MOTORISTS are being encouraged to tune in to a free radio and satellite navigation system marking scheme.
The initiative by Chester Inner Neighbourhood Policing Unit officers is aimed at putting the brakes on opportunist thieves by making equipment stolen from cars harder to sell on by property marking them.
Hundreds of motorists in Northwich benefited from a similar scheme run earlier in the year. Now city Community Action and Investigation Team officers are driving efforts to give Chester folk a helping hand too.
The work has attracted the support of managers at the local store Halfords and a security awareness event takes place in the Greyhound Retail Park branch at Sealand Road, Chester tomorrow from 10am-3pm.
DS Barry Brown said: 'Similar events in other parts of the county have proved to be a great success. They went a long way towards raising people's awareness of vehicle crime and helping them help themselves reduce the risks of becoming a victim. I'm hopeful we can achieve similar results in Chester.
'We're offering to mark stereos and sat navs and I hope lots of people take advantage of that and come along to see us.
'The markings won't show on the items however a highly-visible sticker will be placed in the car window of each car serviced to send out a clear message to thieves that items in the car are protected.
'This means thieves will have a real difficult time selling the equipment on.'
* To find out more about the marking service, leave a message for PC Melia or DS Brown on 0845 458 6384.
