Car Crime

Did you know, that in the UK, a car is stolen on average every ten minutes? Whilst we can't always prevent it there are simple steps we can all take to reduce our chances of becoming a victim of car crime.

1. Leave your car locked
   A simple mistake that can prove calamitous: 44% of cars were broken into via an unlocked door.
   
2. Leave your car well-lit
   80% of car crime occurs during the evening or at night. Parking near street lamps or in a busy area can deter thieves.
   
3. Leave your car empty
   Owners often forget that personal belongings within the car are at as much risk of being stolen as the car itself.

TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CAR SAFE

Following 3 simple steps (leave your car locked, well-lit, and empty) will help to keep your car safe, but there are further steps you could take:

• Store car ownership information at home, not in your car
• Secure number plates with anti-theft screws available from car accessory stores
• Keep your car keys out of sight in your home
• When parking in a car park, look for a ‘Park Mark’ parkmark.co.uk indicating the car park meets recognised security levels
• Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels
• Secure items 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.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT

Catalytic converters are targeted because of the precious metals that they are made with, namely rhodium, platinum and palladium. Thieves simply cut the catalytic converter from the exhaust pipe of a parked car and sell them on to scrap metal dealers. Taller vehicles are more vulnerable as the catalytic converters are easier to access.

To reduce the risk of having your catalytic converter stolen you could

1. Purchase anti-theft products such as Catloc
2. Park to restrict access to the underneath of the car
3. Ask your dealer to weld the catalytic converter to the car
4. Fit a tilt alarm
5. Register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of

KEYLESS CAR THEFT

Keyless car theft – also known as relay theft – is relatively simple. With a relay amplifier and a relay transmitter, a thief can detect whether the car has keyless entry. Working in pairs they identify a house with a car parked nearby and one person stands by the car with a transmitter, while a second waves an amplifier around the perimeter of the house. If the car key is close enough the amplifier will detect its signal, amplify it, and send it to the accomplice’s transmitter.

This transmitter then effectively becomes the key, and tricks the car into thinking the real key is nearby. The thieves can then open the car, get in and drive away.

The whole process can take as little as 60 seconds and can be completed in near silence.

TOP TIPS TO AVOID KEYLESS THEFT

To avoid keyless car theft remember DISTANCE, SIGNAL, STEERING WHEEL.

• KEEP KEYS A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE CAR: Keeping keys far away from doors and windows. This will minimise the chances a thief will be able to find and amplify the key’s signal and is general good practice.
• BLOCK OR TURN OFF THE SIGNAL: Consider purchasing a Faraday pouch to keep your car key in. These pouches contain signal-blocking materials that stop your key transmitting its code, preventing crooks from being able to detect and amplify the signal. Check your manual or speak to your dealer to find out if your key can be switched off
• STEERING WHEEL LOCK: Consider using a steering wheel lock, a driveway parking post, or even a wheel clamp