Easy tips to prevent YOUR car being stolen by thieves

THERE are a number of ways in which you can deter would-be thieves from taking your car.

“New technology brings new types of crime and recent stories about hackers opening cars and cloning key fobs are worrying,” says Neil Greig, director of research and policy at the Institute of Advanced Motorists. “Be alert. If you see anyone hanging around your vehicle take extra care with its security. “High-end luxury vehicles and 4x4s are sometimes targeted by organised gangs so you may wish to consider a tracking device. Some insurers may insist on one. “It may not stop an actual theft but it often means the vehicle is found before it gets broken up or exported. “Removing a car is almost entirely dependent on having access to the car keys due to factory-fitted immobilisers being almost universal you should look after your car keys the same way as your purse or wallet. “It also means car thieves often break into your house to get to your keys. If you have a valuable car, locking away the keys at night or at least making them hard to find. A set of keys left in full view on the hall table is asking for trouble.”

The process: How thieves get the cars out of the countryThis timeline shows how thieves can steal your car and ship it across the globe in just six hours.8amA junior member of the gang carries out a recce of an affluent suburb. The gangs normally have a shopping list of the sort of cars they want.Desirable German marques such as Mercedes Benz, Audi and Porsche sports cars as well as showpiece 4×4 Range Rovers tend to top the list.Social media websites such as Facebook are also probed for pictures of possible targets and easily establish location information.On the same day..Once the “target car” has been spotted the gangsters start drafting fake ownership papers – but with a fake registration plate.6pmA junior member of the gang armed with flyers for a non-existent window cleaning firm goes door-todoor in the target car’s street. Wearing jeans and a t-shirt, any description of him will prove inconclusive to police.Once at the owner’s address he tried under plant pots and door mats for a spare key. During hot weather, he’ll help himself to keys left in outside security doors left open.1amWith the householders asleep, the gang make their move. If they haven’t got an easy way into the property, they’ll know where the keys or car fob is kept.The vast majority of crimes are committed by cunning criminals using a metal retractable claw which is extended through a letter box or window to pluck the car’s starter off its rack or out if its bowl.1.10amMany of the criminals may have bypassed the need for keys altogether and using a laptop and jammer have bypassed the remote keyless ignition starter.By this time someone is in the driving seat. Gangs also choose to rifle easy-to-pinch items wallets, iPads and cash which they take in the car.1.20amWithin minutes the gang will park, away from the glare of streetlights and CCTV, where fakeplates are quickly fitted.They will also try to remove, incapacitate or jam any tracking device fitted to the car.2amThe car has already been in a secure lock-up for a number of minutes now. With the clock running, a new identity for the car is created.The digital odometer giving the mileage is often changed. A fake V5, export papers and bogus logbook is put into the glovebox.The car’s unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is also changed.5amAfter its pit stop the car is driven to a port and loaded, normally with a number of other stolen cars, into a shipping container.Ports on the Continent and further afield such as India and China are destinations of choice.How to prevent this happening to youFind out what thieves are looking for and get some top tips on how to keep your car safe.Top tips Any anti-theft device will deter thieves, so it is always a good thing to have some kind of security measure. Criminals avoid vehicles that have visible devices and deterrents such as a sticker saying “this car has a tracker”. Etched window alarms are also good but factory-fitted ones are best. In a thief’s view, the ideal car has no visible security and signs of worn locks. The most common mistakes are leaving things on show such as phone leads, briefcases and handbags. Car thieves are obviously looking for unlocked cars or windows left open. Keys must be kept securely out of reach and away from letter boxes or open windows. Never leave anything with your name and address in the car. If you do, you put yourself at risk of house-breaking as the thief knows you’re not at home. When parking, turn the wheels into the kerb it makes the car harder to steal. When parking on a drive, always drive in rather than reverse and again, turn the wheels. If you have a driveway, use it. New breed of cunning car thieves can steal and ship your vehicle across the globe in just SIX HOURS – click here