Top tips to keep your vehicle safe as thefts increase

Drivers are being advised to make sure vehicles are secure following an increase in vehicle thefts around the county.

Thefts have increased by just over seven per cent since 1 April, compared to the same period last year, however in some areas the increases were significantly higher. In Broxbourne thefts were up 52 per cent, North Herts offences increased by more than 43 per cent and in Hertsmere thefts rose 21 per cent*.

Nicola Chamberlain, Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Crime Prevention lead, said: “Thefts of vehicles have increased over the last few months, but some areas have been worse hit than others. Many of the vehicles targeted by thieves have been high value keyless entry vehicles, particularly during the evenings and overnight.

“We’re advising drivers to make sure vehicles are locked up before leaving them unattended and to consider using a good quality steering wheel lock, which is a great deterrent. If you have a keyless entry vehicle, use a signal blocking fob pouch (Faraday bag) and keep fobs and store any spare keys in a metal box when not in use, so that criminals can’t use signal relay devices to unlock and start your vehicle remotely.”

To minimise the chance of becoming a victim we offer the following advice:

• Lock your car whenever it is left unattended and keep it in a garage when parked at night if possible.
• When at home, keep your keyless car fob (and the spare) well away from the car.
• Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag.
• An approved strong full cover steering wheel lock prevents theft, even if the vehicle security system is bypassed. 
• Reprogramme your key fobs if you buy a second-hand car.
• Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even if you are only absent for a moment. 
• Consider fitting CCTV covering your home and driveway, to help deter thieves.
• Use PIR or LED security lighting to make your vehicle more visible as this can also act as a deterrent.
• Always consider parking in a car park that has been accredited with the police approved “Park Mark” scheme.
• Noisy gravel on your drive can help deter a would-be thief, as they don’t want to alert you to their approach.
• Never leave valuable items or tools on display in your vehicle as this may encourage a thief to break in.
• For security products for your vehicles search the ‘accredited products’ page on the Secured by Design website (opens in new window)a police-approved website.

For more advice, please visit our crime prevention pages.

You can report information about crime online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat tool or call the non-emergency number 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

You can report vehicle crime anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.