Yes, we’ve talked before about stopping would-be thieves from stealing your car. But what about stopping criminals from breaking in and stealing the contents?
Even though there is very little you can do to deter a really determined professional thief, there’s a lot you can do to make things difficult for the opportunist who’s ready to take advantage of a crime of convenience.
What are some of the easy steps you can implement to make life more difficult for a potential thief?
Lock it Down
Yes, it’s the obvious action. Criminals will often go round cars in a secluded car park, or a row of cars on a quiet street, trying all the handles. Rather than going to the hassle of smashing windows or breaking locks, all they have to do is go for another vehicle for another opportunity for theft.
If a thief does gain entry, then they it will only take a matter of mere seconds for them to find something to steal. And remember that key fobs can be blocked by technologically savvy criminals, so check the doors and that the boot is locked manually for that extra peace of mind.
Wind it Up
When the sun is blazing in the summer months, you might think of leaving the windows or sunroof open to get a little cooler air into the car. Remember, that whatever the weather, leaving gaps in your vehicle’s security makes it very tempting for a thief to reach in and spring the locks, or even grab your possessions.
When leaving your car always double check the windows and sunroof. And if it’s a hot day then take your dog with you rather than leaving it in the car.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Don’t leave your valuables on display for even a few minutes in the car. Sunglasses, handbags, wallets, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and even a handful of loose change, could be enough to make your vehicle a target. An empty gym bag might cause a break in if the perpetrator thinks there could be valuables in it.
Hide valuables in the glovebox, or the boot of the car, and avoid tucking them under the seat or in the door compartments. And remove that face-plate from your expensive stereo, and either take it with you or leave it hidden in the glovebox.
Hide the Proof
Thieves know the signs to look out for – those indicators that you might have left an expensive gadget in the car. Remove USB cables or power cords used to charge phones, or laptops and stash them out of site. Or if you have a suction mounted satnav system, then wipe away the tell-tale ring on the window, so that it doesn’t give the game away.
Think Ahead
Got valuables in the car? Know you’re going to be stopping and leaving your car in a high crime area? Then put these important items in the trunk before you arrive at your destination. Make it a habit and this way you won’t have to go through the process of moving them in front of prying eyes that could potentially target your vehicle.
Of course, the ultimate deterrent is to take everything with you out of your car – and if you really do have nothing in it worth stealing, then why not remove the parcel shelf to let thieves know this fact.
Shine the Light
Thieves love the cover of darkness, and poorly lit areas are likely to be some of their favourite hunting grounds. If you’re choosing a parking spot on a street, then first you’ll want to pick a busier street where passers-by and CCTV could make them think twice, and if you can’t find a busy street then try to park under a streetlight whilst avoiding large vehicles, hedges and fences that could be used to shield criminal activities.
Park It
Try not to park in the upper levels of multi-storey car parks, as thieves may be operating in the quiet and secluded environment. Look for car parks with prominent CCTV and regular security patrols. Cars that are isolated are likely to be more attractive targets, so always choose to park amongst the pack in busier car parks, as the last thing any criminal wants is to have to deal with a passer-by.
Our Final Word
Most criminals are opportunists and like to prey on easy targets. Eliminate their chances of a simple break-in and the chances are that you’ll be left alone. Remember that even if something is stolen from your car, most insurance policies require you to pay an excess, with you not actually reclaiming the full cost of an item. Additionally, some tech items like laptops and smartphones may even have photos and videos on them that you can never recover.
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