Car theft remains one of the major security issues in the UK. Sometimes young people pick a vehicle to go for joy rides. Other times it is a case of robbers in need of a getaway vehicle. Although, in other situations, it is a case of carjacking. Whatever the case, it behooves the car owner to ensure their vehicle is safe. We’ll be looking at steering clear of theft and tips for protecting your car.
In this article, we will share some security tips that you can employ to avoid car theft. So, continue reading for some viable tips to avoid car theft.
Understanding the Landscape of Vehicle Theft in the UK
The above may seem like a topic for a session at a police academy but trust us when we say it is not. If you own a car in the UK or have friends and family that do. Then you need a basic understanding of how vehicle thefts occur in the UK. This will help you to know how to safeguard your automobile and help others do the same.
- Current Trends – It is expedient to put your ears to the ground. Know the current styles that car thieves employ in their nefarious endeavor. This enterprise is constantly evolving. After all, criminals also adapt to safety measures and technology. Finding out the type of vehicles that are mostly targeted is also important.
- Hotspots – Some areas are more susceptible to car robbery than others. The ability to identify such high-risk places will help you adjust your security strategy accordingly. This can help reduce the risk of being robbed.
- Popular Targets – Knowing the types of vehicles that are targeted is also another component of safety awareness. Luxury vehicles, particular models, and features such as catalytic converters are often targeted by robbers. So, an awareness of features that can make your automobile attractive to thieves can help you find the right security for your car. You can visit Bespoke Vehicle Security to see some options. You can also tailor some measures to stop them from accessing your automobile even with the attractive features.
Practical Tips for Vehicle Protection
The following are some practical tips for safeguarding your automobile:-
Always Park Your Vehicle in a Secure Facility/Spot
If your home has a garage, always park in the garage; do not be tempted to leave your ride outside the garage for any reason. When you go out, ensure that you look out for a secure parking facility. If it is nighttime, ensure that you park in a well-lit parking facility or space that is well-monitored. In cases where it is in your power to find a facility with CCTV cameras please do so.
Additionally, there is something known as Park Mark Standard; this means that the park passed the police risk assessment. You will do well to look out for parks with the sticker for additional peace of mind.
Always Lock your Vehicle
This might seem like a no-brainer but sometimes especially with remote locking, you might miss locking the car. So you have to check and be sure that the automobile is truly locked before leaving it. In addition to this, do not leave your automobile unlocked even if it is for a few minutes. Once you are not in the car and it is unattended, it should be locked.
Frost-jacking your car in winter is the process of leaving an automobile running while it is defrosting without anyone in the vehicle. This is a perfect ‘invitation to treat’ for thieves. Therefore keep your vehicle in sight if you want to defrost it.
Beware of Keyless Entry Vulnerabilities
If your car has keyless entry and ignition, then you are vulnerable to something known as ‘relay theft’. This is the process through which these robbers use digital gadgets to pick up the signal of your car key fob and relay it to your vehicle which in turn opens it and allows them to drive it off.
This is a highly organized process by gangs of criminals who hang around people’s homes with their devices trying to pick up signals. Therefore it is recommended that you turn off the key fob of your vehicle when it is not in use. As an alternative, you can invest in security wallets/pouches that have special linings that block the frequencies of key fobs.
Remove Valuables from the Car
When leaving your car, ensure that you remove every valuable or anything attractive to a thief. Put them in the boot and if the boot is full, place them on the floor or the car and cover them with the carpet. Just ensure that any attractive item is out of sight.
Invest in Quality Security Systems
There are a good number of security gadgets that you can invest in to ensure that your vehicle is safeguarded. As a carjacker deterrent, you can install an approved car alarm or an immobilizer such as the Ghost II Immobiliser from BVS. You can also consider systems such as GPS trackers which can help in recovery if the theft takes place.
You can even go old school by using a mechanical device. Devices such as a steering lock to stop high-tech theft such as relay theft.
Etch your Car Windows
The police recommend that you etch the registration or car ID number on the windows. ..This makes the vehicle less attractive to thieves. Etching makes the automobile more difficult to sell and peradventure it is sold, it is easier to recover.
Be Mindful of Test Drivers
If you want to sell your car and the would-be buyer insists on test driving. Make sure you go with them. This is because some car thieves pose as buyers and drive the car away during test drives. However, for safety reasons, insist on seeing their driver’s license and insurance before going on the test drive with them. It is recommended that you go with one other person (maybe a friend or family member).
For more helpful tips on car security, you can follow Bespoke Vehicle Security.
Conclusion
We have shared some tips that will help you safeguard your vehicle anywhere in the world. Bear these tips in mind and go a step further by sharing them with friends and loved ones.
Bespoke Vehicle Security
27 Nobel Square, Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, Basildon, SS13 1LP
01268523785
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