Reducing Vehicle Crime!

A new car or motorbike is usually the second most valuable purchase we’ll make in a lifetime!

Vehicle theft and theft from vehicles make up almost a third of all reported crime and can be frustrating and very expensive for victims.

Around one in four vehicles are ever recovered and it can take weeks for the insurance to pay out as well!

Thankfully most vehicle crime is opportunistic and relatively easy to prevent.

Here’s a few tips and advice to help:

• Don’t leave anything valuable in your car
• Remove the stereo or fascia if possible
• Remove any satellite navigation devices
• Leave your glove box open to show it is empty
• Close windows and sunroofs
• Lock all doors including the boot

Parking:

• If possible park in a garage and also remember to lock the garage
• If away or you don’t have a garage always try to park in a well lit open location

Extra Precautions:

• If you don’t have an alarm gets one fitted
• Fit a tracking device to your vehicle
• Protect your tax disc with a tamper proof disc holder (available from the Post Office)
• Fit a Thatcham steering wheel immobiliser (which could also reduce your insurance premium)
• Look after your car keys and keep them out of sight even at home
• Secure expensive wheels with locking wheel nuts
• Etch your vehicle registration number VIN onto your windows
• Secure number plates with anti tamper screws or buys tamper resistant plates that break into pieces when removed
• Never store driving documents in the car