Crime Prevention Advice - Theft from a Vehicle

Crime Prevention Advice - Theft from a Vehicle

Theft from motor vehicles is often an opportunistic crime, but there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk. By taking a few precautions and making your vehicle less attractive to thieves, you can help protect your belongings and prevent unnecessary damage or inconvenience. The following advice offers guidance to help keep your vehicle secure and reduce the opportunities for theft:

Don't Leave Valuables on Show

It might sound obvious but leaving items on show is an invitation to the opportunist criminal - mobile phones, satnavs and mounts, power leads, money, wallets, handbags, sunglasses, coats, jackets and bags should always be removed from the vehicle or hidden well out of sight

Hide Keys & Fobs

Keys and ignition fobs should be kept safe and out of sight and reach. A common way to steal a car is to take the keys or ignition fob, so never leave them in the vehicle, even if it is unattended for a moment. When at home ensure that your keys or ignition fob are kept well away from windows or doors so that they cannot be seen by a potential thief, and never leave them close to the front door where they can be accessed through letterboxes. Put the keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday bag.

Lock Doors & Close Windows!

Always lock and close the windows of your vehicle when you leave it unattended - be this on the drive, the petrol station forecourt, when de-icing your vehicle in the winter or when getting a ticket to park. An unlocked vehicle is the easiest to steal or steal from.

Fit an Alarm

If your vehicle is not fitted with a manufacturers’ fitted alarm and/or immobiliser, consider installing an approved system.

Install a Tracker

Tracker systems can increase the recovery of your car if it is stolen. Many systems activate once the car is stolen and track the car via GPS and other systems. SBD have several members which specialise in this area and can advise you on the best system and fitting of the product for your vehicle type

Use Physical Security

Physical security products such as a steering wheel lock or a lock that fits over the gear lever still act as a good deterrent

Secure your Number Plates

Fit theft-resistant number plate fittings. Stolen number plates are commonly used to hide the identity of stolen vehicles. Use one-way clutch head screws to secure number plates

Park under street lights

If you are parking your car on the street overnight, consider parking it under or near a street light. The opportunistic criminal does not want to be seen or caught and this simple step may protect your car, not only from theft but also from someone causing criminal damage to your vehicle.

Consider CCTV

CCTV can be a deterrent and help protect both your car and home. If you do decide to use CCTV it is important to read the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) advice on Domestic CCTV systems. Click the button below to find out more:

If you see anything suspicious please can 101/999 or you could call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You don’t have to leave your name and you may even receive a reward.

You can also provide information anonymously on the Crimestoppers website

Please also find attached the Police Crime Prevention Handbook which covers a broad range of crime prevention advice.

Thank you

Humberside Police

To find out more about your local policing team including who your officers are, updates on policing priorities and details of meetings and events please visit https://www.police.uk.