Warning After Attempted Dog Thefts In Cambridgeshire

Dear subscriber, We are sending out an important message following a national rise in dog thefts and a number of attempted burglaries across the north of Cambridgeshire. Between 16 and 23 February, there were several reports of attempted burglaries and concerns around these being a precursor to dog thefts. Nationally there has been an increase in reports of dog thefts, however we have been made aware of incidents and concerns regarding potential attempted dog thefts across north Cambridgeshire, in particular the Thorney and Whittlesey areas. We are urging residents across the whole county to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us. Social media can be a great platform for providing information but it is extremely important this information is passed to us and not just shared on the internet. At least five reports have included seeing a blue Audi A3 in the area of the attempted burglaries and suspicious activity, therefore we are asking members of the public to be on the lookout and report any concerns to us. Advice on how to best protect your pet from thieves: Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times Lock gates using bolts at the top and bottom, along with a heavy-duty padlock Ensure there are no places where dogs or other animals can escape or be pulled through, if they are left in a back garden Never leave your pet in the garden unattended Fit a bell or gate alarm so it makes a sound when someone opens it Purchase a driveway alarm so you are alerted to any visitors, these can also be used in rear gardens Make sure your dog is microchipped and their details are updated so that they can be returned if they are stolen and subsequently found Avoid leaving a dog tied up outside a shop or left alone in a car, even for a few minutes Take lots of photographs of your dog to prove ownership if it’s stolen and then found Report dog theft to police straight away If you have information about a stolen dog or suspicious behaviour, you can report it via our webchat service or by calling 101 if you do not have internet access. For more advice, visit our dedicated dog theft information page. Kind regards,

Message Sent By Lauren Alexander (Police, Senior Communications Officer, Cambridgeshire Constabulary)