parking, seems relevant when for when you're on the move too then!

When in a built area I always lock all the doors and boot.

I've had work mates who put there lap tops in the boot of their car, then when they stop at traffic lights, or similar, someone walks behind the car and opens the boot. By the time you realise what is going on your lap top, bag etc etc has gone and the traffic lights are green and the traffic starts to move. What do you, leave your car running and chase the thief while the traffic tries to move away or move with the traffic and let the thief go :mad: