It's deeply concerning to hear that organised gangs are actively targeting our community, focusing on high-value vehicles or those sought after for their parts. These criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting keyless entry systems and even design vulnerabilities to silently steal vehicles, often without owners even realising until it's too late.
The briefing provided residents with invaluable insights into these methods and, more importantly, practical steps we can all take to protect our vehicles. While the fight against organised crime requires a multi-faceted approach, empowering ourselves with preventative measures is a crucial first line of defence.
Here are some of the key, small steps we can all implement to make our cars less appealing targets:
🔑 Shield Your Signals: Embrace the Faraday Bag
If your vehicle boasts keyless entry, investing in and consistently using a faraday bag is no longer a luxury – it's a necessity. These simple pouches are designed to block the electronic signals emitted by your car key fob. Thieves use sophisticated devices to amplify these signals, tricking your car into believing the key is present and allowing them to unlock and start the engine. By keeping your keys in a faraday bag (check pouches regularly for wear) when at home and even when out, you effectively create a barrier against this type of attack.
🔒 Add a Physical Deterrent: The Power of Steering Wheel Locks
Visible security measures can be a significant deterrent to opportunistic thieves. Steering wheel locks, whether the classic bar style or a more compact disk lock, make it physically challenging to steer the vehicle. While not impenetrable, they add a layer of inconvenience and time that thieves often want to avoid. Brands like Milenco are well-regarded, but exploring other reputable options is also worthwhile. For a more robust, albeit pricier, solution, consider a ghost immobiliser, which adds a unique, secret PIN code requirement before the car can be driven.
🏡 Fortify Your Home Perimeter: Consider Driveway Bollards
For those with driveways, installing bollards can act as a powerful physical barrier, preventing thieves from simply driving off with your vehicle. While this requires a more significant investment and installation, it offers a substantial level of security and peace of mind.
These are just a few immediate steps you can take to enhance your vehicle's security. For more comprehensive advice and information, I strongly encourage you to visit the Metropolitan Police website:
The Safer Neighbourhood Team's proactive engagement is a testament to their commitment to our community's safety. By working together, sharing information, and taking these preventative measures, we can make Wansunt Road and the wider area a less appealing target for these criminal gangs.
If you have any concerns or further information to share, please don't hesitate to contact me at
Source: Nextdoor
