All About Thornton

Both local from West Yorkshire Police, and National.

Alerts are from West Yorkshire Police’s Neighbourhood Alert emails, and from the Action Fraud website – run by the City of London Police. All links to relevant websites are in dark green and underlined.

15 October 2025 new alert on Gift Card draining A bit early for Christmas i know but this is something that is becoming an issue all over the UK and one you need to be aware of. West Yorkshire Police is seeing a rise in a scam called gift card draining, where criminals steal money from gift cards before you even use them.

How it works:

Scammers tamper with cards in shops—recording the card number and PIN, then resealing the packaging. Once you buy and load the card, they quickly drain the funds online. We believe blank cards are being stolen from stores, tampered with, then replaced in the store. The criminals then just wait and see what is loaded up.

Protect yourself:

• Inspect cards for signs of tampering.
• Buy from secure displays or behind the counter.
• Register your card online immediately, if possible.
• Avoid third-party sellers offering discounted cards.
• Never pay bills or fines with gift cards—it’s a common scam tactic.

If you’re affected, report it to the retailer and Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Please share this message with others to help stop the scam.

11 September 2025 2 new crime alerts:

Hill Top Road, Thornton Sometime between 9.00pm on 9th September and 1030am on 10th September suspects have  smashed the window of a Volkswagon Golf parked on Hill Top Road BD13. Once inside they conducted an untidy search and removed the infotainment system and made off with it unseen.
If you have any CCTV or ring doorbell footage of anything suspicious between these times please respond to this message. Please double check your vehicle is locked and there is nothing valuable left inside.  There’s lots of information on our website to help you on how to keep your vehicle secure.  Please see the link below for your information:
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/vehicle-crime/vehicle-crime

• Henry Street, Thornton Sometime between 4:30pm on 9th September and 7:10am on 10th September victim has parked her Nissan Juke locked and secured on the roadside of Henry Street BD13.  Suspect approaches the front of the vehicle and removes the front bumper by unknown means. 
  If you have any CCTV or ring doorbell footage of anything suspicious between these times please respond to this message 
  There’s lots of information on our website to help you on how to keep your vehicle secure.  Please see the link below for your information:
  https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/vehicle-crime/vehicle-crime

14 August 2025 Keyless car thefts rise in Bradford West

• Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key fob comes within a short-range distance of the car.
• Keyless theft, also known as ‘relay theft‘, occurs when device is used to fool the car into thinking the car’s own remote key fob is close by; this unlocks the car and allows the ignition to be started.
• Keyless entry cars allow the driver to unlock and start the car with the key fob still in their pocket / bag.  Once in the car, the driver can press a button to start the engine without ever needing to touch the key fob / remote.

How to protect keyless cars

• Keep car keys safe
  Whilst at home keep your car keys away from the car to disrupt communication range.
  Avoid leaving them near your door or window. 
• Turn off the fob’s wireless signal
  Wireless signals on some keyless fobs can be turned off. Look in your car manual to see it this is possible, if not, contact your vehicle manufacturer.
• Re-programme your keys
  This erases the code from the car key to the car itself. This will mean a spare car key that is not in our possession can no longer be paired with your car leaving it susceptible to theft. Contact your local Master Locksmith Association (MLA) approved auto locksmith for a quote
• On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Port 
  Some theft involve thieves breaking into a vehicle and accessing the ODB port to start the car. Below are a few options that may help secure your vehicle from this method of theft:
  • Contact your local dealership or an auto electrician to relocate the OBD port in your vehicle 
  • Consider the use of a OBD port protective cover or lock guard
  • Consider a remote central locking keyless system upgrade or an upgraded immobiliser system to protect your vehicle. This can be very costly and only to be considered for higher end prestige vehicles
• Steering wheel lock 
  Strongly consider reintroducing a steering wheel lock to your vehicle. This can be an effective tool in the fight against keyless thefts, purely for the reason that it cannot be compromised via technology.
• Parking
  • If you have a garage, use it to secure your vehicle in 
  • If you park on the driveway, park as close to the property as you can 
  • If you have more than one vehicle on your driveway, park the less desirable vehicle in front of the more desirable vehicle to block its access
• Note – as with any additional security for vehicles, try to purchase devices that are:
  • Thatcham Quality Assured – https://www.thatcham.org/
  • Sold Secure Tested https://www.soldsecure.com/
  • Secured by Design – https://www.securedbydesign.com/
• 
  Keyless theft crime prevention advice leaflet – printable version 2.04 MB

6 August 2025 Bogus Traders

Crime Prevention Officers

31 July 2025 ***Staying Safe On The Doorstep***

Ninja Swords – Banned Weapon

Today (31 July) is your last chance to surrender a ninja sword as part of the Home Office’s surrender and compensation scheme for the soon to be banned weapons. As of 1 August, it will be a criminal offence to possess ninja swords in private or manufacture, import, or sell them. Those in West Yorkshire who bought and legally own the weapons are able to hand them in at select police station helpdesks. Read more about the police station helpdesk locations and opening hours: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/news-appeals/ninja-sword-amnesty-across-west-yorkshire-starts-next-month?fbclid=IwY2xjawL4GUFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBaSmZtd3pJRkdXejFvTkRuAR7hrNneueL8qYlpD1Sep0fm1pkoWOR8ZGyQhqUFPPavTpmuCz3Y0aFw5oVZbA_aem_A5FZHQ-GyeBp2UjbC2NN9g

