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Dear Resident
The Local Officers would like to advise you that there has been a recent increase of auto crime across the Eastfield area. The majority of crimes being reported are items being taken from the vehicle while it is parked outside the owners property.
These incidents are mainly taking place over night but there has been reports that this is taking place during the day. When you park and leave you vehicles please take the time to remove any valuables from inside the vehicle and check that the vehicle is locked and secure when you leave it.
Please see the below crime prevention advice that will help minimise the chance of you becoming a victim of auto crime.
Lock your vehicleLocking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open. It is actually illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather. If someone takes it while it’s left like this, your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered. If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked. Keep the keys safeVehicles today are by and large more difficult to steal than ever, unless the thief can access your key or fob to clone them. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox. If you're selling your car and you meet up with a potential buyer, do not allow the keys out of your sight. Your keys may be cloned by thieves and used later to steal your vehicle.
Keyless entryCars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance of the car. This can be from inside a pocket or bag. If you have to push a button on your car key to open your car, you don't have keyless entry. Keyless car theft or 'relay theft' is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition. Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside your home. This means that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal your car. How to protect your keyless entry car Additional physical security such as locks and immobilisers are still highly recommended. Section six on this page has more information about this. Park responsiblyIt’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas. It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a well-lit and busier street. And if possible, always try to park in illuminated and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award. To find one, simply check out Park Mark. Fit good in-car security locksAdditional physical security can help to prevent your vehicle being driven away even if a thief gains entry. There are a range of security rated products tested by Sold Secure that can help, such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks. Some of these products, tested to Sold Secure Diamond, can even resist a small hand-held angle grinder. It's also worth speaking to your vehicle dealership about installing an aftermarket immobiliser approved by the manufacturer. Immobilisers prevent a vehicle from starting unless the correct fob, key or activation process is used. They can be personalised so that you're the only one who knows how to unset it via a number of dashboard controls. Double-check electronic lockingElectronic devices can be used to jam the electronic signal from your key fob to lock your vehicle. Always manually check your vehicle has locked before walking away. If unsure, lock it manually, then scan the immediate area for anyone hanging around. If a potential thief who’s watching feels they’ve been spotted, they’ll probably move off.
For more information about police preferred specification products that help to reduce the chances of vehicle crime please visit:
Stay Safe
Dan | ||||
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