How Common are Car Thefts in the UK?

Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of cars being stolen in the UK, especially for premium cars with brands such as Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, etc. In 2015, the number of premium cars stolen from January to October was around 6,000 cars. In 2019, within just four years, the figure had more than doubled, reaching a total of around 14,000 for the same months. This signifies the importance of setting up measures that protect you against car theft. Here are five ways how you can protect yourself from car theft in the UK. 1. Ensure the Vehicle Is Locked It is critical to make sure your car is locked even if you are leaving only for a few minutes. The locks on some of the newer vehicles are so subtle that they barely make a sound while locked. Therefore, you should recheck every time you park your car in a public street. Also, never leave your car running as someone can pinch it off you quickly. 2. Invest in Robust Security Devices As technology has progressed, more and more cars have started to feature gadgets such as immobilizers and alarms, although many thieves have found ways around these technologies as well. This is where you can use conventional safety devices, which act as a great deterrent to burglars trying to steal your car. Gearstick locks, steering wheel locks, and pedal locks are economical, easy to use, and dispiriting to thieves. Lastly, you can also install tracking devices and/or CCTV systems in your driveway near the cars to help locate the vehicle and the thief if you have been involved in a car robbery. You can find CCTV systems and other security devices at eagle security systems. 3. Make Sure the Keys Are Safe The most casual way to have your car stolen is to expose your keys to potential burglars. Whenever you are in public places, make sure that your keys are with you the whole time, safe from the eyes of the predators. Moreover, never leave your keys alongside windows and doors, which make them visible to the outside. 4. Invest in a Faraday Pouch Relay theft is when thieves try to trick your vehicle with the presence of the car key when they are using a keyless entry. A few of the cars have systems that can be turned off, blocking signals that prevent them from being hijacked. In case you don’t have that facility available with your car, install a Faraday pouch. The shield inside the pouch prevents static electric fields, protecting your car from being hijacked. Other good things about these pouches are their availability in various retail outlets throughout the UK and the low cost. 5. Park Wisely Suppose you do not have a private garage or a place off the street to park your car. In that case, it is imperative to find an illuminated location with decent activity whenever you’re parking the car. This will deter thieves from trying to steal your car as they are on the lookout for vehicles that are sitting in distant corners for an easy steal.

For more information on How Common are Car Thefts in the UK? talk to Eagle Security Solutions Ltd