Lock up, don’t make it too easy for thieves

Thieves can spot an opportunity. It can take minutes for a thief to steal your car if left unlocked or even less time to take property from inside. Even if you are popping out just for a short while, lock your car. This includes in areas you wouldn’t expect a thief such as rural roads. Also make sure all the windows and the sun roof are also closed.

Parking Strategy (thieves don’t like to be seen)

Thieves like to work in dark areas out of view from the main roads where they will not be disturbed. A great deal of vehicle crimes can be avoided by parking in well-lit areas with plenty of pedestrian traffic.

Where are your keys?

By far the easiest way for a criminal to steal your car is if they have your key. Although car crime itself is falling, the theft of prestige cars is rising. This often involves a criminal spotting keys through a window in a house, and using wire to hook them or just breaking in.

Also thieves will know where to look for a spare key in a car, even if you think they are well hidden.

Always keep your car keys in a safe place at home, away from windows and doors and preferably in a locked cupboard or cabinet.

Have you remotely locked you car?

Always physically double check your car is locked when using remote central locking. A thief can spot an unlocked car.

Can a thief see your valuables?

Keep valuables out of view and locked away if possible. Thieves will smash your car window if they see a sat nav cradle or a coat in your vehicle, and will try their luck, even if there is nothing valuable in the vehicle. If you can see a valuable so will a thief.

In particular never leave the following anywhere in your car:

• Cheque, credit and debit cards.
  
• Driving documents and personal correspondence. They could help a thief to sell your car or provide a cover story if stopped by the police.
  
• Many car break-ins involve the theft of a mobile phone. Mark your phone and battery with your postcode and keep a note of its serial number in a safe place.
  
• A favourite with thieves are sat navs. Remove them and the cradle when you leave the car and wipe away any tell tale marks from your windscreen.
• If you have a sat nav in your car, disguise your home address, so if your nat nav does go missing, thieves won't also find your home.
  

Keep it out of sight in a garage

A garage will be huge obstacle to a thief and keep your vehicle out view, and so out of mind in many cases. Don’t forget to secure both your garage and your vehicle.

Reliance on a single security device

The “One” is not enough. There are many car anti theft devices that are available in the vehicle market. Although these car anti theft devices may not prevent car thefts altogether, but at least it will prolong their time to steal your car and bring give then a tougher time. So if you happen to park your vehicle in high theft areas, never rely on just one device alone. Use as many as you can.

A thief may not wait till you're parked

Keep valuables out of sight and consider keeping all the doors locked and the windows closed. Thieves have stolen handbags and other valuables by opening car doors or even breaking windows while cars are stationary at traffic lights or held up in slow moving traffic.

Electronic Immobiliser

All cars made in the UK after October 1998 will have one of these fitted.
This type of Immobiliser disables the vehicle’s electrical system.

A car Alarm

This system sounds an audible and possibly visual warning when the vehicle is tampered with.

Visible VIN - (Vehicle Identification Number)

The VIN is the unique 17 digit number which identifies your car from every other one on the road. Some manufacturers now bond the VIN plate to the dashboard of the car so that it is visible through the windscreen. A thief knows that if he steals a car marked in this way he will have to remove the whole windscreen and damage the dashboard before he can sell it on. This cuts into his profit and can act as a deterrent. Visible VINs also help the police check a vehicle's identity.

Etching

Another useful crime deterrent some vehicles have, is an etched Vehicle registration number and/or VIN are on any the glass surfaces of the vehicle. This includes the headlamps.

Lockable Fuel Cap

Helps avoid fuel being siphoned from your vehicle.

Security Glazing

Although security glazing glass is not widely fitted by manufactures, is can make it can make it much more difficult for thieves to break in. This is specially strengthened glass fitted to the side and rear windows.

Tracking devices

Some more desirable car will need a tracking device as a condition of the insurance policy. These enable a car to be tracked by the police or system operator if stolen.

The same security considerations apply when you are buying a second hand car. Generally speaking, the older the car, the less likely you are to find the features listed previously included as standard, but most can be added on.

Sold Secure and Thatcham (the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre) test car security products and publish lists of devices that work. Many of the devices are common to both lists, and many attract insurance discounts provided that they are fitted by a Vehicle Security Installation Board (VSIB) approved installer.

A lot of cars are stolen in order to be sold on to innocent purchasers once they have had their original identities disguised - a process known as "ringing". Although the majority of used car sales cause no problems, it is always worth considering the following advice:

• Ask your dealer if he uses the services of either HPI Equifax or CCN Motorfile. These two organisations can confirm whether or not a vehicle has been reported as stolen, written off by an insurance company or is the subject of an outstanding finance agreement. You can also contact HPI Equifax direct, though a charge is made for this service. (Telephone no. 01722-422-422 or hpicheck)
  
• Be cautious with "small ads". Go to the seller's house to make sure he or she lives there. Look out for signs of car dealing, such as other vehicles lying around in various states of repair, or there are lots of spare parts scattered around the garage or drive.
  
• Check that the car's chassis and vehicle identification number (VIN), including any which have been etched onto glass surfaces, match those on the documents and that the registration document (V5) hasn't been tampered with.
  
• Be wary if there are signs that etching has been removed.
  
• If there is a mark showing that the car is linked to a security register - check it out.
  
• Do not buy if the seller cannot produce the registration document.
  
• If you buy at auction, take advantage of indemnity clauses. A small fee is charged, but you are protected should you find you've bought a stolen vehicle.
  
• Consider having the vehicle professionally inspected by an independent company such as the AA or RAC before you buy.

Top 10

Here is a link to a list compiled to the government, which lists the 10 cars most likely to be stolen (updated in 2006).
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/car-theft-2006

Steering Lock and other Security Devices

Always use them. Some are a lot more effective than others.

Register your car and its contents

Register your car and all its contents with Immobilise.

Immobiliser

Always set the immobiliser. Follow this routine even when filling up with petrol or just popping into the newsagents. If you do not have an immobiliser consider having one fitted.

Radio/Cassette Players/CD Players/MP3 Players

Always remove these if you can. Whether removable or not, all equipment should be marked both visibly and permanently with the vehicle registration number. Make a note of the serial number and keep it in a safe place.

Etching

Arrange to have the vehicle registration number etched on to all glass surfaces - including the side windows and headlamps. You may also arrange to have the vehicle identification number (VIN) etched in this way, but check with your manufacturer first.

Alarm

An alarm can help keep your vehicle secure. It must be professionally fitted to be effective.

Protecting your number plate

Legislation requires personal proof of ID and the V5 registration document are produced before replacement plates are made. Stolen number plates are fitted to cars to conceal their true identity then used to commit crimes, drive-offs from petrol stations, and to avoid paying the London congestion charge. To prevent your plates from being stolen, you could:

• Remove the existing screws, apply some superglue around the underside of the screw head (taking care not to get any on the thread) and replace. The screw becomes permanently attached to the number plate, making it very difficult to remove without damaging the plate.
  
• Not all vehicles have number plates screwed on, some are stuck on. Owners can have holes drilled through the plates and body, but it is advisable to check with the manufacturer beforehand to avoid damage or invalidating the warranty.
  
• Alternatively, replace your existing plates with anti-tamper plates - visit www.secureplate.com to arrange a visit to your home or work place.
  
• Alternatively, Kwik Fit are now offering this service at their MOT centres for £39.99.