PRESS RELEASE FROM SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY
SUFFOLK'S SMART LOGO GOES NATIONWIDE
A logo designed by Suffolk Police is being used to give the nation's shoppers a simple but important crime prevention message. Supermarket giant Safeway has adopted the force's anti-car crime logo which was launched two years ago to front an anti-vehicle crime campaign linking in with a Crimestoppers initiative called SMART (Stop Motorcrime And Ring Today).
The logo, designed by Suffolk Police's artist Darren Bird, shows a sneaky thief making off with cash, a mobile phone and a car stereo after breaking into a car. Now, the sneaky thief will be on display nationwide at the entrance doors of Safeway's 480 stores across the country.
The logo forms part of a poster which carries the message: "Get SMART. Steer clear of vehicle crime. Always lock your car and take valuables with you." It also features the Crimestoppers number of 0800 555 111.
Crime Reduction Officer PC Steve Barrett, who approached Safeway with the idea of displaying the logo, said: "We are delighted that Safeway has adopted our logo and will be displaying it at their stores across the country. "Hopefully it will have the desired effect and will remind shoppers of what they need to do to prevent them becoming victims of car crime." "Taking just a few seconds to make sure your car is locked and that you have your valuables with you can deter the criminal - and save a lot of heartache.
" Jim West, Security Manager at Safeway Stores plc, said: "It's a great initiative that supports the government's drive to cut down on car crime. The posters are being put up to remind our customers that, although we as a store do all we can to prevent car crime, they too need to be aware of the risks and take precautions."
Suffolk Police's SMART logo has become a common sight in Suffolk. It has been featured on Adnams drip mats, shopping trolleys and continues to be seen on the back of the fleet of cranes operated by Norwich-based Quinto.
Force artist Darren Bird, who came up with the design of the sneaky thief, said: "I am delighted that the design will be seen by people across the country. "I designed the character to catch people's attention. "It seemed to me that too much anti-car crime literature featured just pictures or drawings of cars. I wanted to capture the imagination by producing a character which reflected the devious, sneaky nature of the car thief.
