Lock your vehicle

Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open. If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminals are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out as it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.

Keep the keys safe

Vehicles today are by and large more difficult to steal than ever, unless the thief can access your key or fob to clone them. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox.

Do not leave an property in the vehicle

Criminals often look inside the vehicle to see if anything is worth stealing, double check your vehicle when you have parked up to ensure no wallets, bags or other items have been left inside and will grab the first thing they see. 

 Fit good in-car security locks

Additional physical security can help to prevent your vehicle being driven away even if a thief gains entry. There are a range of security rated products that could help, such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks. Some products can even resist a small hand-held angle grinder. It's also worth speaking to your vehicle dealership about installing an aftermarket immobiliser approved by the manufacturer. Immobilisers prevent a vehicle from starting unless the correct fob, key or activation process is used. They can be personalised so that you're the only one who knows how to unset it via a number of dashboard controls.

Park responsibly

It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas. It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a well-lit and busier street.