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Car owners and drivers need to be aware of the added risks when they park their cars in unprotected areas.
“Our officers on patrol often notice vehicles parked in unprotected areas,” said the managing director of ADT central region, Clive Humphrey.
“With car theft on the increase, especially in the Parkhurst area, ADT has introduced special vehicle alert slips for our officers to help address vehicles parked in unprotected areas in the neighbourhood.”
Humphrey urged car owners to park in protected areas and offered the following tips to ensure the safety of their vehicles:
- Try not to park your vehicle on the street. If possible, park in a garage or behind a locked gate.
- If you are parking in a public place, park in a well-lit area with regular security patrols and cameras.
- Avoid parking in dark, secluded spots, or in corners that may provide natural hiding places.
- Physically check that your doors are locked. Criminals often use remote-jamming devices to block cars from locking. This is prevalent at shopping centres (big and small) and also at schools.
- Put valuables and other items in your boot. Do not leave valuables in plain sight inside your car.
“Please share these safety tips with your friends and family so we can all work together to fight crime,” Humphrey said.