Operation Magpie – keep what’s yours

A thief only needs seconds to take what’s yours, so we’re launching our annual campaign, Operation Magpie, to help people steer clear of opportunistic crime. 

It’s got one simple message: Lock it. Zip it. Keep it.

Opportunistic thieves and burglars are waiting for you to forget to zip up a handbag, leave the front door unlocked if you’re out in the garden, or become distracted at the cashpoint.

Tackling opportunistic crime is a force-wide effort. Operation Magpie includes tips from our dedicated Crime Prevention Team to help you keep hold of what’s yours, and you will see officers patrolling their communities at peak times as a deterrent to thieves who may try to take advantage of busy shopping centres, beach fronts, visitor attractions, and bars and restaurants. 

They are supported by officers from our investigative teams, dog units, and tactical teams – to name a few – who respond swiftly to incidents and investigate crime and keep people safe, as well as officers and staff who proactively engage with offenders  released on prison on licence who are living in our communities. 

Our licencing team also works with businesses and licensed premises to provide advice on crime prevention measures, and our Neighbourhood Policing Team will visit vulnerable residents in the community as well as community groups to provide advice and guidance.  

We are also encouraging people to follow our social media pages, where we will be posting advice throughout spring and summer. Here are our top tips:

• Don’t leave handbags or other valuables unattended in bars, restaurants or clubs, even if you’re nearby. Thieves only need seconds.
• Be mindful of what you are posting on social media. If your friends and family know when you are going away, so could a criminal.
• Be aware of who is around you at the cash machine; cover the keypad with your hand before entering a pin; and put cash away immediately. 
• Keep wallets, purses and phones in a zipped pocket or bag, and not in your back pocket.
• Don’t make your home, holiday home or caravan a shop window –  make sure  you don’t leave valuables in view at your home, and lock windows and doors (even if you are home). 
• Do not keep large sums of cash at your property. If this is unavoidable, ensure it is locked away in a safe.
• Secure gas bottles with padlocks if you are holidaying with a caravan.
• Always lock your vehicle and never leave anything on view, such as Sat Navs, wallets, presents, or cash.
• When you get home, place your keys and wallets away from letterboxes, either in a drawer or upstairs. If you can, use a Faraday bag to protect bank cards and electronic keys.

Follow our tips to give yourself the best chance of steering clear of criminals. If you come across anything suspicious, please contact 101 or 999 in an emergency.