Car Security

If you’ve ever had your car stolen, or simply stolen from, you’ll know just how infuriating and unsettling this crime feels. Even if you’ve not had this misfortune, prevention is always better than cure.

Here are a few car security tips:

1 Never leave anything ‘on display’ in the car. Mobile phones, CDs, sat navs, are all magnets to car thieves – let alone the wallets, purses, iPods and even laptops some people leave on show! A deft thief will grab anything in seconds.

2 It sounds obvious but always lock your door – and never leave your key in the ignition – even when you’re just nipping over to the kiosk to pay for your petrol.

3 Check that windows and sun-roofs are firmly shut, and all doors are firmly locked.

4 Never leave your keys in an obvious place at home; better car alarms have been associated with a rise in burglaries, as thieves break into houses and help themselves to the car keys! Don’t leave them on an entrance table or in a handbag – always put them out of sight in a drawer, away from the front door.

5 Fit an alarm with immobilisers: they’re readily and economically available and are a real deterrent; and if you add a steering wheel lock, you’re giving a clear message that this car won’t be easy to snatch.

6 Have your registration number engraved on the windows – this makes a vehicle considerably less worth the risk of stealing it.

None of these will act as fool-proof deterrents but together they will increase your security substantially.