Advice on how to avoid vehicle crime

You may never think you will fall victim to vehicle crime, but all it takes is one mistake or lapse of concentration and your vehicle could be taken from you. More than half of stolen vehicles are never found, and while taking out a comprehensive insurance policy on your car, van or other vehicle could look after you in the event of theft taking place, you could still lose precious valuables and have to expend substantial time and money looking for a replacement vehicle to get you from A to B.





Even something as straightforward as your driving habits could be putting you and your vehicle at unnecessary risk, but fortunately this is one area that is relatively easy to control. Simply by making sure you always keep your keys safe and out of sight of windows can help reduce the chances of criminals breaking into your home and making off with your vehicle, and the same goes for any belongings you keep in your van in plain sight, which could be more instantly gratifying to opportunists looking to carry out a quick theft.

Securing your vehicle is paramount to guarding it against crime, and fortunately modern security devices often pose too great a challenge for thieves looking to gain entry. Making sure your van is properly alarmed when parked, and that doors and windows are closed and locked, could be enough of a deterrent in itself for crooks. Parking itself can also be hazardous if you find yourself driving in unfamiliar areas, which is why your vehicle will generally be safer in a well-lit public place rather than in a dark alley.





Making sure your vehicle is secure not only reduces the risk of it ending up in the hands of criminals, but can also be important when claiming on your van or van insurance after damage from break-ins, demonstrating that your vehicle was adequately burglar-proof and helping cover the cost of repairs. Anti-burglar devices mean more than just alarms, after all, and you could consider investing in steering wheel locks, immobilisers to prevent the engine from working and even locking wheel nuts, to prevent thieves taking your alloy wheels.





In the unfortunate event that your vehicle is stolen, you still stand a better chance of being reunited when registering your details with organisations such as the Loss Prevention Council, who can record your registration number on their database. Contact your local Crime Prevention Officer for more details on vehicle identification and recovery services available in your area.