What is the basic security advice to reduce a risk of my vehicle being stolen?

A response by Jon Caldwell, Security Consultant, at Caldwell Security.

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There are a number of No-cost, or Low-cost, security mitigations that can be undertaken, which will reduce the risk of your Vehicle being stolen.  But it should be noted that it is not possible to totally eliminate a determined Car Thief from stealing your Vehicle, without you investing substantial sums of money on High-Tec security measures.

Firstly, do your research and identify whether your vehicle is on the DVLA list of most popular makes of vehicle being stolen in the UK, which can be found on the Internet.  It is important to understand whether your vehicle is at a higher-risk of being stolen, and you can therefore establish what cost-effective measures you are prepared to take to protect it from being stolen.

Secondly you need to calculate the cost of having your vehicle stolen.  The value of the vehicle is one aspect, but you should also consider the impact of not having a vehicle.  Research shows the majority of vehicles, which are stolen, are never recovered, and therefore you are most likely going to make a claim on your Insurance Policy, which will then increase the cost of insurance in the future.

You are also advised to identify if your address, or any areas in your locality, or places where you regularly visit, and park your vehicle, and leave it unattended, whether any these are Vehicle Crime hot-spots.  This can be established by checking your local Police Website.  In North Hertfordshire you can view the Herts Police Website, www.herts.police.uk.  Add your Postcode and this will show Crime Statistics, and give you an indication as to whether there is a high-risk of Vehicle Crime.

Some simple measures should be used whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.  Be vigilant, especially in locations which are high-risk, or where you suspect there might be a risk of Vehicle Crime.  When you leave your vehicle, and use your key-fob to remotely lock your vehicle, always check that the doors are actually locked before you walk away.  Car Thieves often use a ‘Jammer’ to intercept the signal between the key and the car, leaving the vehicle unlocked, and vulnerable to theft.

With the increase in the number of vehicles having a ‘Keyless Entry System’ Criminals are using a ‘relay attack’ method, which involves two thieves deploying an electronic signal relay device, usually a Laptop.  One will use the device to receive the signal from the key, usually located near the front Door of the house, transferring the signal to a second box, placed alongside the vehicle, tricking the car into thinking the key is there, enabling entry and allowing the Criminals to steal the vehicle.  The purchase of a low-cost RFID (Faraday) Wallet, available on line for about £5, allows the signal to be blocked, and so long as the key is only removed for a few seconds to allow the Vehicle Owner to open the doors, this prevents a ‘relay attack’.

Always choose the right place to park your vehicle, especially overnight.  Ideally you can park on your driveway, and you will then have some low-cost options to protect the vehicle from being stolen.  Otherwise, if you can only park on the roadway, choose the right place and not just the first space you see.  If you can try and find a place which is well lit, and open to public view.  If you have a choice of Car Park, try and use one which is security patrolled, uses CCTV, or is approved for ‘safer parking’.  If you park at shops, try and park nearby to other shoppers, and within sight of CCTV, if installed, rather than away from other cars, as Car Thieves are less likely to target your vehicle if they are at risk of being disturbed, or seen on CCTV.

Remember to remove any valuables, or other belongings, including Sat-Nav and Stereo equipment, and if possible, when parking at home, take valuables indoors, and leave open the parcel shelf, or boot cover, so that any Criminal can see there is nothing to steal, thereby avoiding a smashed window.

Consider adding a visual deterrent, such as a good quality strong lock, attached to the Steering Wheel, Pedals or Gearstick.  And make sure you use it.  Also have the Vehicle Registration Number etched onto all of the vehicle windows to deter the Criminal stealing the vehicle, and selling it on to others.

Consider installing a good quality car alarm, immobiliser or tracking device.  If your vehicle has a factory fitted system, it makes it easier for Criminals to find, and by-pass the system, so consider having the system fitted by an Auto Security Company, especially for high-value, desirable models of vehicle.

Keep vehicle documents safely at home, and not in the glove box, so your vehicle is more difficult to be sold, after being stolen.  Any alloy wheels should be fitted with locking wheel nuts.  Take good care of your keys, and don’t leave them close to the Front Door, because Criminals can look through the window, or letterbox, and if they see the keys, they may be encouraged to burgle your house to take the keys, especially to desirable high-value vehicles.

And finally, never leave your engine running when the vehicle is left unattended.  There are many examples of vehicles being stolen when the Owner has popped into a shop with the engine running, or in frosty weather, leaving the engine running to clear the windscreen, while the Owner pops back into the house.  It is quite possible your Insurance Company will not cover the loss of the vehicle if stolen when the engine has been left running, and unattended.  It is also a motoring offence if on the road, so you could risk getting a fine.

You may wish to consider booking a Consultation with Caldwell Security, who can arrange a bespoke low-cost Crime Prevention Security Survey, and give professional advice, on what proportionate security measures would be the most appropriate for you. Learn more about our vecial theft prevention services HERE

Caldwell Security Consultants will provide, no obligation, security mitigation recommendations, but they do not provide installation, or supply, of any security products.