Crime Prevention Blog » Vehicle Security http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog Personal Alarms and Security Products Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:26:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Watch Out For The Cold Weather Carjackers http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/watch-out-for-the-cold-weather-carjackers.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/watch-out-for-the-cold-weather-carjackers.html#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:26:45 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=1721 This weekend the weather in Britain is expected to reach a chilly -9 in places, which can only mean one thing to most drivers – de-frosting their vehicles before they head off. We’ve already highlighted to our readers many opportunistic thieves are now making the most of the cold weather and simply driving away with residents cars, as they might head indoors to enjoy the warmth whilst waiting on their vehicle to de-frost.

According to one source over 50 vehicles are stolen every day using the owner’s keys. The worry is, as the weather temperature falls below zero, residents will leave their keys unattended in the ignition as the car heats-up, and the aforementioned figure is set to rise sharply.

It’s worth remembering, that if your car ‘simply disappears‘ whilst the keys are in the ignition, most insurance companies will NOT pay out as ‘you didn’t take adequate protection against theft‘.

If you have too defrost your windscreens then we recommend you use a de-icer or invest in a decent scraper (and some wooly gloves) which will quickly remove the ice from the vehicles windows. However, if you do have to leave your vehicle while it’s de-frosting, even if it’s for only a few seconds, then we at Crime Prevention Products recommend that you use proper vehicle security devices which will prevent any opportunistic thief simply driving off with your vehicle as the temperatures plummet.

]]> http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/watch-out-for-the-cold-weather-carjackers.html/feed 0 Protect Your Vehicle From Being Stolen When Defrosting http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/protect-your-vehicle-from-being-stolen-when-defrosting.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/protect-your-vehicle-from-being-stolen-when-defrosting.html#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:52:55 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=1681 This time last year the people of Britain were just getting over the snow when the temperatures plummeted to a bone chilling -18. Workers, students and even parents on the school run had to wait till their car had defrosted before making their trip out onto the roads. Leaving cars on the driveway, with their engines running, it’s hardly surprising to learn that nearly 9,000 vehicles across the UK were stolen in just 36 days at the beginning of 2011 (source).

Once again, opportunistic thieves are making the most of the colder weather, thus leaving South Yorkshire police with no option but to issue a warning to drivers after six cars were stolen by Frost-Jackers within a few short days. Owners had left their car unattended, with the engine running, while defrosting the vehicle.

While we would never recommend that you leave your car running unattended while defrosting the vehicle, we also understand that some people may have to pop into their homes for a few seconds, which is why we provide vehicle security devices such as Security Parking Posts to ensure that no one, but yourself, will drive off in your defrosted car.

]]> http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/protect-your-vehicle-from-being-stolen-when-defrosting.html/feed 0 Protecting Your Caravan During the Winter Months http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/protecting-your-caravan-during-the-winter-months.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/protecting-your-caravan-during-the-winter-months.html#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:20:15 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=1471 As we say goodbye to the last remnants of the summer sun, many caravanning enthusiasts will be busy preparing their mobile ‘home from homes’ to make them secure for winter storage. For some, they’ll use an open air storage site (a big field or concrete compound) or an undercover storage area (normally, a big warehouse) to use as a winter secure storage base. However, for many caravanners, the cheapest form of winter caravan storage is the home driveway.

Many caravan owners still believe that their garden is the safest place for their ‘van’ as they can watch over it day and night, and with the use of proper home security devices such as wheel clamps and hitch locks this can make it even more difficult for potential thieves to simply hitch-up and drive off with their caravan.

Yet, there are disadvantages for those people who decide to store their caravans at home. For, according to Lifesure Caravan Insurance, statistics show that the vast majority of thefts taking place are actually home burglaries.

Here at Crime Prevention Products, we can supply caravan owners with various security devises such as hitch locks, wheel clamps and security parking posts. So, if they do decide to store their caravan at home, they have the products available to make their home caravan storage as secure as possible!

Trailer and Caravan Hitch LockStandard Wheel ClampProfessional Anti-Ram Raid Telescopic Security Parking Post

]]> http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/protecting-your-caravan-during-the-winter-months.html/feed 0 How Vulnerable is Your Second Hand Car? http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/how-vulnerable-is-your-second-hand-car.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/how-vulnerable-is-your-second-hand-car.html#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:11:57 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=1372 car crimeWe all have certain dreams and ambitions for our children that we wish them to aspire too as they grow older. For some it’s College and/or University, while for others we hope they find a good job with decent money and prospects. For most young people a rite of passage into adulthood is learning to drive and then having a vehicle to get about in. However, one of the major problems, that many young people face after having passed their driving test, is that insurance premiums are so high for newer models, they have no option but to purchase an older, cheaper vehicle that fits in with their budget.

