Police warning after crime wave around Littlehampton

In the past week five motorbikes where stolen from across Littlehampton, Wick, Rustington and East Preston.

There have also been a number of thefts and other vehicle-related crimes which has prompted the police warning.

Sergeant Ian Cheesman of Littlehampton neighbourhood policing team said: “Most vehicle crime is done by opportunist thieves.

‘Easy target’

“Motorbikes and scooters can be an easy target for thieves if they are not secured properly as they can be wheeled away or put into a van within seconds.

“The last thing any rider wants is for their pride and joy to be stolen.

“It is important to take steps to protect your vehicle and choose appropriate and effective security options.

“If your motorbike or scooter doesn’t already have one, get a Thatcham-approved electronic immobiliser professionally fitted.

“If you have a security device fitted, always use it. A wide variety of locks can be used, such as chains or padlocks, disc locks and D locks.

“The most important thing to remember is to secure your motorbike to a solid object that can’t be moved.

“When you are not using your motorbike or scooter, put it in your garage or a secure outbuilding with a fixed or ground anchor to secure it to inside the building.

Security

“If you can, fit a good lock and an alarm system to your garage or outbuilding.

“Don’t leave your garage open and make sure your vehicle is covered up, even when you are at home.”

Overnight between April 3 and 4 a blue Honda motorbike was stolen from East Street, Littlehampton, and it was recovered in Ford Road, Ford.

Over the same period of time a Silver Yamaha motorbike was stolen from Bluebell Drive, Littlehampton, and was found damaged in nearby Brookfield Park.

Money was also stolen from an insecure vehicle in Bluebell Drive.

Another bike reported stolen overnight from Elspring Mead, Wick.

It is described as red and yellow sports bike but was recovered in Joyce Close.

A Vauxhall Corsa broken into in Peregrine Road but nothing was stolen.

On April 4 at around 4am a Suzuki 125cc moped was stolen from Mill Lane, Wick.

Crimes linked

Overnight between April 5 and 6, a red Nissan Micra was stolen from a carpark in Ascot Way, Rustington.

The car found by a garage compound in Joyce Close and had been set on fire at around 3.30am.

A man in a grey hoodie was seen to get out of the car and leave with another man on a moped.

Call 101 quoting serial 0313 06/04/14 with any information.

A moped was stolen from a garden in Roundstone Crescent, East Preston during the same night.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said that the force was linking the crimes.

Sgt Cheesman added: “We are urging the public to be vigilant and report any people seen in suspicious circumstances with the time and as much information as you can provide.

“Someone knows the names of the individuals involved and we hope the community do the right thing and pass us that information.

“Please call 101 quoting serial 0271 6/4.”