Reducing vehicle crime
A new car
or motorbike is usually the second-most valuable purchase we'll make in a lifetime.
It is also the one that is most at risk.
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 reported stolen each year is never recovered - and those that are may be damaged beyond repair. It can take several weeks for insurance claims to pay out. And there are often high costs involved if you have to hire a replacement vehicle to keep you mobile.
Thankfully, however, most vehicle crime is opportunistic and therefore relatively easy to prevent. Following this straightforward advice will help to lessen your chances of becoming a victim of vehicle crime.
When leaving your car
- Don't leave anything inside your car. Clothes, cigarettes and loose change can all encourage a break-in.
- Remove the stereo or stereo fascia if possible.
- Remove satellite navigation devices if possible, including the support cradle. Wipe away any suction pad marks left on the dashboard or windscreen.
- Leave your glove box open, to show it is empty.
- Close windows and sunroofs and lock the doors and boot.
- Remove the keys and lock the car, even if you are leaving it for just a few minutes.
- Never store driving documents or vehicle documents in the car. Keep them at home.
Parking
- Keep your car parked in a garage if possible and lock both vehicle and garage.
- When away from home, or if you don't have a garage, always try to park in a well-lit, open location.
- If possible, park in police approved car parks displaying the 'ParkMark' logo. Visit www.parkmark.co.uk for more information.
Extra precautions
- If your car doesn't have an alarm, get one fitted and use it each time you park.
- Fit a tracking device to your vehicle.
- Protect your tax disc with a tamper-proof disc holder - available from the Post Office.
- A Thatcham compliant immobiliser or a steering wheel lock can help secure older vehicles and could reduce your insurance premium.
- Look after your car keys and keep them out of sight, even at home. Keep keys on you, or hidden, at all times.
- Secure expensive alloy wheels using locking wheel nuts.
- Have the vehicles registration number or vehicle identification number etched on each window.
- Secure number plates with anti-tamper or clutch head screws, or purchase theft resistant number plates that break into small pieces when removed.
Motorbikes
Like car
crime, most motorbike crime is opportunistic and therefore preventable. Follow these
safety tips to minimise the chance of becoming a victim of motorbike crime.
- Always lock your bike and set the alarm if it has one.
- When leaving your bike for some time, try to lock it to something secure. If there are no ground anchors available, bring this to the attention of your local authority.
- Have your bike marked with its vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Don't leave items such as helmets or other possessions with your bike.
- Use a motorbike cover.
Useful Links
If you'd like further information on or help with Property Safety, please check out some of the links below: