THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner has launched a campaign aimed at helping residents avoid vehicle and tool theft in Thames Valley.
Matthew Barber is working with Thames Valley Police and partners, including retailers and hoteliers, on a campaign to raise awareness of precautions residents can take to help reduce the risk.
It seeks to build on an overall downward trend in the levels of recorded vehicle crime, which has also see theft from vehicle incidents reduced by 100 across Thames Valley in the last 12 months (656 in September last year to 552 in August 2025.)
In those same 12 months, there have been 3,496 vehicle thefts and 6,666 thefts from vehicles in total.
The campaign will see materials such as posters placed in hotspot locations–such as Park and Rides, shopping centres, and hotels–as well as in-person events for tradespeople.
The OPCC will also share a host of resources across its communication channels aimed at vehicle owners.
Announcing the campaign, PCC Matthew Barber said: “This dedicated crime prevention campaign, in support of ongoing policing activity, aims to inform residents about how to keep vehicles and tools safe from criminals.
“Vehicle crime is currently down in the Thames Valley compared to last year. However, I want this trend to continue which is why it remains a priority in my Police and Crime Plan. Vehicle crime has a significant impact on victims and on feelings of safety in our communities which undermines public confidence.
“The campaign will consist of a clear car advice posters and literature with more detailed advice and guidance, which will be distributed through our partners and stakeholders. In addition we will host a number of tool marking events providing tradespeople an opportunity to speak to industry experts and have their tools protectively marked, improving the chances of them being returned in the event that they are stolen.
“Of course, crime prevention forms only one part of tacking vehicle crime and over the coming months I will be publishing a Vehicle Crime Strategy detailing a coordinated approach and policing response.”
More information is available via: thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/vehiclecrime
Among the advice the OPCC is issuing is to remove valuables, including things like shopping bags and device holders, from vehicles when parking.
Cars should be parked in well-lit areas and locked carefully, inclusing making sure windows are closed.
Keys should be stored a good distance from cars and away from front doors and windows–ideally in a screened or signal-blocking pouch for wireless fobs.
