Protect Yourself & Your Property - Car Crime
Basic Security
Doors and windows ... Lock the doors, windows, boot and sunroof every time you leave your car - no matter how briefly. Ignition key and immobiliser.. . Take the ignition key out even if the car is parked on your drive or in the garage, and always set the immobiliser. Follow this routine even when filling up with petrol or just popping to the newsagents. If you do not have an immobiliser consider having one fitted. Steering lock and other security devices... Always remember to use them. They only take a few seconds to set and could make all the diference.
Valuables
Valuables and other possessions... Never leave them on display. Your old coat on the back seat may be worthless, but a thief won't know that. He may break in to see if you've left money or cards in the pocket. Remember the cost of replacing a broken window is often far more than the value of the goods stolen. If you can, take your belongings with you. If you can't, lock everything out of sight in the boot.
Never leave any of the following in your car...
- cheque, credit and debit cards.
- driving documents and personal correspondence. They could help a thief sell your car or provide a cover story if stopped by the police.
- mobile telephones - 40 per cent of car-break-ins involve the theft of a mobile telephone.
- receipts featuring details of credit or debit cards. Always be careful where you discard credit or debit card receipts.
Stereos, etc
Radio, cassette, CD, mini-disk and MP3 players... Always remove these if you can. Whether removable or not, all sound equipment (including speakers) should be marked both visibly and permanently with the vehicle registration number. Make a note of the serial numbers and keep them in a safe place.
When driving ... Keep valuables out of sight and consider keeping all doors locked and the windows closed. Thieves have stolen handbags, laptop computers, mobile telephones and other valuable by opening car doors or even breaking windows while cars are stationary at traffic lights or held up in slow moving traffic.
Parking ... If you have a garage, use it. And remember to lock it. More than half of all car thefts happen while the car is parked at home.
Break Down
Before leaving the car, check your location, review your resources and decide on a plan of action. Remember staying safe is the priority and the best course of action will depend on the location, time of day and - most importantly - your instincts.
Consider the following points:
- In isolated spots you could stay in your locked car overnight.
- If you're a long way from a telephone or house, you could flag down a passerby then get back in the locked car and talk through a partly opened window. Ask the motorist to call for help at the next available telephone, and provide the following details in writing: your name, car make and model, registration and breakdown recovery membership numbers, and your exact location.
- Wait in a secure place - the locked car, a nearby shop or similarly populated area. Tell the person you have called for help where you will be waiting.
- If you seek assistance at a nearby house, knock and stand back from the door. Ask the occupant to call for help on your behalf. A slip of paper with your details (name, car make and model, registration, breakdown recovery membership number) and your location would be helpful.
Car Parks
When away from home always try to park your car in a well-lit, open location. Thieves target car parks. A quarter of all recorded car crime happens in car parks. When parking in a public car park try to find one that is well supervised, with restricted entry and exit points, good lighting and security cameras. Avoid dark corners.
Lancashire has a number of "secured car parks". The Secured Car Park Award Scheme is a national initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers' in partnership with the British Parking Association, Automobile Association and Home Office, supported by the Association of British Insurers.
The Award is to certify that the operators of the car parks have introduced effective measures to create a safe and secure environment to reduce public fears and restricts opportunities for crime to be committed.
Other Tips
Aerials ... When parking, put the aerial down to prevent it being vandalised.
Etching ... Arrange to have the vehicle registration number etched on to all glass surfaces - including all side windows and headlamps. You may also arrange to have the vehicle identification number (VIN) etched in this way, but check with your manufacturer first.