Most owners still in the dark about how to stop car theft
Thu, 06 Jul 2023
The majority of car owners don’t know how to protect their car against the latest high-tech thefts, according to new research by Startline Motor Finance.
That's despite car theft increasing by 25% in 2022 according to government figures.
Startline's Used Car Tracker for July shows that although 44% of respondents acknowledge this increase in theft fewer than two out of people have heard of techniques such as relay theft, key cloning and signal blocking.
The alarming rise in car thefts has largely been attributed to the growing sophistication of car thieves who employ various advanced methods to gain unauthorised access to vehicles. It appears car owners have not yet caught up when it comes to implementing basic measures to protect their cars from these crimes.
"Relatively low-cost, simple methods can have a real impact. Keeping your key well away from your car can limit the potential for theft while storing the key in a Faraday wallet is a low cost and effective solution. Also, some keys can simply be put into sleep mode," says Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance.
"Turning to old-school theft prevention devices like steering locks is another good idea. Thieves who are using a high-tech approach to stealing your car are generally less well-equipped to start grappling with physical barriers."
The Startline Used Car Tracker survey also highlighted that 9% of respondents knew someone whose car had been recently stolen.
How to protect your car:
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Use a visual deterrent - Time is of the essence to thieves and most will shun vehicles that increase the odds of being caught. That’s why proven devices like the Disklok are useful because they present a physical barrier that requires significant time and effort to remove.
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Fit an alarm, immobiliser or tracker - Alarms and immobilisers are not standard on every car in the UK. That’s why it’s important to invest in a good system that will draw attention to anyone who tries break into your car and stop them from driving away. For upmost peace of mind, fit a nano tracking device that will allow the police to pinpoint the car's location in the event of it being stolen.
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Use a Faraday bag to prevent keyless theft – Criminals are developing increasingly high tech ways to steal cars. One method is to boost the keyless signal (from within your home) with a relay box. Once boosted, the car will unlock and (in some cases) allow the thief to drive away. However, from as little as £10, you can get a Faraday bag that blocks electromagnetic fields and stops the radio frequency being amplified.
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Park smart - Not everyone has the luxury of a driveway or large, secure garage to store their car in. However, if you do park on the street, be sure to use well-lit areas that are clearly visible to passing traffic and pedestrians. Many city centre streets use CCTV and it's wise to note their locations and (if convenient) park within their field of vision. When using public car parks, be sure to use the bays near the entrance/exit as these will be better lit and covered by security cameras.
- Never leave anything valuable on display – Loose change, cardboard boxes, plastic bags, electronic charging leads – they’re all adverts for thieves. Even a sucker mark of a sat nav holder on a grubby windscreen is a sign that there might be an expensive bit of tech hidden in your car’s glovebox. Always be mindful of what's on display in your car and never give a thief an open invitation for a smash and grab.
Are there any new cars available without keyless entry?
