Spate of taxi break-ins prompts £100 rewardA SPATE of vandalism on taxis has hit parts of Newbury and Hungerford in recent weeks, prompting a £100 reward for anyone who can provide information on the culprits.
Seven incidents have been reported to Thames Valley Police since May 15, the most recent of which occurring overnight last Thursday.
Among the items stolen are large amounts of cash, satellite navigation systems and personal documents, and in most instances the drivers window has been smashed to gain access.
Now, the chairman of the West Berkshire Hackney and Private Hire Association, Ashley Vass (pictured), is offering a £100 reward to anyone who can provide information to lead to the arrest of those responsible, and has issued a stark warning to vehicle owners to not leave valuables on show.
“Don’t leave things on display because this entices criminals to break into your vehicles,” he says. “Leave compartments open so people can see [they are] empty.
“I’m offering £100 for information for the catching of the culprits.”
The break-ins that the police have so far been alerted to are:
A silver Ford Mondeo in Sanden Close, Hungerford, sometime between 9:30pm on Wednesday, May 15 and 7:30am on Thursday, May 16, in which money was stolen.
A silver Vauxhall Vectra parked in Park Street, Hungerford, between 10am on Sunday, May 19 and 4.45am on Monday, May 20, in which a chip-and-pin machine was stolen but later recovered.
A red taxi was broken into in De Montfort Road, Speen, between 10pm and 11pm on Sunday, May 19 during which credit and debit cards and a wallet were taken.
On the same day, a red MG ZS in Dene Way, Donnington, at 11.15pm was also broken into. A wallet and cash was stolen.
On Wednesday, May 22 a beige Skoda Superb was broken into in Riverway, Great Shefford, between 1.55pm and 2.25pm and cash and a cash box taken.
A silver Ford Galaxy was the latest to fall victim to the vandals, parked on a driveway in Deadmans Lane in Greenham overnight on Thursday, June13 to Friday, June 14. The drivers window was smashed with a shovel and the stolen items included a sat nav, a laptop bag, cash and personal documents.
A similar break-in to a Ford Mondeo which was parked in Maple Crescent on Monday, May 13, was also reported to the police, in which cash and a cash box were stolen, however it has not been confirmed if this vehicle was also a taxi.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police, Craig Evry, said the incidents are suspected to be linked, but that no arrests had been made so far.
Anyone who thinks they may have information relating to any of the incidents can contact Mr Vass on 07557 028203 and Thames Valley Police on the non-emergency number 101.
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2013/spat ... 100-reward
Login
Register
FAQ
