Putting brakes on car crime

A headline from just six years ago promised a brave new crime-free world for the modern car owner.

It read: ‘Technology Puts the Brakes on Car Crime’.

Such were the advances in car security that, or so reported the BBC, motor manufacturers were winning the war against car thieves.

New cars, we were told, were almost impossible to steal, with thieves being unable to bypass the plethora of new security systems in place.

The figures on car crime we reveal today, however, tell a very different story.

There were more than 350,000 car crimes reported in the UK in 2016 alone. That’s fast approaching 1,000 a day!

So how are the security improvements failing to kick car crime into touch?

Well, the best security in the world may be a match for the criminal, but it’s no match for the absent minded car owner. While it’s true that those who commit car crime are moving with the times, the biggest obstacle to car security are drivers.

You can have the best security in the world, but if it’s not engaged, it’s worthless.

The top tips for keeping your car safe may sound like common sense, but they are being ignored far too often ... and to the criminal’s benefit.

If you really want to beat the car thief, you could do worse than follow these simple rules: Always make sure your car is locked (listen for the telltale ‘click’ when activated; don’t leave valuables on display; park in well-lit areas; keep your car keys safe (too many people leave them near open doors and windows); don’t leave your car running and unattended; and use the security features on your car.

Forget technology, the owner is best placed to put the brakes on car crime.