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Henderson police notice growing trend of tailgate thefts

Posted at 3:58 PM, May 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-08 20:23:09-04

The Henderson Police Department is alerting the public to a growing trend of vehicle tailgate thefts.

An unlocked pickup truck tailgate is an easy target for many thieves. An unlocked tailgate can be opened and removed in under 30 seconds without the use of tools.

RELATED: What to do if your tailgate is stolen

Henderson police are offering the following safety tips to prevent tailgate theft:

  • If your truck comes equipped with an integrated tailgate lock, lock it. The simple step of insuring that the tailgate is locked when locking the vehicle can reduce theft.
  • Back your pickup truck as close as possible to an object or structure, so there is no room to open the tailgate.
  • Buy a lock. There are a number of options on the market.
  • Another way to protect your tailgate from theft -- use a hose clamp. Wrap it around the notch on the quick release of the tailgate, setting the clamp where the screw head is on the bottom side.

Henderson Police would also like to remind the public that locking your vehicle is the first step in preventing theft. Hiding valuable items also discourages theft, but removing valuable items from a vehicle is the best way to prevent them from being stolen.

Anyone with information about pickup tailgate thefts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.