30 July 2025 Online Safety for School Holidays.

Online Safety for the School Holidays

Counter Terrorism Policing North East is supporting a national campaign appealing to parents and carers to make sure their children are safe online over the summer holiday. Backing the call, Detective Superintendent Matthew Davison, Head of Prevent at CTP NE, said: “Young people are increasingly at risk of being drawn into extremism and terrorism online. Extremists identify and groom vulnerable young people through mainstream social media and gaming platforms which are used by millions of people every day. “You can visit the ACT Early website for guidance and speak to us in confidence for support.” Find out more about the campaign here.

20 July 2025 The most recent alerts from Action Fraud (the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre) are £1.6m lost to gig ticket scams as public urged to take caution, New quishing alert: £3.5 million lost last year to fraudulent QR codes, Don’t get hooked: new warning urges the public to continue reporting phishy emails and texts, and New alert issued as Action Fraud reveals staggering rise of extortion phishing email reports in March

19 February 2025 Card Machine Fraud, from West Yorkshire Police

There has been a spike in incidents where external cash machines in Bradford City Centre have been tampered with by sticking small plastic devices designed to trap the bank card once the transaction has been completed. The devices are always installed out of bank opening hours preventing victims from seeking help at the branch straight away.Suspects usually loiter in the area and approach the victim once the cash machine fails to return the card. The suspects speak to the victim and reassure them that the card is safe inside the cash machine. The suspects tell the victim that they will have to come back the next day / on Monday when the branch is open and request the card back. The victim leaves the card which is retrieved by the suspect and later used to make purchases.I have attached the photographs of the card traps recovered from various cash machines in Bradford. Similar incidents have been recorded in Huddersfield and Keighley areas.Members of public are asked to be vigilant. If your card has been swallowed for no obvious reason, please contact your bank immediately. Alternatively, you can block or temporarily freeze your bank card using the mobile app or telephone banking until it is confirmed that the card is in the possession of your bank as opposed to being trapped in the cash machine.Any such incidents are to be reported at the bank or to the police via 101 or https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChatIt is always helpful to note down the time of the incident. The accurate time and date enable us to obtain CCTV sooner.

25 November 2024 a burglary occurred on Firth Street, between 6pm and 7.30pm. The method of attack was through a window on the upper floor which is very close to a flat roof in the garden-providing easy access to the property. Firstly if you have CCTV or a doorbell camera please check it between 5.45pm and 7.45pm to check if you had any activations.  Secondly if you have a door with a cylinder lock (composite or UPVC doors mainly) please check the lock.  Make sure you are satisfied with the rating and is fitted correctly. The locks we recommend have 3 stars written on the front (see image) and are TS007 or SS312 rated. Many firms offer these anti-snap locks. Whilst we do not wish to scare anyone, it is always good to review your own security, and report anything suspicious to the Police. Should you have any information about the burglary please contact us on 101.

September 11, 2024

Be aware West Yorkshire Police has seen a rise over the last 3-4 days of Burglaries in the area, they have the same MO using the blow torch technique. Blowtorch burglary is a method of entry used by thieves where, as the term suggests, thieves are using a blowtorch to attack door handles and locks.    Make sure outside security lights are all working and CCTV is turned on where applicable. Keep valuables out of sight. Make sure you have fit Anti-Snap locks to your uPVC door.  Should a criminal use a blowtorch to melt your door they will not able to snap your door lock when they try, this is because the anti-snap locked fitted will prevent any attempt at snapping your door lock.   For more information visit Easy Street Burglary Campaign | West Yorkshire Police

August 13 2024

Burglary in Leaside Drive An alert from West Yorkshire Police. “Suspects attack lock on rear patio door using screw driver. Suspects then enter locus and take two sets of car keys and victim’s wallet. Suspects then exit locus via point of entry, and steal both cars from the drive way using keys taken from inside. There is lots of information on our website to help you secure your home including advice on lock standards. https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/home-security/home-security ” This happened around 2.40am on 12 August.

August 9, 2024

From West Yorkshire Police: We are again seeing a number of registration plate thefts and centre consoles from vehicles. Please ensure your plates are screwed on and remember to check vehicles when parking up in areas you are not used to. Try to park near lighting and CCTV where possible.  If you have any concerns for yourself or any of your neighbours please contact us online, 101 or  contact your local PCSO. There’s lots of information on our website to help you on how to keep your vehicle secure.  Please see the link below for your information: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/vehicle-crime/vehicle-crime

August 5, 2024

July 17, 2024: In Old Road, Thornton. A note from Neighbourhood Alerts, from WY Police. “Overnight on the 15th July to the 16th July, Suspect(s) unknown have removed the panels to a wooden garage door believed to gain entry to steal, nothing of value inside nothing taken”

2023, July 31: Modern slavery in some Car Washes