Thames Valley Police today took to social media to warn that car thefts are on the rise.
''There has been an increase in Theft from Vehicles, this has mainly been in the Oldbrook area but this doesn’t mean that your car is safer elsewhere. Please try not to leave things on display and if you see someone acting suspicious around a car then call the police. I’m sure the owner of the vehicle would rather talk to an officer about it being their car rather and trying to list everything that has been taken.''
Below are some tips on how to prevent car theft.
Take out your stereo and sat-nav if you can
Be seen to be secure
Take good care of your keys.
Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even while driving.
When parked, never leave your keys in the car. Close all the windows and the sunroof.
Never leave your car running and unattended.
Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle where passersby can see them.
Do not leave your vehicle title in the car. Too often a car thief is pulled over and gets away from the police because he or she can produce the auto registration. (If multiple drivers use the vehicle, the best suggestion would be to hide the registration in a secret location in the car that only the owners know.)
Install an anti-theft system in your vehicle if it doesn’t have one. Thieves are reluctant to steal vehicles if they know the cars can be recovered quickly. Many insurers offer discounts for the types of systems listed below.
Thieves prefer to work in the dark. Be particularly cautious at night about where you park your car. Park it in a well-lit area if possible.
Look around. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in garages, parking lots and gas stations.
Have your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) etched on each of the windows. Car thieves want to get off cheap. They don’t want to go to the expense of replacing all the glass.
On an incline, leave your car in park or in gear with the wheels turned toward the curb or some other obstruction. This makes it harder for thieves to tow your vehicle.
If confronted by a carjacker, do not resist. Cars can be replaced; you can’t.