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Theft of vehicles, especially cars, has risen to unacceptable levels. In some urban areas, it has become an epidemic.
The thieves vary from opportunists to professionals who often work in gangs and target specific models for which they already have a buyer, sometimes in another country.
Even more common are thefts from private cars. Again, the thieves vary from opportunists who snatch valuables from unlocked cars to professionals who comb whole areas and steal car radios from poorly secured vehicles.
Having your vehicle stolen or broken into is at best an inconvenience and at worst very distressing.
While determined thieves would probably be able to steal or get into any vehicle, they’re usually too busy with the poorly secured ones. If your vehicle is secured, and preferably alarmed and immobilised, they may well leave it alone.
This section deals very briefly with the precautions you can take to secure your vehicle.
Taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, or with the intention of driving it recklessly, is a criminal offence. Such actions sometimes end in death, often for other, innocent road users.
To make it more difficult for the would-be thief, particularly the opportunist, you can
•fit an anti-theft device (alarm and/or immobiliser)
•use a visible security device (to lock steering wheel, parking brake, etc)
•have the vehicle registration number etched on all windows.
Join a Vehicle Watch scheme, if there’s one in your area. This scheme reduces the risk of having your car stolen by displaying high-visibility stickers on the front and rear windscreens of your vehicle. There are two types of stickers
•Vehicle Watch By displaying these you’re inviting the police to stop your vehicle if they see it in use between midnight and 5.00 am
•25-plus By displaying these you’re also inviting them to stop your vehicle at any time of day if it’s being driven by anyone apparently under 25 years of age.
Stickers and additional information about the scheme can be obtained from the crime prevention officer at your local police station.
Avoid leaving your vehicle unattended in poorly lit areas, which are known to be a high risk.
Whenever possible
•use attended and secure car parks
•at night, park in an area that will be well lit
•if you have a garage, use it.
When you leave your vehicle
•lock it
•remove the key
•engage the steering lock
•set the alarm or anti-theft device, if you have one
•close all windows completely (but don’t leave pets in a vehicle with the windows completely closed)
•either remove all valuables or lock them out of sight
•never leave the vehicle documents inside.
Using parking facilities that have won the Park Mark® Safer Parking award means that you’re parking in an area that has been vetted by the police. They make sure that the site has measures in place to create a safe environment.
These facilities are run by responsible operators who are concerned with your safety and the safety of your vehicle, and who have done the best they can to reduce crime and the fear of crime on their site.
To find out where your nearest Park Mark® awarded site, visit saferparking.co.uk or parkmark.co.uk
Car radios These are one of the prime targets for thieves.
Install a security-coded radio. This can deter thieves since the radio is likely to be of little use once removed from the vehicle.
Some manufacturers provide security coding for radios supplied in new vehicles.
An alternative is to install a removable radio. It looks exactly like any other radio, but it slides out of its housing. You can lock it away in the boot or take it with you.
Satellite navigation systems These are also popular with thieves.
If you have a portable system, take it with you when you leave the car; also
•take the support cradle and suction pads
•wipe away any marks on the windscreen or dashboard that have been left by the suction pads.
Don’t leave the equipment in the glove compartment, as this is the first place thieves will look.
Never leave a cabriolet or soft-top vehicle where it will obviously be vulnerable.
Remember, lock it or lose it!
