Company finance departments are being advised by the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership to remind staff about taking care of company property after an increase in thefts from vehicles in the district.

And, the Partnership says, the offenders do not have to take any chances – because items such as laptops and satellite navigation devices are being left on full view in vehicles.

Partnership Sergeant Andy Wright says: “Cases we have dealt with over the last few months have virtually all involved theft of items visible to anyone walking past the vehicle. They have been open invitations.

“What is also noticeable is that in a good number of cases the property stolen is not owned by the victim and because the goods taken belong to their company rather than them they will be replaced without the individual keepers incurring any personal cost.

“We think it might be an idea for companies to remind their staff that ultimately losses such as these impact on profits and so on everyone within the company.

“The current concerns about identity theft and data protection issues highlight the importance of ensuring all measures are taken to secure personal information. Simple common sense actions can minimise this risk.”

Incidents of these types of thefts from vehicles have been happening throughout the district, with a particular concentration in rural communities that often serve as home to professionals.

“Not everyone is blasé about such incidents but certainly some are and we hope by making companies aware of this we will reduce the number of cases.

“The reminder not to leave valuables such as laptops and satellite navigation devices on view in vehicles goes to everyone, not just those whose companies own the items,” Sgt Wright concluded.