Salford Drivers Warned After Spate of Thefts from Cars at Traffic Lights
Women drivers in Manchester and Salford are being warned to keep belongings out of sight in their cars following a spate of handbag thefts.
Police have received a number of reports from women, who have had their passenger side window smashed and their handbag stolen off the seat.
The offenders are often on bikes and will cycle alongside cars waiting in traffic or at traffic lights.
There is usually one or two offenders, both described as white, between 17 and 20 years old and wearing dark coloured clothing. In some incidents, victims have reported a group of youths.
Detective Sergeant Chris Mellors of North Manchester Volume Crime Team said: "We would advise anyone travelling alone to keep all valuables out of sight, place handbags in the boot or if they need to be kept in the car, place them behind the driver's seat.
"When stopping at traffic lights, be aware of who may be around your car whether they are on foot or a bike, noting anything suspicious.
"It is important to stress no one has been injured in any of these incidents, but it has left all the victims incredibly shaken.
"If anyone has any information please get in touch so we can catch the people responsible."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 3240 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Summary of incidents:
Leicester Road at the junction with Great Cheetham Street between 1.20pm and 1.40pm on Thursday 2 October 2008, a woman was stopped at traffic lights when two offenders smash the passenger window with a brick, stealing a handbag from the seat.
Heath Street, Cheetham Hill around 3.30pm on Thursday 2 October 2008, the offender opened the passenger door while the car was stopped at traffic lights and stole a handbag off the seat.
Cheetham Hill Road around 2.30pm on Friday 3 October 2008, a woman was stopped at traffic lights when a man smashed her passenger side window with a crow bar, stealing the victim's handbag from the seat.
Heath Street/Cheetham Hill Road, Cheetham Hill around 4.30pm on Friday 3 October 2008, the offender smashed the passenger side window and tried to steal a handbag from the seat. The victim managed to keep hold of the bag and the offender ran off with nothing.
Great Cheetham Street East, Higher Broughton around 4pm on Friday 3 October 2008, the victim was in traffic when two offenders smashed her passenger side window, stealing a handbag from the seat.
Waterloo Road, Cheetham Hill, around 4.30pm on Friday 3 October 2008, the victim was sat in her car when two offenders smashed the passenger side window and stole a handbag from the seat.
Bury New Road, Cheetham Hill, between 7.30pm and 7.40pm on Sunday 5 October 2008, the victim was stopped at traffic lights when her car was surrounded by about five youths on bikes. Her passenger window was smashed and her handbag stolen from the seat.
Copthall Lane, Cheetham Hill at 4.55pm on Tuesday 7 September 2008, a man was sat in the passenger seat of a car when four men walked up to the car and one smashed the window, trying to steal money from the car. They were not able to get anything and ran off.
Cheetham Hill Road, Lower Crumpsall, around 3.10pm on Thursday 9 October 2008, the victim was in traffic when two cycled up to the car and smashed the passenger side window with a metal baton and stole a handbag from the seat.
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