How to keep car thieves at bay

Eager to prevent your car from being stolen? Ted Welford runs through some helpful pointers.

Car theft remains a significant problem in the UK, with 48,500 vehicles taken from their owners in 2021 alone.

While these numbers are much lower than they were a few decades ago, thieves have been changing tactics in recent years and are now increasingly targeting ‘keyless’ cars by exposing their often-weak security.

There are several things you can do to help protect your car from being stolen, however. Here are some tips…

THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU PARK

Where you park your car can often play a significant part in the likelihood of a thief taking a chance with it. When out and about, try and choose the safest place possible to leave your vehicle. Well-lit places are an immediate deterrent, along with car parks with CCTV.

The Park Mark website can help you find facilities approved for safety and security. Parking when you get home is also important. If you have a very visible driveway, it will make crooks notice your car more easily – so having the option to park around the back of your house can be helpful. Similarly, you could look at installing a parking bollard in front of your vehicle to reduce the likelihood of it being stolen.

STORE YOUR KEYS CAREFULLY

It goes without saying that as soon as you get out of your car, you should always lock and secure it. And never be tempted to leave it running – such as when defrosting it on a cold winter’s morning. Opportunist thieves can pounce on scenarios like these. You also need to think about where you put your keys. Never put them somewhere that’s easily in sight (including inside your home), and try and put them as far away from the car as possible.

USE A FARADAY POUCH FOR KEYLESS CARS

If you have a keyless car, you could invest in a faraday pouch or box, which are available from around £5. You put your keys inside and then seal the pouch or box, which should stop any ‘keyless’ signals from being emitted – as crooks can use a device to connect with these and unlock and start the car. These pouches are a must for any keyless car owner, and don’t forget to put both sets in too. Just be aware that over time these pouches can fade and end up not blocking the signals – you can check by having the keys in the pouch while standing next to the vehicle and seeing if it opens.

TAKE A LOOK AT STEERING LOCKS

A physical deterrent is another great idea – and one of the best is a steering lock. They might have been well used many years ago, and in this day and age of keyless cars, they’ve made a comeback. Not only will steering locks deter thieves in the first place, but they will add time to the job of stealing the car. If you drive a particularly desirable car that’s fitted with keyless entry or start, it’s worth buying.

INSTALL ‘GHOST’ IMMOBILISERS AND TRACKERS

Another helpful deterrent is an immobiliser. All new cars these days have them but you can add another step by fitting a ‘ghost’ immobiliser. This is where a certain button or number sequence needs to be entered into the car for it to start. It means that even if someone has your keys, they won’t be able to start the vehicle without knowing this pin code. But should the worst happen, that’s where a vehicle tracker will come in. When installed into the vehicle, you’ll be able to see where the car has been taken, and be able to work with the police to hopefully recover the vehicle. Trackers can sometimes be removed by thieves, however.

TAKE OUT ANY VALUABLES

Even if thieves aren’t set out to steal the car itself, it’s a good idea to try and protect the vehicle from being broken into. The easiest step you can do is to take out any valuables that will put criminals off breaking in. It’s worth putting any bags or boxes on show (even if of little worth) into the boot or out of sight, just in case someone breaks in thinking it is an item of value.

NEVER PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER

One thing you should never do when it comes to preventing car theft, is putting yourself in danger. Some thieves will be part of organised networks and will not be afraid of using violence. It’s never worth risking your life or health, or that of anyone else, in trying to protect your vehicle.

If you’re out and about, always try to use a well-lit car park with CCTV; Not only do steering locks hopefully deter thieves, they will add time to the job of stealing the car

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 keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from your front door. And never leave them in the ignition.

Across the UK, 48,500 vehicles were stolen in 2021