We have just received the following advice from Thames Valley Police, which we felt was worth sharing with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most vehicle crime is preventable. The best way to protect your belongings is to lock your car whenever you leave it. Other things you can do include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Removing everything from the car; don’t even leave a jacket where it can be seen<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Closing the sunroof along with the windows when you leave<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Not storing things in the boot; take them with you<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Taking removable stereos and sat nav equipment with you<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Where you park can make a big difference to the safety of your car and your belongings. Look out for car parks approved by the police Safer Parking scheme. You can find them by looking for their distinctive ‘Park Mark’ signs<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Having a routine to ensure you always take the keys out of the ignition<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Keeping your keys away from doors and windows, and tucked away out of sight. Thieves sometimes break into houses looking for car keys. They can also use wires and hooks ‘to try and drag’ your keys through the letterbox<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garage your vehicle where possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Storing car ownership information in your home, not your car<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Using secure (theft resistant) number plates can make your plates less attractive to thieve<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Have your vehicle’s windows etched with its registration number or the last seven digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN). This can put criminals off, as it makes your car more difficult to sell. It also makes it easier for police to get your car back to you if it is stolen<\/p>\n\n\n\n