Merseyside Police issue warning for drivers during the festive period

Officers are clamping down on car thieves as they step up patrols and offer safety advice to motorists during the festive period.

We are issuing safety advice as part of our Winter of Action taking place between 1 December 2025 and 31 January 2026 which is a national initiative to help keep communities safe during the festive season and into the New Year.

Superintendent Matthew Moscrop, Force Lead for Vehicle Crime said:

“We are asking anyone who owns or drives a car, van or motorcycle to be vigilant over the festive season. By taking simple but vital steps to protect your vehicle and belongings you can reduce the risk of theft. We would also encourage anyone who sees any suspicious behaviour to report it to us so that we can help ensure Christmas and the New Year are remembered for the right reasons.

“As part of Winter of Action officers will be patrolling around busy areas in town centres in Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens, Wirral and Sefton are giving out information and leaflets with safety advice on for drivers to help prevent crime.

“We know that thefts of and from cars across Merseyside is a concern, particularly with keyless entry, which is not an opportunist crime but also part of the criminal activity of organised crime groups (OCGs). OCGs will target cars outside homes as they know they can use equipment that can remotely access your vehicle so we would advise owners to put their keys in a Faraday Pouch which is a specialises pouch or box that blocks all electronic signals, creating a shield to protect electronic devices from accessing your vehicle.

“When you are out and about shopping, make sure you take your valuables with you, but if you can’t put them out of sight so they are safe.  In winter I would urge people not to leave their vehicle unattended when using their engine to help clear windscreens and warm up their car, if it is taken when it is left like this your insurance company may not pay out and not only will you have no car but you may find you also have to foot the bill yourself to replace it.

“We have lots of advice on our website where you can find tips on keeping your car safe, we will also be handing out leaflets with safety measures on during our uniformed patrols so please come and talk to us about crime prevention and reporting any thefts to us.”

Advice includes:

• Lock it or lose it – lock your vehicle and check you haven’t left and windows or the sunroof open
• Lock it. Pouch. It Keep it. Use a Faraday Pouch to help prevent keyless entry car theft – it blocks the electronic signal criminals can use to remotely access your vehicle
• Take it. Hide it. Keep it.  It is always best to take your valuables with you, but if you can’t, put them out of sight
• Do not leave your engine running unattended when de-icing or warming up your car.  If someone takes it while left like this, your insurer may not pay out
• Park in a well-lit area. If possible, park in illuminated and staffed car parks
• Fit good in-car security locks, such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks
• Keep your keys safe and out of view at home and away from your front door
• Double check electronic locking as devices can be used to jam the electronic signal from your key fob to lock your vehicle.  Always manually check your vehicle has locked before walking away

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also call 101 or DM us @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.

Find out more on the Merseyside Police website.

Find out whats on across Liverpool this Christmas here.

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