The local Safer Neighbourhoods Team have contacted us to warn that the
local area is currently suffering from a slight increase in motor
vehicle crime. You can read their guidance here.
Always lock it
Fuelling
up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how
easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured.
So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to
be away from it for a moment. If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in
automatically when locked, ensure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are
looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it
is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.
Close windows and the sun roof to prevent ‘fishing’
Leaving
windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand
or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for
them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.
Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant
screws
The
easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding
tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security
screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to
get your number.
Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy
wheels
Stolen
wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking
wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.
Secure anything that’s on the outside of your
vehicle
Anything
left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are
easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and
self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more
secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.
Take it with you or hide it
Your
mobile phone, coins for the car park, sunglasses, packs of medication or other
items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief.
Remember, the cost of replacing a window is often much more than that of what’s
stolen. And it should go without saying that wallets, handbags, purses and
credit cards should never be left in an unattended vehicle.
Hide electrical items and leave no clues
Leaving
sat nav mounts, suction cup marks on windows or cables on view gives it away
that you have left a sat nav, smartphone or other device in your car. Even if
they can’t see the sat nav or iPad they might still break in to see if it’s
stored in the car, out of sight.
Tool theft from vans
Vans are
often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave
tools in a van overnight, it's a good idea to mark them clearly with your name /
company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray.
Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items
that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.
Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools – a number of
security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to
record inside vehicles. Visit Secured by Design for more details. You can
also take photographs of items of value, make a note of the serial numbers and
consider registering them online at a property register site.
Park in well-lit and busier areas
It can
take less than 30 seconds to break into a vehicle. Parking in well-lit areas
and busy streets increases the chances of a thief being seen, so they’ll
probably steer clear.
Take your documents with you
Having a vehicle’s registration and insurance
documents could let a thief pretend to be the owner. Which means they could
sell it on quite easily. So, never leave any documents in the vehicle.
Catalytic converter theft
The
precious metal in catalytic converters has led to an increase in their theft.
To keep yours safe, ask your car dealer if they can give you any advice on
locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer. Alternatively,
try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a
commercial vehicle park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park
in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the convertor
can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the
road are particularly vulnerable.