Industry News from Yes Insurance
22 June 2006 Keep car keys concealed
Motorists are being warned to take extra care concerning their vehicles following the theft of three cars from the home of a Conservative MP.
Edward Garnier had an Audi, a Ford and a Volkswagen taken from his home after thieves got into his house and stole the keys.
It has led to security marking and registration company Retainagroup issuing some detailed and important security advice.
"Manufacturers have been very successful in making cars difficult to steal, so vehicle crime has moved on and stealing keys - sometimes using violence - is increasingly the method of choice for car thieves," says Retainagroup's Wendy Rowe.
"What's needed is a strong theft deterrent, as alarms and immobilisers are no barrier when you have the keys. Sadly, Mr Garnier's experience is all too common," she adds.
Retainagroup insists that their method of marking vehicles with a visible code can go a long way to deterring potential thieves and this is backed up by statistics.
Marked vehicles are easier to trace and more difficult to sell on, with research showing that marked vehicles are 55 per cent less likely to be stolen.
The group is telling motorists to take a few simple steps to ensure they are not the victim of car crime.
"It is essential that keys should never be left in a vehicle, even for a minute, and that they are not left lying around at home or at work where an opportunist thief can easily find them. If a car is stolen with the keys, it might even invalidate the insurance," says Ms Rowe.
© Adfero Ltd
Edward Garnier had an Audi, a Ford and a Volkswagen taken from his home after thieves got into his house and stole the keys.
It has led to security marking and registration company Retainagroup issuing some detailed and important security advice.
"Manufacturers have been very successful in making cars difficult to steal, so vehicle crime has moved on and stealing keys - sometimes using violence - is increasingly the method of choice for car thieves," says Retainagroup's Wendy Rowe.
"What's needed is a strong theft deterrent, as alarms and immobilisers are no barrier when you have the keys. Sadly, Mr Garnier's experience is all too common," she adds.
Retainagroup insists that their method of marking vehicles with a visible code can go a long way to deterring potential thieves and this is backed up by statistics.
Marked vehicles are easier to trace and more difficult to sell on, with research showing that marked vehicles are 55 per cent less likely to be stolen.
The group is telling motorists to take a few simple steps to ensure they are not the victim of car crime.
"It is essential that keys should never be left in a vehicle, even for a minute, and that they are not left lying around at home or at work where an opportunist thief can easily find them. If a car is stolen with the keys, it might even invalidate the insurance," says Ms Rowe.
© Adfero Ltd
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