What Can You Do to Help Reduce Risk?
Anyone can take many easy steps to ensure their cars' safety. The first step should be the removal of anything from the vehicle that might look enticing to a crook. This includes, computers, sat nav systems, stereos, and mobile phones. Just because you live in a small village where everyone knows their neighbours does not make you immune from becoming a victim of car crime. Indeed, thieves often rely on that level of trust and you will just be making yourself an easy target by leaving valuables inside your car.
Currently thieves are snatching keys from the key hangers in the porch, so lock your front door. The most common times for these crimes are around 4pm to 7pm as this is when most of us are arriving home from work. Having an automatic security light at your front door should help make it less likely that your house will be targeted and would as can letterbox visor guards and obscured windows in your front porch or door! Are your keys left on display?
Bury police have experienced just this problem and have issued their own warning that the common practice of leaving your keys close to the front door is allowing criminals to ?fish? for them through the letterbox using a cane with a hook or a magnet on the end. Some only need walk in as the front doors are not always locked!
Next, you can look into equipping your vehicle with an alarm system or at least a steering wheel lock, which lets thieves know that your car is protected. Make sure that your car insurance policy covers things like your stereo, if fitted, and anything else which you cannot remove easily.
Lastly, you can avoid parking your vehicle in questionable areas - especially at night - and do not leave your car in exactly the same spot for long periods of time. This could send a signal to thieves that you are out of town and turn your car into a temptation.
Although there has been an increase in the number of car thefts within small rural areas, it is important to remember that it can occur anywhere. However, if you follow some of the tips above you will be in a better position to safeguard your vehicle against the possibility of future attacks.
If you need advice or have information that could help curb car crime ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
When buying car insurance consider the age of your car and its value. Car insurance does have a shortfall and that is why GAP insurance exists. We pay out the money your car insurer does not! That's your car depreciation since the purchase. Buy GAP insurance to protect yourself from the losses new car owners experience due to depreciation. For a free no obligation quote visit our home page or phone us on 0844 357 8300 (Maximum call charge from a BT land line is 5p a minute. Calls from other networks may vary)
Copyright © 2008 Click4Gap | 
