9 August 2012

Partnership patrols in rural car parks

Photo shows (L to R): Duncan Norman - National Trust, Shaun Hackett - Northumberland National Park, Sgt Graham Vickers - Northumbria Police, Vernon Cummings - Northumberland County Council, Jonathan Farries - Forestry Commission.

Visitors to tourist attractions and beauty spots in Northumberland are being reminded about keeping their valuables locked and out of sight when parking up.

A partnership of officers from Northumbria Police, Northumberland National Parks Association, The Forestry Commission, National Trust and Northumberland County Council Local Services will be visiting isolated car parks reminding visitors and tourists to keep their belongings safe and sending out a warning to would be thieves that the car parks are being patrolled.

Increased visitors mean more cars in car parks, many of which are isolated, attracting thieves.

Items left on show can include handbags, cameras, ipods and other valuables which people don’t want to carry.

Sergeant Graham Vickers, of Rothbury and Coquetdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “As the summer holidays approach and visitors will increase to the many Northumberland beauty spots, we’re reminding visitors not to leave valuables on display, keep their vehicles locked and secure bikes even if they’re just leaving them for a minute.

“We’ve teamed up with all our partner agencies in Northumberland to carry out spot checks on car parks across the rural areas.

“We’re also reminding visitors to park considerately and respect the countryside. Anti-social behaviour can also be an issue such as littering or damage caused by barbecues, so again we are asking people who are visiting to be respectful of those who live here.”

Contact:

Sergeant 1883 Graham Vickers
Coquetdale Neighbourhood Policing Team
Rothbury Police Office
alnwick.npt@northumbria.pnn.police.uk