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Older scams still in use

'Snooper' thefts press release

Despite the fact that ‘snooper' devices are increasingly used by motorists to avoid police speed cameras police in Preston are giving out a rather different warnings to their owners.

The simple message is that these snooper devices are now under real threat from car thieves operating across the city and it is time for owners of these devices to make a real effort to keep them safe.

As we know snooper devices, fitted to the front dashboard of vehicles, are becoming increasingly common amongst motorists across the country. But this increase in popularity is now presenting police in Preston with a rather unexpected problem, the easy picking they present to car thieves.

Over the past weeks police in Preston have seen up to five cars a day broken into as thieves target snooper devices left openly on display on vehicle dashboard.

Inspector John Ainsworth of Lea police says, "Over the past few years as a result of the increases in security of fitted car stereos, along with the various police education initiatives targeting vehicle owners, we have seen a massive reduction in vehicle thefts in the city.

"Recently, due solely to the fact that owners of these snooper devices are leaving their expensive piece of speed camera detection equipment visible on their dashboards, we have seen a significant increase in car crime. But the thieves are targeting these cars due to the one fact - that these cars have expensive devices left on full view. It is an open invitation to a car thief, easy pickings."

Inspector Ainsworth says, “We would make a direct appeal to anyone with one of these devices not to leave them on display in an unattended vehicle.

“You would not leave a mobile phone, lap top computer or cash simply lying in full view on a car seat, so why leave a piece of valuable electronic equipment sat on the dashboard for all to see?
“Remove it and replace it when you return to the vehicle otherwise you are liable to fall victim to this new type of car crime.”

Police are also appealing to anyone who may have been offered a cheap snooper device to make contact with them or call and give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.