Warwickshire News Mine

It’s part of an initiative by Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council and Warwickshire Police’s Safer Neighbourhood teams to improve community safety.

Five hundred tokens, which can be used instead of £1 coins to borrow supermarket trolleys and secure gym lockers, have been produced to remind people to be aware of their own personal safety and to keep their valuables safe.

The tokens, which have been funded by Warwick District Council through the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, are embossed with the messages “Have I removed my Sat Nav and valuables?” on one side and “Did I fit my steering lock?” on the other.

Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police’s Safer Neighbourhoods Team have distributed the tokens in and around Warwick district. Iceland in Leamington is just one of the supermarkets where the tokens can be used.

Police Sergeant Andy Scruton from Leamington South Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We hope the tokens will be a simple reminder to people when they go shopping or to the gym to secure their car and remove or hide their valuables from view.

"Satellite navigation systems are particularly tempting to car thieves, so it is unwise to leave one out on view in your car, but it is easy to forget to remove it.”

Katie Western, Community Safety Projects Officer at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The tokens are very practical, as you can keep them on your car keys and don’t need to search around for a £1 coin when you’re outside the supermarket or even in the gym.

"This has the added benefit that people aren’t standing around with their purses and wallets in full view, which could be tempting to potential thieves.”
So far, over a hundred of the trolley coins have been handed out in Leamington, with many of them distributed in Russell Terrace, Ranelagh Terrace, Leam Terrace and Lawford Road.

The initiative has been launched to try and help keep car crime low in Warwick district and improve individuals’ personal safety in the town.

Sergeant Scruton concluded: “People can help prevent themselves from becoming a victim of crime by taking a few simple steps, such as not leaving valuables on show and just being aware of their own personal safety.

"Together we are determined to further reduce crime and keep crime levels down in Warwick district.”

Link to WCC