Over the past ten years or so, car crime has fallen dramatically. This is partly due to the popularity of highly effective engine immobiliser devices, and partly due to the decreasing demand for used cars which has come about as a result of the soaring cost of keeping a car refuelled and on the road.
Due to the widespread adoption of engine immobiliser systems, it has become a lot harder to steal cars outright, leading to a reduction in joyriding incidents, but professional car thieves have taken to removing valuable, and relatively accessible items from cars such as satellite navigation systems, number plates, and catalytic converters instead.
Catalytic converters are hugely valuable as spare parts or even as scrap, due to the fact that they are full of precious metals. By leaving your car parked in a secure area such as a lock up or a car park with CCTV, you can reduce the risk that someone will climb under your car and steal your catalytic converter.
You might not think that having your number plates stolen is that much of a big deal, but if those plates are then put on a vehicle that is used to commit other crimes, or driving offences, then you will be held responsible, unless you had reported your loss to the police and DVLA immediately.
Due to the fact that satellite navigation equipment is valuable, and relatively easy to steal from an unattended vehicle, you should keep it out of sight from thieves when you are out of the vehicle for any length of time. It is important to remove the device, the cradle and suction pads, and clean off any marks left by the pads on your windscreen, as thieves may see the marks, or the pads themselves, as a sign that there may be a sat-nav unit hidden away in the glove compartment.
One of the most effective ways to prevent your car being stolen is to fit an immobiliser if you do not already have one, as the majority of stolen cars that are recovered by the police are not fitted with such a device, yet the majority of cars have them.
As a general rule, the older a car is, the easier it is to steal. Cars built before 1996 are considered as being a very high theft risk, whereas cars built after 1999 are considered to be a very low theft risk, and this is mainly due to the widespread adoption of immobilisers and other technologies.
If you have a highly desirable car, such as a luxury or sports model, then you may want to take extra steps to secure them even if they are fitted with an immobiliser, as thieves tend to be willing to go to extra lengths to steal cars of this type.
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