Press releases

Uk drivers at a loss to prevent car losses

Drivers in Britain are at a loss to know how to combat car thefts which are running at more than a thousand a day.

The UK has the worst car theft problem in Europe with one car stolen nearly every minute.

Yet a survey carried out across the country for breakdown service Autonational Rescue, has shown that 99% of all owners do take some sort of precaution to stop the car thieves.

All but 7% of drivers lock the car, 88% close the windows and sunroof, and 80% take the added precaution of hiding or removing all valuables from the vehicle.

There is room for improvement, however. A third of motorists had invested in the added precaution of a steering wheel lock but just 64% of those took the time to actually fit the device.

And similar figures were highlighted when it came to secure parking in a garage.

A third of those surveyed had a garage but more than a quarter of them failed to park in it, despite the fact that most car crime occurs close to home.

Autonational’s marketing manager Ronan Hart said: “The figures indicate that drivers are conscious of theft and take the simple precautions available to them, but to reduce the crime figures and to safeguard their vehicles further, manual alarms, steering wheel locks, garages and the like should be used to a greater extent.”

Tips to beat the thief eyeing your car or its contents, include:

• Never leave anything on display when parking and leaving your car.
• Electronic engine immobilisers are the most effective way to keep your car safe, but should be professionally fitted.
• When parking at home always use your garage, if you have one, and always lock both your car and garage. If you don’t have a garage, park in a well-lit open space.
• Away from home, try and park in an attended car park.
• Use a steering wheel lock every time you leave the vehicle.
• Professionally fitted car alarms are an effective deterrent.
• Locking wheel nuts are cheap and easy to fit and could mean you still have all your wheels when returning to your car.
• Have your car registration number etched on all windows, both windscreens and your headlamps.
• Get a lockable petrol cap.
• Buy a stereo you can remove or mark it with your registration number or postcode.
• Lock all doors both when you leave the car and when you’re driving.
• When you leave your car always take the ignition key with you. Don’t leave the engine running on a cold morning and return to the house. And at home keep keys, including the spare set, safe and out of sight.

The motoring survey - of the 1,000 adults interviewed at 65 sampling points - was undertaken across Great Britain by RSGB Omnibus, part of the TNS Group.

Ends

For more information about Autonational Rescue, the car breakdown service with the no claims bonus, call 07000 999 911

Issued by CPR Works
Tel: 01902 680068
Contact: Jenny Carr/Roger Eversley
E-mail:jenny@cpr.co.uk
Web: www.cpr.co.uk

Back