Having your car broken into and losing your things to thieves can be very distressing. Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your vehicle, and what’s in it, safe.
1. Always lock it! Get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment.
2. Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws - The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.
3. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels - Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.
4. Secure anything that's on the outside of your vehicle - Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.
For further information and advice, visit Sold Secure.
5. Take it with you or hide it - Valuable items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief. It's best advised to take items with your, or at least hide them!
6. Hide electrical items and leave no clues - Leaving sat nav mounts, smartphone or other device in your car, even if they can’t see the Sat Nav or iPad they might still break in to see if it’s stored in the car, out of sight.
7. Tool theft from vans - Vans are often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, it's a good idea to mark them clearly with your name / company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray. Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.
Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools – a number of security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to record inside vehicles. Visit Secured by Design for more details.
You can also take photographs of items of value, make a note of the serial numbers and consider registering them online at a property register site.
8. Park in well lit areas
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