How to stay one step ahead of vehicle thieves
There are several ways to welcome a new year in, but getting your car or van stolen isn’t one of them. So it’s wise to be aware of the fact that vehicle theft is on the rise – last year 85,688 cars were stolen, up 30% in comparison to four years previously.
With car alarms being one of the most ignored sounds on the planet – can you remember the last time you got out of bed to investigate whose car was being stolen out on the street – is this increase all that surprising?
Well it’s actually thought that those alarms can still be effective, with the AA saying that they can act as a deterrent in the same way that floodlights in a garden might.
However, it seems that the real culprit when it comes to an increase in vehicle theft, is the fact that thieves have expanded their repertoire and started using what are known as ‘locking jammers’. These devices block the signal sent to a vehicle by its key when the owner is trying to lock their car.
Thieves also have a device called a ‘relay box’ which can find a signal from your vehicle keys lying by the front door and transmit it to the car or van out on your driveway. Your unknowing vehicle will then open up.
It’s all very unnerving and unless you have a secure garage you might be wondering what you can do to keep your vehicle safe…
Putting your car keys is a tin container that will block signals from thieves’ relay boxes is one way. You can also go retro and join the trend for steering locks - sales from Disklock, a steering lock manufacturer, doubled last year.
Either way just remember that there are people out there who will do anything to get at your four wheels!
With car alarms being one of the most ignored sounds on the planet – can you remember the last time you got out of bed to investigate whose car was being stolen out on the street – is this increase all that surprising?
Well it’s actually thought that those alarms can still be effective, with the AA saying that they can act as a deterrent in the same way that floodlights in a garden might.
However, it seems that the real culprit when it comes to an increase in vehicle theft, is the fact that thieves have expanded their repertoire and started using what are known as ‘locking jammers’. These devices block the signal sent to a vehicle by its key when the owner is trying to lock their car.
Thieves also have a device called a ‘relay box’ which can find a signal from your vehicle keys lying by the front door and transmit it to the car or van out on your driveway. Your unknowing vehicle will then open up.
It’s all very unnerving and unless you have a secure garage you might be wondering what you can do to keep your vehicle safe…
Putting your car keys is a tin container that will block signals from thieves’ relay boxes is one way. You can also go retro and join the trend for steering locks - sales from Disklock, a steering lock manufacturer, doubled last year.
Either way just remember that there are people out there who will do anything to get at your four wheels!
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