PROTECT YOUR CAR (AND MOTORCYCLE) – LEAVE IT LOCKED, LIT AND EMPTY

Due to Covid-19 and repeated lockdowns, people aren’t using their cars as much as they used to. However, car crime remains a pressing problem in the UK – alarmingly, one car is stolen 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. 

Leave your car locked
A simple mistake that can prove calamitous: 44% of cars were broken into via an unlocked door.
 
Leave your car well-lit
80% of car crime occurs during the evening or at night. Parking near streetlamps or in a busy area can deter thieves.
 
Leave your car empty or with no items on show
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 
• * Use a Sold Secure www.soldsecure.com approved anti-theft device on your car. You can search for suppliers on www.securedbydesign.com 
• * When parking in a car park, look for a ‘Park Mark’ www.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.

Protect your car flyer (pdf)

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

For more information on catalytic converter theft, have a look at this BBC One Inside Out Catalytic Converter Theft video

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

For more information and further tips look at this 'Keyless could be Carless' information sheet from West Yorkshire Police. (pdf)

PROTECT YOUR MOTORCYCLE, MOPED or SCOOTER

To protect you motorcycle, moped or scooter remember LOCK, CHAIN, COVER.

LOCK: use a disc lock to help secure the front brake disc, or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls. You could also use a D lock on the front wheel to stop it being wheeled away.

CHAIN: Use a chain lock through the back wheel (the front wheel can be removed). Chain your bike to something heavy, even when in a garage. You can fit specific attachments to lock your bike to at home.

COVER: Thieves often ‘shop’ for particular bike models. Using a cover instantly makes it less attractive to them. A cover also provides another time consuming obstacle for the thief.

For more information on LOCK, CHAIN, COVER see the Protect your motorcycle page from Met Police.

Further tips

• * Set its alarm if it has one
• * Use a designated motorcycle parking place with a stand and security loop if you can
• * Mark your motorbike with its vehicle identification number
• * Add a ‘kill switch’ which prevents the start button from working unless pressed
• * Never leave loose items such as helmets or other possessions with your bike

Reporting a crime

If you are unlucky and have been a victim of crime you can report it in several ways:

• If it’s an emergency and the crime is still taking place, call 999 and ask for the police.
• If it’s not an emergency, do not call 999. This doesn’t mean the crime is not important – it just helps the police to make the best use of their resources. Many police forces use the 101 non-emergency number, so you can ring that number instead.
• You can go to your local police station and report the crime there. You can find the address and telephone number in the local telephone directory or online. Check what time your local police station is open, as not all stations are open all the time.
• If you have information regarding a crime and don’t want to talk to the police, contact the charity Crimestoppers online or call 0800 555 111. You will remain 100% anonymous. Always.

Please note: Neighbourhood Watch does not take reports of crime.

Following a crime

• Prevent others becoming a victim: Tell your Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator: They can warn others in your area of the crime whilst keeping your confidentiality if you wish. The quicker you act, the sooner you might stop someone else becoming a victim. 
• Support for yourself: If you have been affected by crime and need confidential emotional support or advice on what to do next, you can contact Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111.