Nine ways to combat rising car theft on the Bluff

THE rate of vehicle related crimes has increased within the Brighton Beach policing precinct.

These crimes reportedly occur mainly between 6am to 11am and no specific make or colour trend has been identified.

Guideline to minimise the risk of falling prey to a vehicle related crime:

1. Do not leave valuables in plain sight and lock everything away in the car boot. Do not travel with valuables on passenger seats, or the floor. Handbags must also be locked in the boot.
2. Never leave personal identification documents, vehicle ownership title or credit cards in your vehicle;
3. When locking your vehicle, check the door handle to ensure your door is locked securely. When activating your car’s alarm system with your remote, face your vehicle. Ensure you hear the doors lock and see the indicator lights flash. Wait for 30 seconds before you walk off to ensure your locking device had not been deactivated.
4. When parking your vehicle try doing so with the front facing an obstacle. Turn the wheels towards the curb and lock the steering.
5. Always lock all vehicle doors when parked, especially when parked behind security gates, and inside your garage.
6. Disable your vehicle against theft by installing a starter interrupt switch (killer switch).
7. Install a mechanical device that locks the steering wheel, column, or brakes (clubs/collars/J-bars). This minimises the chances of your vehicle being stolen as removing these security features will delay the thieves.
8. Invest in a vehicle theft tracking system. This will assist the police to track your vehicle if it is stolen or if you have fallen prey to a hijacking or kidnapping.
9. Do not leave vehicle keys or the spare set lying on tables, near windows or hanging on key racks. Place the keys in a drawer that cannot be reached through a window.