Motorists need to be aware of the added risks when parking their cars in unprotected areas.
Managing director of ADT Central Region, Clive Humphrey said, “Our officers on patrol often notice vehicles parked in unprotected areas.
He said with car theft on the increase, especially in the Parkhurst area, his company had introduced special vehicle alert slips which security officers placed under windscreen wipers to advise car owners that their cars were unsafe.
Humphrey urged car owners to park in protected areas and offered the following tips to ensure safety of vehicles.
Five ways to ensure your parked car is safe:
- Try not to park your vehicle in 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 and also at schools.
- Put valuables and other items in your boot. Do not leave valuables in plain sight inside your car.
