Vehicle crime accounts for around a fifth of recorded crime, and causes immense distress and inconvenience to its victims. A lot of car crime is opportunistic and could be prevented. For example about two thirds of all vehicle crime is theft from vehicles. By simply not leaving goods on display in a car, motorists can reduce the risk of theft considerably

. TOP TIPS

• Don’t leave anything in your car, particularly when it’s parked overnight. 63% of thefts of and from vehicles happen when they are parked outside the home.
• Always keep your car locked. This includes closing the sunroof and windows, even if you only leave it for a few seconds. That’s all it takes for a criminal to steal your car.
• If you’re going out and have to leave things in your car, put them out of sight, in the boot, before you leave home.
• When you park, take out your removable car stereo and take it with you. Don’t leave it in the glove compartment.
• The same advice applies to Satellite Navigation Systems, which are becoming increasingly popular with thieves.
• Park with care. Park in busy or well-lit areas near CCTV cameras, or in police-approved car parks (look out for ‘ParkMarkTM’ on signs) if possible. You can find out which car parks are approved at www.saferparking.com
• Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car. Hide them at home, but not by the door. Thieves will use a rod or pole through the letterbox to steal car keys from hall tables.
• If you have a garage, keep your car in it and remember to lock both your car and the garage.
• Get a professionally fitted Thatcham-approved electronic immobiliser (you can find an approved installer through the Vehicle Systems Installation Board at www.vsib.co.uk), or you can use a steering lock on older cars. You can find information on products that have been tested by Thatcham (0870 5502006) or Sold Secure (01327 264687).
• When purchasing a new car, check out the list of top 70 vehicles, which are safest from theft. These are highlighted by the Car Theft Index and by British Insurance Car Security Awards listed on www.thatcham.org.
• Consider fitting a car alarm.

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