Auto Locksmith Westminster

Ways To Prevent Car and Vehicle Theft In East Sussex

In East Sussex there are particular areas and places which car thieves search for potential targets. Our guide will explore crime hot spots and the steps you can take to protect your vehicle.  It is possible to leave your car in your driveway for the night, but it would be foolish not to invest in security cameras or steering wheels locks. This will help keep potential thieves at bay. Research suggests that vehicle theft is an increasing problem in Britain, as 100,000 vehicles were reported stolen between 2019 and 2020.

While immobilisers help to prevent robbers from entering our vehicles through smart steering wheels locks and keyless access systems, skilled crooks know how to take advantage of the time that most people forget to do basic tasks.

There are simple ways to instantly decrease the chance that your car will get stolen.

1. Always Lock your Vehicle

Even when you are doing tasks around your vehicle which take a few seconds or minutes such as filling it up with petrol or cleaning the exterior of the car you should always lock your car. Even after your vehicle is locked, make sure you do not leave the windows or the sunroof unlocked.

You cannot leave your vehicle unattended while de-icing it, warming it in cold weather or heating it. It is illegal to leave your car running while unattended and your insurance won't cover you if someone steals it during these circumstances. Lock your vehicle with wing mirrors that automatically fold up when you lock it. This is because criminal gangs will be looking to find vehicles with wing mirrors that have not been locked. It might not be obvious when you go out, but this is something you can easily forget when you leave your car at home. It's a good idea to hide any valuable electronics in your car boot or move them into your own home. Make sure the dash cam records everything even if the engine is turned off, if it's necessary to keep an expensive piece of electronic equipment in the vehicle. If the thieves try to get into the car and bump it (which they most likely will do) the dashcam will catch everything. It may even act as a deterrent visual if the camera is visible. Thieves don't want their faces recorded! Even though it sounds obvious, it is sometimes easy to overlook whether or not your car has locked. Avoid leaving the car unattended, even for just a few seconds to empty your recycling bins or take your shopping bag back. Car theft can result from 'frost-jacking,' which is done in winter. It's when motorists let their car run while defrosting it. They then nip insides and wait for thieves to come in. You can avoid this by keeping your car visible when you are defrosting.

2. You Should Keep Your Keys Safe

Nowadays, vehicles are much harder to steal than they were in the past. This is unless the criminal has your fob or keys that can be used to copy them. When you're at home, keep your keys hidden from prying eyes and away form your front door. Car keys can be taken from within your home by burglars who use a hook through your letterbox to catch them.

Vehicles With Keyless Entry

If the key is within a certain distance from the vehicle, keyless entry vehicles unlock themselves automatically.  The term "keyless car theft" or "relay theft" refers to when a device is installed that tricks the vehicle into thinking that the key is within reach. This will unlock the car and turn the ignition on, which will enable them to steal the car. For thieves to steal your car signal, they only need to be within range of your key and your home. The theft of your car can happen even if it's secured in your garage in your East Sussex home.

How to Secure your Vehicle from the threat of keyless car theft

• Your car keys (and your spare) should be kept away from your car when you're at home.
• The keys should be kept in a secure pouch or other signal-blocking device, such as the Faraday Bag.
• When you buy a secondhand vehicle, it is important to reprogram your keys.
• Your fob's wireless signals should be turned off when not in use.

3. You should be aware of carjackers

Being in your vehicle while it’s unlocked doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of it being stolen as you still are prone to opportunistic carjackers who aren’t afraid to assault you to steal your vehicle. You should always drive with your vehicle locked. If you need to exit a jammed spot, leave enough distance between your vehicle and the curb to make it possible to turn around. If someone collides with you, you should pull over in safe spot with plenty of people. Remember, the individual who collided with your car could very well be a hijacker. Consider calling the police in case you are suspicious. Many modern vehicle alarms and tracker systems allow you to shut down your fuel supply in case of theft which will cause your vehicle to be brought to a complete halt.

4. Park Responsibly

Avoid parking in dark areas or in secluded locations. A five to ten minute walk is worth it if you can park your vehicle in a well-lit, busier area. You can turn your wheels towards another vehicle by using a simple trick. It makes it harder for thieves and others to get away with your car. You will have time to contact the police to note their details if they are able to steal the engine. It is important to make sure that your vehicle and belongings are visible to all who may be looking for them. When an intruder walks onto your land or driveway, the driveway security lights will flash. This will alert your neighbours and scare off the intruders. It can also be used to document the crime.

5. Look Out for Illegal Tow Trucks

Thieves will often try to take vehicles out of the street so you should report suspicious behaviour by tow-away crew members immediately if it isn’t marked or uniformed. Height-restricted car parks can help stop removal vans and illegal tow trucks. It is possible to protect and track your vehicle by installing a Thatcham category 1 or 2, alarm system, with anti-grab, movement and tracking sensors.

6. In-car Security Locks & Cameras

Remember that even built-in steering locks don't guarantee theft resistance. Many locks can be removed and bent. A Sold Secure steering wheel and clutch lever can provide additional protection for your vehicle. It is amazing how technology has developed so quickly, particularly in the field of home security. A CCTV security camera can be installed to monitor your car and record any important footage. Night vision cameras are often equipped with features that include AI-powered people detector, HD resolution, weather-proof bodies, and access to a stream, adjustable camera angles, alarms and trespass notifications.

7. Double-check the Electronic Locking

An electronic device can jam your vehicle's key fob signal. You should always check that the lock is on before you go. If you're unsure about locking your car, make sure to lock it manually and then check the surrounding area for potential thieves. If someone is watching and feels that they are being spotted, they may move away.

8. Ensure To Check If The Vehicle Has Been Cloned Before Buying

The simplest way to alter the identity of your vehicle is by adding stolen number plate. Make sure you check the DVLA V5 file before purchasing a vehicle. Also, make sure that the Vehicle Identification Number or (VIN) is exactly the same on the document

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