Atherton Online

Police in Wigan are urging local residents to keep their vehicles secure at all times. 

Residents are reminded to make sure windows are locked and all valuables are out of sight, this includes iPods, hangbags, laptops, mobile phone chargers, sat navs and their mounting cradle. 

Wendy O’Neil Crime Reduction Advisor said: “We urge people not to leave anything of value displayed in their vehicles. Even a coat or bag might tempt a thief to break in. Lock your possessions in the boot or better still remove them completely from the vehicle. It only takes a few seconds to remove your valuables. Don’t make it easy for criminals. “ 

Police are issuing the following tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of car crime: 

• - Never leave a car door unlocked or a window or sunroof open even at a filling station or outside a shop. 

• - Never leave credit cards or cheque books in the glove compartment and don’t leave the vehicle documents in the car. 
• - Security mark your property. Make a note of the serial numbers and keep them in a safe place.  You can register mobile phones and sat navs on www.immobolise.com
• - If you have access to a garage please use this to park your vehicle. 
• - If you do not access to a garage then please park your vehicle in a highly visible location. 
• - When alarming your vehicle utilising a remote control, always do the additional physical door check to ensure the alarm has activated. 
• - When parking in car parks, try to use a car park that is part of the police approved ‘Safer Car Parks’ scheme.
•  This scheme aims to make car parks safer by design.

The Wigan Borough has the following car parks that have achieved the award. 

•        ¨        Church Street, Wigan 
•        ¨        Doctor’s Nook, Leigh 
•        ¨        The Galleries, Wigan 
•        ¨        Lord Street, Leigh 
•        ¨        Spinning Gate, Leigh 
•        ¨        Water Street, Wigan 
•        ¨        Chapel Lane, Wigan 
•        ¨        Library car park, Leigh 
•        ¨        Pennyhurst Street, Wigan 
•        ¨        Peppermill Lane, Wigan 
•        ¨        Sovereign Road, Wigan 

The Wigan Borough also has three car parks belonging to the 
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust. 

•        ¨        Freckleton Street 
•        ¨        Thomas Linacre Centre 
•        ¨        Whelley Hospital 

To report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit www.gmp.police.uk. 

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously with information about crime on 0800 555 111.  Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information.  Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.