Racists blamed for car thefts (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Racists blamed for car thefts

8:39am Wednesday 13th December 2006 in Chard By Alex Cameron

A CHARD cafe owner fears racists may be behind a series of car thefts from Portuguese people in the town.

Luis Carvalho, of HR Select Caf in Fore Street, says three cars belonging to Portu-guese workers have been stolen in the last month.

He said all three UK-registered vehicles had gone missing from the town centre and two had since been discovered burnt out.

The latest incident saw a red Rover 620, belonging to 22-year-old Cristiano Marinheiro taken from a car park at the back of the caf overnight on Sunday, December 3.

It was found burnt out near Chaffcombe recycling centre last Tuesday.

Mr Carvalho said: "Three Portuguese cars have been stolen in the past month.

"My strong belief is that this is someone who knows what we are driving.

"I think this is deliberately targeted against the Portuguese community.

"All of these cars are bought with the sweat of the hours we have done in this country. We need more CCTV."

Mr Carvalho also said he felt communication within the police force between vehicle crime departments and front-line officers could be improved so trends could be spotted.

Mr Marinheiro, who works at HR Select Caf, said: "There was nothing to describe it when I saw the car had gone - it was all of my belongings."

On the latest theft, Sgt Andy Kingston of Chard police said: "It's a serious incident and if anyone can come forward to help us we'd be grateful.

"My information is that there is no suggestion that it was a racially aggravated incident, but if it is racially aggravated we need to know about it."

o IF you have any information on the incidents call Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.