Drivers turn to steering locks again

FOR years they were a popular and cheap way for drivers to protect their cars from thieves.

But mechanical steering locks fell out of favour as car security systems went hi-tech.

Now they are making comeback because thieves have developed ways to beat the security systems. Disklok, a supplier of steering wheel locks, has seen its orders more than double over the past year after a surge in car thefts.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 85,688 cars were reported stolen last year – a rise of 30 per cent from 2013.

Mark Godfrey, of RAC Insurance, warned that modern anti-theft devices are being outwitted. ‘Steering wheel locks are starting to make a comeback, as they are still an effective visible deterrent,’ he said.