Motorists are being urged to make sure they don’t leave any valuables on display in their cars to avoid falling victim to opportunistic thieves in the run-up to Christmas.
Over the last year (16 October 2025 – 15 October 2026), we’ve seen an increase in recorded thefts from motor vehicles, with most of our neighbourhood policing areas seeing a rise in this type of crime.
Some of our most affected areas include City Central, City South, Gedling and Mansfield.
As darker nights draw in, offering thieves a greater window of opportunity to act undetected, we’re reminding drivers to ensure nothing is left on show in their cars that could tempt criminals and to make sure they keep their vehicles locked.
Nottinghamshire Police crime prevention officer Tom Ford said: “We have seen a concerning rise in thefts from motor vehicles across the force area.
“Vehicle crime can have a significant impact on victims. It’s not just the financial loss; it’s also the emotional stress and negative impact on feelings of safety in our communities.
“We’re urging people to be extra vigilant and make it as difficult as possible for criminals to target their vehicles, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
“I cannot emphasise enough the importance of removing all valuables and ensuring that you always lock your vehicle.
“When shopping, you should ensure your vehicle is locked and any valuables left in cars are removed from sight.
“It should go without saying that items such as wallets, handbags, mobile phones, purses, tools and other personal belongings that would be tempting to thieves should never be left in an unattended vehicle.”
He added: “As with all crime, we would also encourage the public to help us by reporting any suspicious activity around vehicles so we can act upon it.
“The eyes and ears of our communities are invaluable to us, and we welcome any information that can help us tackle vehicle crime.
“We’re also urging members of the public to report any suspicious activity around vehicles to us. This helps us make sure we can support our communities and put the right resources in place to help prevent further crimes.
“We would ask anyone who has any details that could help us to get in touch with us immediately by calling 101. If an incident is in progress, call 999.”
