FIRST: You will see below a large number of cars broken into across Maidenhead. A lot were simply left unlocked. ‘Opportunist Thieves’ always take the easiest options. If they hear from others that certain roads often have unlocked cars, it will act as a ‘Crime Attractor’. They will then just walk along roads, trying car door handles. If they find a unlocked car, they will get in and search it. Usually they find cash in the central console and designer sunglasses – if nothing else. In Ascot we have had purses and handbags stolen and here, a wallet.
PLEASE – PLEASE – always lock your car when you park up
AND
LEAVE NOTHING ON DISPLAY – That includes a few coins in the central console or designer sunglasses left on the dashboard.
You know it makes sense – while checking out and trying car door handles – they are also looking up and down driveways !!!
DON’T LET IT BE YOU
NEXT: A strange Sextortion case.
A local man has been contacted by someone demanding money. They included a link to a new Facebook group page, which had a video of the victim in the shower. The victim says he has never been videoed in the shower and the video is a fake. The Scammer has included a number of his Facebook friends on the new group and they have viewed the video. The scammer is demanding money, to remove the video and close the group. This has caused a great deal of embarrassment. If this happens to you, please report it to us as soon as possible.
NEXT:- I have been asked to circulate the following information re the theft of Catalytic Converters:-
Advice to motorists following a rise of catalytic converter thefts
Thefts of catalytic converters have been increasing and with this, we have seen a rise in these offences across Windsor, Maidenhead, Ascot. The south of Maidenhead has been particularly targeted, including the areas of Larchfield, Cox Green and Boyn Hill.
Catalytic converters are stolen as they contain Rhodium and Palladium. The prices of these materials increased in 2020 and this is what is believed to have contributed to the rise in the number of thefts.
Hybrid vehicles, such as Toyotas, Hondas and Lexus are a popular target for criminals as these converters are easier to access. In addition, they are cleaner and therefore the metals contained within are less likely to corrode.
The process of stealing the converters is very quick. Cars are jacked up and basic tools are used, loud grinding noises are often reported by witnesses. Criminals usually arrive in a vehicle that will be parked close by.
Sergeant Sarah Noah, based at Maidenhead police station, said: “Those who steal catalytic converters are always on the lookout for an easy target and we want to make sure that people know how to protect their vehicles and avoid expensive repair bills.
“If your catalytic converter has been stolen – or you suspect you have seen such a crime taking place – please report it to us. We will investigate and will carry out regular patrols in areas that we believe are being specifically targeted.”
How to protect your vehicle:
If the catalytic convertor is at the front of your car, park with your bonnet close to a wall and if at the back, with the rear of your car to the wall.
Follow this advice when parking in public car parks, such as supermarkets. It is also advised to park alongside other cars and in view of any CCTV at the location.
CRIME
I have attached reference numbers to each crime report. If you live in the vicinity of any of the crimes mentioned and have CCTV or a video doorbell, can you please check the footage. If you have any that might be of interest to the police, can you please make contact with us, quoting reference number given.
I have added a new email address below. The first email address is directly to your local Neighbourhood Team. The second is to our investigation team. Please use it to send any intelligence / video doorbell / CCTV footage you may have, which is relevant to any of the crimes lists below - quoting the reference number.
Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email -
www.crimestoppers-uk.orgMAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk28/3 – 29/3 Sunday 8 a.m. / Monday 11 a.m. Grenfell Road. Unused offices entered via fire doors and searched. Routers from each floor stolen. Ref, No: 43210131509
30/3 Tuesday 7.20 a.m. Pintail Way. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS – wallet and contents stolen. The bank cards have been used. Ref. No: 43210132939
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
30/3 Tuesday 10.10 p.m. Blackamoor Lane. A witness saw two men acting in a suspicious manner. One kept watch, while the other walked onto a driveway and picked up a stone, possibly to smash the car window. The witness shouted and both men ran to their bikes nearby and rode away. The police were called and attended immediately. They carried out an area search and located two men matching the descriptions given, who made off from them. They were found and arrested, on suspicion of attempted theft from a motor vehicle. Ref. No: 43210134659
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBISHAM,
COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
14/3 Quarrywood Road. Rowing / sculling blades stolen. Ref. No: 43210198034
29/3 Monday 3.30 p.m. / 6.05 p.m. Popes Lane. Jeep stolen from outside a home. It was later found and recovered from St. Peter’s Road. Ref. No: 43210132401
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
29/3 Monday midnight / 8 a.m. Sylvester Road. Van driver’s window smashed. Ref. No: 43210133026
30/3 Tuesday 3.35 a.m. Green Leys. The owner was at home and heard a noise. They looked out and saw a man trying to smash their car window. The man realised he had been seen and made off. He is described as white, wearing a black duffel coat and a face mask. Police attended immediately and found another car with its window smashed. They made contact with the owner who checked the car and found 2 old mobile phones had been stolen. Ref. No: 43210132864
30/3 Tuesday 4.50 a.m. Aldebury Road. Multiple cars broken into. 1. Van side window smashed. The owner heard the noise, looked out and shouted. The man made off. He is described as about 5’9’’, wearing a hoody and jeans. Ref. No: 43210132888 2. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS – searched – nothing stolen. Ref. No: 43210133011 3. Car window smashed and bag of loose change stolen. Ref. No: 43210133015 4. The owner found smears over their windows, where someone had looked inside the car – nothing stolen. Ref. No: 43210133027
30/3 Tuesday 8.20 a.m. Harrow Close. The aggrieved has Video doorbell footage of a man climbing over his garden fence and checking out his garden, van and car – both had been left unlocked. Tools stolen from the van. The man is described as late 20’s, 5’8’’, medium build, wearing a grey hoody and tracksuit bottoms with a black back pack into which he placed the stolen items. Ref. No: 43210133028
30/3 Tuesday 3.40 a.m. Barn Close. The owner has video doorbell footage of a man walking along the road, trying car door handles. Ref. No: 4321013234
30/3 Tuesday 3 a.m. /4.30 a.m. Partridge Mead. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS – the aggrieved was notified by his bank that his cards had been used illegally. The aggrieved then checked his video doorbell footage. It showed a small man looking into their car with a torch. Wallet and aftershave stolen. Ref. No: 43210133332
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
28/3 – 29/3 Sunday 6 p.m. / Monday 7.30 a.m. Courtlands. Attempted garage break – door damaged – no entry gained and nothing stolen. Ref. No: 43210131229
29/3 Monday 4.50 p.m. Brunel Close. Car tyres slashed. Ref. No: 432101
26/3 – 29/3 Friday midnight / Monday 8 a.m. Clare Road. Car wing mirror vandalised. Ref. No: 43210132518
28/3 – 29/3 Sunday 0.10 a.m. / Monday 2.45 p.m. King’s Grove. Wing mirror vandalised. Ref. No: 43210133288
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT
