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Dear Resident I have recently returned from annual leave and completed a weekly crime review for the beat. Unfortunately, there has been a residential burglary in Bottesford, where car keys were the target resulting in the theft of a high‑performance vehicle, which has since been recovered by police. This offence occurred on Thursday 2nd April 2026, between 4:00am and 5:00am. In addition to this, two further unsuccessful attempts were made in the same morning in Harston between 3:00am and 4:00am, and a further attempt in Bottesford between 6:30am and 7:00am. An investigation remains ongoing, with assistance from neighbouring forces. Further recent incidents also include: The theft of a trailer and a chainsaw from Eastwell Road, Knipton, which occurred between 3:00am and 4:30am on Wednesday 1 April 2026The theft of a JCB dumper from a building site in Long Clawson on Sunday 5th April, which has also since been recovered. For advice and information please view our website: Preventing car and vehicle theft | Crime Prevention | Leicestershire Police Lock your vehicle- Always lock your vehicle, even when parked on your drive or when briefly stopping (e.g. filling up)
- Check that all windows and sunroofs are fully closed
- Do not leave your vehicle running unattended while de‑icing or warming it up – this is illegal and may invalidate your insurance
- If your vehicle has auto‑folding wing mirrors, ensure they are folded to confirm the vehicle is locked
- Criminals actively look for vehicles with mirrors still out, as this suggests the car is unlocked
Keep your keys safe- Keep vehicle keys out of sight at home and away from doors and windows
- Do not leave keys near the front door where they could be hooked through the letterbox
- Never leave keys unattended or out of sight when meeting potential buyers – keys can be cloned
Keyless entry – understand the risk- Keyless entry vehicles unlock when the key is nearby, even if it’s inside a pocket or bag
- Thieves can use ‘relay theft’ methods to capture the key signal from several metres away
- Vehicle theft can occur even when both the car and your home are locked
Protect keyless entry vehicles- Keep all vehicle keys and spares well away from the vehicle when at home
- Store keys in a signal‑blocking pouch (e.g. a Faraday bag) and test it every few months
- Reprogram keys when purchasing a second‑hand vehicle
Where possible, disable wireless signals on the key fob when it is not in use Consider fitting machinery and vehicles with a tracking device and/or tagging system. Tracker systems can increase the chances of recovery of your vehicle if it is stolen. Many systems activate once the vehicle is stolen and track it via GPS and other systems. Secured by Design - Relay Theft
If you notice anything suspicious or believe an offence is taking place, please call 999. For non‑emergency information, contact 101 or report online. Burglary is a particularly invasive crime that can have a lasting impact on victims. If you have been a victim and need support and help, you should have been offered the services of Victim Support. You may have declined at the time, or not noticed the offer, but can refer yourself at any time by visiting: Victim First or calling 0800 953 9595 | 
