Secure Your Car Against Thieves
by RICHARD JENKINS
Since 1995 vehicle crime in the UK has been on a downward curve. However Home Office statistics reveal that vehicle crime is responsible for 19% of all reported crime in England and Wales. 1.7 million vehicle related thefts were recorded between 2006-2007 alone.
Due to the fact that most vehicle crime is opportunistic it is also, with a little common sense, preventable. The following guide hopes to show how the thieves can be beaten.
Fit an engine immobilisers. Immobilisers are an effective way to stop your car being stolen. If an immobiliser is fitted to your car then you or anyone else will only be able to start the engine by using the correct key (or token). Some cars come with an immobiliser fitted as standard or you can fit a third party device. immobilisers made by a company called Thatcham are considered to be the best. Most car insurance companies will even discount your premium if you have a Thatcham immobilisers fitted to your car.
Make sure your car has a car alarm fitted. Virtually all new cars come with an alarm fitted as standard. If your car hasn't an alarm fitted then there are many on the market to choose from. When buying a car alarm it is always recommended that it is fitted by a professional.
Fit locking wheel nuts and bolts. These are cheap and easy to fit. They prevent the theft of wheels from your car.
When leaving your car parked use a steering wheel lock. These are devices which attach securely to your the steering wheel thus locking it. They are effective not only in the way that they work but also due to the fact that they are highly visible.
Never leave anything on display when you park your car. Even an old coat or a plastic bag can be tempting to a thief. If your car stereo can be removed then remove it.
Have your car registration number or the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched onto all windows. This makes your car more easily identifiable and harder for a thief to sell your car on.
When parking at home always use your garage if you have one. When parking outside always try to park in an attended or CCTV enabled car park.
When buying a used car get one of the commercial databases such as HPI Group Ltd to check the cars history. These databases can tell you if the car has been reported stolen or written off after an accident.
Richard Jenkins is owner of the driving test and driving schools website. A site for learner drivers providing guides on topics such as the driving theory test and cheap young drivers car insurance .
