8th October 2009

Motorists in Kent have accused an anti-car crime scheme of alerting potential offenders to valuables in their vehicles.

The Kent Police initiative was criticised for leaving yellow tickets on parked or unattended cars to let drivers know that items such as mobile phones or sat navs were on display.

Drivers were concerned that this would create a higher risk of the car being broken into and that their car insurance would increase.

Following concern from motorists the initiative, which was introduced in the western part of the county including Tunbridge Wells, is now being reviewed by Kent Police.

Andrew Howard, for the AA, said that he understood why Kent Police were carrying out the initiative, but that they must be aware that the tickets may be advertising valuable items in cars to potential criminals.

Chief Superintendent Mark Salisbury, Kent Police’s area commander for West Kent, said the scheme was now being reviewed "because we do not want people to be fearful of becoming a victim of vehicle crime thinking this leaflet is in some way responsible".

Defending the scheme, he said: "They are designed to look like parking tickets so they don’t advertise the fact that the vehicle is vulnerable and the information about their property can only be seen by removing the sticky bag and opening it to reveal the leaflet."

He maintained there had been a 20% reduction in thefts from vehicles during the first three months the leaflets were used.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

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