Hampshire Constabulary

Vehicle crime accounts for more than a quarter of all recorded crime in the UK and costs the taxpayer more than £3billion a year.

Most vehicle criminals are opportunists. By following the tips below you can outsmart thieves and limit their opportunities to steal your valuables or vehicle.

By clicking on the links on this page, you can download crime prevention materials.   

To find out more about Safer Vehicles, download our leaflet here (.pdf, 240KB). 

Fresh appeal to trace victims of vehicle crimes in Cowes on the Isle of Wight
(April 2011)

Police are publishing photographs of suspected stolen property to support an appeal to trace victims of vehicle crimes in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Click here to see the photos.

Hints and tips for protecting vehicles and valuables:

 

Theft from Vehicles

• Don’t leave anything in your car – if it’s not there, then it can’t be stolen.
• Choose a stereo that can be removed and make sure you take it with you! You should also mark it with your registration number or postcode, in case it’s stolen.  
• Thieves aren’t picky, so don’t leave even low-value items in your car. Often thieves will smash and grab first and look later to see if what they’ve stolen is valuable.
• Don’t hide it – if you hide items under the seat or in the glove box, chances are someone will have watched you. If you cannot avoid leaving something in your car, put it in your boot before you begin your journey.
• Don’t leave valuables in your car even for a minute – it only takes a thief a few seconds to smash a window and get what they want, so don’t take the chance.
• Your car isn’t safe on your driveway – nearly half of all incidents where items are stolen from cars happen when they are parked overnight, close to the owner’s home.
• Don’t leave your house keys or anything with your address on it in your vehicle - someone could steal your keys and then let themselves into your home.

Click here to download a Carsafe Scheme Checklist (front)

Click here to download a STOP! Card

Securing Cars

• Always secure your car.

• Always lock your car and wind your windows up, even if you are just posting a letter or going into a petrol station.
• If you are stationary in traffic, keep your doors locked and don’t wind your windows too far down – someone could reach in and try to grab something off your passenger seat.

Secure Parking

• If you are parking on the street, make sure it is a well-lit residential area in public view.
• If you are parking in a car park, try not to park close to anything – such as a high-sided vehicle or large bottle bank – that obscures your vehicle from public view.
• Look out for car parks that display the Park Mark logo – this means they have been designed with security in mind and have features such as good lighting and CCTV.
• Try not to advertise how long you will be away from your vehicle. For example, if you’re going to a football match don’t leave your team scarf on show because it’s obvious you’ll be gone for the duration of the game.
• If you’ve got a garage, use it and lock it – your vehicle is 40 times less likely to be broken into if it is in a locked garage.

Vehicle Security Precautions

• Use a steering wheel lock every time you leave your car – it makes life more difficult for the thief and therefore your car a less tempting target.
• Get a car alarm – they not only deter a thief from stealing the car, but also from stealing items from inside it. Have it fitted by a professional.
• Immobilisers stop the engine from starting if the car is being stolen and they are the best way to stop thieves. Having an immobiliser is a good idea if you have an expensive car, and it might help to reduce your insurance premiums.

Preventing Scooter/Moped Thefts

• Scooters and mopeds are becoming increasingly popular, both with commuters and thieves. These types of vehicle are nearly four times more likely to be stolen than motorbikes. Scooters and mopeds are light and easy to steal if they’re not parked securely, so it’s worth taking extra precautions.
• Park in safe areas where there are lots of passers-by and onlookers who will see if anyone is tampering with your scooter.
• Never leave anything, including your helmet, unsecured and on display.
• Have an alarm and immobiliser fitted – it is almost certainly worth the investment.

Click here to download a Moped Theft Prevention Leaflet.

Bicycles

• Get a good bike lock and attach your bike to something secure, e.g. a bike rack or a lamppost.
• Always lock your bicycle, even if you are only leaving it for a couple of minutes.
• Have your bike's frame security-marked or engraved.
• Keep your bike in a secure garage or shed and keep the door locked and keep it out of public view.

Click here to download a Stay Bike Safe Leaflet (page 1)

Click here to download a Stay Bike Safe Leaflet (page 2)

Click here to download a Stay Bike Safe Leaflet (page 3)

Click here to download a Stay Bike Safe Leaflet (page 4)

Caravans

• Immobilise your caravan even when you only stop briefly.
• Have a reliable alarm fitted and switch it on whenever you leave your caravan, even if only for a few minutes.
• At home, always keep caravan keys in a safe place out of sight from windows and doors and take valuables with you when you leave the vehicle.
• When your caravan is not in use, leave curtains and cupboard doors open – thieves can be put off by a caravan that is obviously empty.

Motorbikes

• Always lock your bike and set its alarm if it has one.
• Try to use a designated motorcycle parking place with a stand and security loop.
• When leaving your bike for some time, try to lock it to something secure. At home, you can fit special attachments to lock your bike to.
• Don't leave items such as helmets or other possessions with your bike.

Sat Navs

• If it's portable, take the sat nav with you together with the support cradle and suction pads.
• Wipe away any marks left by the suction pads as thieves will look out for these.
• Don't leave your equipment in the glove compartment – thieves usually check here first.

Trucks

• Lock and secure your vehicle whenever you leave the cab.
• Keep your keys with you when you are away from your vehicle.
• Use pre-planned secure overnight parking facilities whenever possible and decide on these before starting a journey.