Car security at popular sites

[Tony_B]

Over the Christmas break, a few of us took a walk along the old railway line from Penwyllt to Coelbren, to go and see the impressive post-downpour Henryhd falls. We arrived at the car park to find two cars with freshly smashed rear windows, and the owners had their post-Christmas holiday in Wales spoilt by the loss of handbags and other valuables, not to mention the damage to the vehicles. The police officer who attended told us that three other cars had been targeted at another local waterfall on the same day.

Sadly it would seem necessary to remind everyone of the risks of leaving cars unattended in remote spots. Waterfalls and other touristy places are clearly the obvious targets, but no doubt the local pond-life won't take long to cotton on to the potential pickings in places where cavers park. 

 

[Maj]

IIRC when these thefts start occurring they are usually carried out by the same individuals in an area, which would be implied on this occasion by the number of vehicles targeted in a couple of different sites. Once the reprobates are caught the car break-ins suddenly stop. So if/when the break-ins migrate to caving car parking areas, is it time to mount a sting operation (video and photo evidence) to instantly nip it in the bud.

Although better still not leave cars and valuables unattended in risky areas in the first place. But this is not always practical.


Maj.