Give car thieves the cold shoulder this winter

‘Car jacking’ has once again been hitting the headlines. Already a number of people across the UK have fallen foul to thieves looking to steal cars that have been left unattended whilst the keys are in the ignition. The UK’s leading stolen vehicle recovery systems specialist, TRACKER, warns motorists to protect their vehicle all year, highlighting the top five most common car crimes.

TRACKER reveals the top five car crimes

1. Burglary and theft of the car keys. Still a very popular means for stealing cars. Often where the keys are left out on hall table, kitchen worktop or hanging on hooks in the kitchen or hallway.

2. Leaving the vehicle with keys in and/or engine running – Examples - clearing ice or early visit to newsagent. Visits to the re-cycling point at the supermarket before/after shopping

3. Identity theft - Criminals steal the identity of an owner, then use forged or stolen documents to obtain duplicate key

4. Selling the car - Criminals ask to take a 'test drive' and drive off whilst owner is getting in or getting out of the car. Another ploy is making 'payment' with forged banker’s draft.

5. Lifestyle criminals - This is where the criminals carry out surveillance on the car user and takes the best opportunity to steal the keys. Example car owner leaves keys in a bag or on table or in jacket pocket unattended in the pub

“Gone are the days when cars were stolen by smashing the side window and 'hot wiring' the ignition,” explains Stuart Chapman, TRACKER’s Police Relationship Manager and a former senior Police Officer. “Criminals now need the keys in order to steal a vehicle, therefore car owners need to ensure they do not leave their keys unattended for example leaving the engine running in an unattended vehicle. Looking after your car keys should be the first step in vehicle security, as our data reveals that 75% of all stolen cars recovered by TRACKER in the last 3 months have been stolen as a result of key theft. In addition, if the keys are in the car and the engine is running, owners won’t be insured for the loss of their vehicle, making it a very costly mistake.”

TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. The tracking device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a container or taken abroad, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen.

Chapman concludes, “It’s easy to get distracted, but leaving the car for just a moment is long enough for a criminal. In particular, at this time of year people should be extra vigilant as they visit friends and family, and can be easily caught off guard. It only takes a few minutes to take simple steps, which save considerable heartache, not to mention expense if their car is stolen.”

TRACKER’s car security advice

Never leave the keys in the ignition, even if you are just stopping quickly
Always lock and secure your vehicle
Make sure you don’t leave belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you
Fit a stereo with removable front panel and take it with you when you leave the car. Mark it with your vehicle registration
Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car
Keep doors locked and windows up when driving
Park in busy or well-lit and attended car parks near CCTV cameras
If you have a garage, use it
Don’t leave the car unattended when waiting for it to defrost
At home, don’t keep keys in a place where they can be seen or accessed from outside
Install a TRACKER unit, for more information visit tracker.co.uk