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The New Forest is a wonderful destination for everyone to enjoy the outdoors in the warmer months, and we want you to continue enjoying it and that is why we are launching a summer campaign to keep your possessions safe. The summer is also a time when thieves take the opportunity to target bikes and steal items from vehicles. The campaign will be focusing on raising awareness and providing crime prevention advice to keep your possessions secure and prevent this from happening to you. Our officers will be: Carrying out high-visibility patrols across the New ForestWorking closely with partners and businessesVisiting various locations to engage with tourists and residents to provide advice and resourcesCarrying out checks of bikes and vehicles to see if they have adequate security in place and provide information to the owner on how to improveTheft often occurs when bikes aren’t locked securely with a robust locking mechanism to a solid structure fixed to the ground or the bike itself isn’t registered. Theft from motor vehicles happen usually because items, even non-valuables, are left inside or because doors are left unlocked and the windows open. There are two bike registering events taking place this summer: Wednesday 20 August at 10am at the East Boldre Community Stores, Chapel Lane, East Boldre, SO42 7WPSaturday 27 September at 11am at the Pass the PEDALL Festival, New Park, Brockenhurst, SO42 7QH Here are some easy ways to protect your bike:Ensure you use an approved Sold Secure "D" lock to secure your bike. Visit www.soldsecure.com for more information.Away from home lock your bike (through the frame) to a solid structure that is fixed to the ground, preferably a dedicated bike rack. Always lock your bike even if you’re only leaving it for a couple of minutes.Make the locked bike difficult to manoeuvre. Minimise any gaps between the lock and bike frame.Park your bike in a well-lit busy area that is covered by CCTV.If you have any quick-release items on your bike, make sure you take them with you or lock them to the bike.Register and mark your bike using a Bike Register marking kit (overt or covert types are available) www.bikeregister.com. The police use this site to reunite a stolen or lost bicycle with its rightful owner.Always lock your bike at home, even when it is in your garage. Use the same level of security as you would leaving your bike in public. Consider using a ground anchor for additional security. Here are some easy ways to secure your vehicle:Try to park in sign-posted parking areas.Be cautious about parking your car in isolation. Thieves can be put off when other people are around.Do not leave anything in your vehicle. A jacket or coat left behind may be of very little value to you, but a thief may think it has been used to hide a laptop or handbag and will break into your vehicle to find out.Take items with you rather than locking them in the boot, you can’t be sure who has seen you do this.Before you leave home, think about what you need and leave any unnecessary items of value at home.Make sure you do not leave documents which have your personal details on in your vehicle.Remember to lock all windows and sunroofs and lock all doors. Try the handle to check it's locked. Make use of any security products you might have such as steering locks.Whilst enjoying the sights make sure you keep your bag and possessions with you.Report anything suspicious by calling 101 or by visiting our website. Always call 999 in an emergency. 
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