Car crime is not uncommon in
the UK and vehicle security is an important issue for all motorists –
regardless of whether you drive a hatchback, saloon, estate, coupe or convertible.
Fortunately, there are a number of measures that can be taken to keep your car
safe and secure.
As leading Newcastle
locksmiths
, we have been called out to cut and program new car keys for
victims on several occasions. However, our auto locksmiths
wanted to share a few top tips to help you to protect your motor.
6 vehicle security tips
1.Make
sure your car has an alarm and immobiliser
Is there anything more
frustrating than being woken by the sound of a car alarm, only to find the
neighbourhood stray cat looking guilty? Probably not – but most modern cars
these days come with an alarm and immobiliser and alert you to unscrupulous
behaviour.
Although an alarm won’t
physically stop thieves from stealing your vehicle, they will likely think
twice as they will attract unwanted attention (both from you and your
neighbours!). An immobiliser, on the other hand, is an electronic device that
prevents the car from being started without the proper key. Whilst it might not
deter someone from breaking into it, it may stop it from being driven away.
2.Have a
car tracking system fitted
There’s no denying that a
tracker can be quite expensive and a transmitter will need to be hidden in your
car. But – in the unfortunate event of your car being stolen, it could easily
be tracked and recovered.
There are two popular types of
tracker:
· GPS systems
–
find your vehicle at street level
· VHF systems
–
find your vehicle even if it’s hidden in an underground car park or storage
unit
If your vehicle doesn’t have a
tracking device already, it’s well worth considering one.
3.Park
your car in a secure place
Got room on your drive to park
your car? Perhaps you have a garage? Vehicles parked off the road are far less
likely to be stolen than those left on the highway.
If you’re away from home,
always make sure that your vehicle is parked in a secure car park – ideally,
one with a ticket barrier or security attendant. If you’ve no option but to
leave your car on the road, make sure it’s in a busy, well-lit area with CCTV
cameras.
4.Keep
valuables hidden from view
Whether it be a satnav, mobile
phone, laptop, handbag or pair of designer sunglasses, it’s never a good idea
to leave valuable items on display within your car.
If possible, take all your
expensive belongings with you. And if you really must leave them in the
vehicle, at least keep them hidden in the boot or glove compartment. And don’t
forget to lock the car – you shouldn’t need our Newcastle locksmiths
to
tell you that!
5.Use a
steering wheel lock
Call us old fashioned, but you
can’t beat a tough metal steering lock. Designed to prevent the steering wheel
from being used when the car is left unattended, these locking devices don’t
cost the earth to buy. However, the more you pay, the better the security.
Ok, so they’re not
impenetrable to experienced car thieves but they are an excellent visual
deterrent – letting criminals know that it will take longer for them to pinch
the car.
6.Keep a
spare key in a safe place
Keeping a spare key somewhere
handy is useful in case you manage to lock yourself out of the car, lose your
key or if you need to use the car but your other half has accidentally taken
your key with them.
Although our locksmiths in
Newcastle
can cut and programme keys for most vehicles at our auto key centre
on
West Road, you must make sure that you find a safe place to keep them.
Otherwise, thieves could use your spare to let themselves into your car without
you even knowing.
Want to know more?
Whether it be more tips on
keeping your vehicle secure or to discuss your requirements in further detail,
feel free to get in touch with our Newcastle locksmiths
. We are on hand
24/7 and will be more than happy to share our expertise. You can either call
0191 238 6000 or email info@nlssecurity.co.uk
, and
we’ll get back to you.
