Advice Centre

Car Security

Car security has come on in leaps and bounds over recent years, and most modern cars have alarms and immobilisers. It can be virtually impossible to get round a security system and often not without causing considerable damage to the vehicle that the thief is attempting to steal.

As with most crime, theft of (and from) vehicles is opportunist and so is preventable with a little common sense and some basic precautions.

According to Home Office figures vehicle crime has fallen by 57% since 1995 but it still accounts for about a sixth of all crime and has an annual economic and social cost of £2 billion. There are still more than 2 million vehicle related thefts every year so here s some useful advice.

• Car keys are precious
  A bunch of keys are a dream come true for the potential thief. Take the car keys, press the key fob and the security equipment is de-activated. The keys also make selling the vehicle more straightforward. Remove them whenever you get out of the car and don't leave them on display at home. Thieves have been known to break into houses to steal car keys. Consider using a Key Safe in your house to store car keys.
  
  
• Park somewhere safe
  Put your car in your garage overnight, off-street on your drive or a well lit, busy street.
  
  
• Reduce Opportunities
  Set the alarm/immobiliser and fit a physical deterrent such as a steering wheel clamp. Remove obvious targets such as mobile phones and satellite navigation sets. Also hide or remove loose change, music tapes or CDs attract thieves and the cost of repairs may be more than the value of the items taken.
  
  
• Number Plates
  If your number plates are stolen contact the Police immediately. It may seem trivial at the time but if the plates are used to change the identity of another car you can expect to start receiving fixed penalty notices for parking, speeding etc. and may even be suspected of committing crimes yourself.
  
  
• Car Safes
  Sometimes you have to leave valuable possessions in your vehicle when away from home on holiday or business. Consider fitting a Car Safe in the boot.
  
  
• Always Lock it
  Every time you leave the car close the windows and lock the doors, even at petrol stations.
  
  
• Tax Discs
  As the cost of Road Duty increases, so does theft of tax discs. SECURI-I-DISC is a patented and innovative solution to this problem.
  
  
• Security Posts and CCTV
  In busy cities and towns where parking is at a premium and car-crime is more prevalent, consider fitting a security post to your drive and consider monitoring your drive with CCTV, or even a dummy CCTV; also place an appropriate warning sign in visible position.