However, one of the biggest problems with purchasing an ‘older’ second hand car is that its alarm system may have been disabled or it just doesn’t have one. Leaving the car vulnerable to the opportunistic thief.

Over the last few years, car theft has seen a dramatic decline. Fact is, car theft has fallen from more than 1.1 million thefts a year in 1997 to just 456,000 in 2010 (source, opens in new window). This reduction in car crime can be attributed to the fact that new cars come with a host of security features including alarms, immobilisers and sophisticated tracking systems unlike older models.

When it comes to protecting your car, old or new, Crime Prevention Products can supply a host of vehicle security products that will help stop your ‘pride and joy’ from being targetted by car thiefs.

Fortis Steering Wheel LockThatcham Approved Steering Wheel LockTriangular Heavy Duty Wheel Clamp - Home Office ApprovedStandard Wheel Clamp

]]> http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/how-vulnerable-is-your-second-hand-car.html/feed 0 Car Emergency Life Hammer http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/car-emergency-life-hammer.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/car-emergency-life-hammer.html#comments Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:23:11 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=1024 This year millions of people will be leaving their homes, climbing into their vehicles and heading off to either work, visiting family & friends or just doing their weekly shopping. The disturbing fact is that last year there were over 222,000 reported vehicle accidents on British roads (source), although we still have one of the best road accident records in Europe this still equates to nearly 6 deaths on our road every single day.

When people head out on their journeys they don’t plan on having a accident, these often happen in circumstances in which they have no control over. However, one fear that most people have regarding road safety, if they were to become involved in an accident, is being trapped in their vehicles.

If you were to have an accident and your seatbelt became trapped or your doors were jammed shut, what would you do?

Crime Prevention Products have now a new range of products all intended to protect you in the up-coming winter months and one of the best products for roaccident emergencies is the Emergency Life Hammer – a dual purpose windscreen hammer & seat belt cutter.

This is the perfect item that no vehicle should be without, simply fix it below your seat and hopefully you’ll never need to use it.

]]> http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/car-emergency-life-hammer.html/feed 0 Winter Caravan Safety http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/winter-caravan-safety.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/winter-caravan-safety.html#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:50:50 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=586 With the final few days left in the mid-term break, many caravan owners thoughts will be turning to the security of their mobile homes over the long winter months ahead. As they pull into their drives for the last time of the year it will be all hands onboard, as they begin to remove the bedding, kitchen utensils, curtains before finally deflating the tyres, removing the water and gas bottles then locking the door till early next May.

As they lay dormant in the drive or lockup – we may ponder just how safe are they really? Of course that’s not to say you just don’t bother and make it easy for thieves. Many of our possessions are stolen by opportunistic thieves so if you have a good visible deterrent then chances are that they will bypass your goods.

One of the best products on the market today is the Trailer and Caravan Hitch Lock, this ingenious device locks your caravan and trailer so that no one can simply hitch it up and drive off.

Remember that a good security measure can also lead to cheaper insurance premiums.

]]> http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/winter-caravan-safety.html/feed 0 Caravan and Mobile Homes New Target for Thieves http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/caravan-mobile-homes-new-target-for-thieves.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/caravan-mobile-homes-new-target-for-thieves.html#comments Fri, 15 May 2009 14:22:40 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=346 Crime Reduction Officer, PC Tim Cuthbert, warned today of the rising trend in thieves to target against caravan and holiday parks. Speaking about the latest spate of caravan and mobile home breakin-ins, PC Cuthbert said “Criminals often target these at this time of year, as they know that people can be carrying out maintenance or preparing for their summer holidays.”

If you own a caravan or mobile home the following advice should be followed to help keep your property more secure:

Lock and close all doors, windows and any roof light when the caravan or mobile homes are left unattended.

Keys should be kept safe and inaccessible if the caravan or mobile home is left at your home address.

Never leave valuables on display where they can easily be seen through a window. Consider purchasing a safe or a safe that is disguised as an everyday object like the Safe Book for storing valuables.

Install a good quality alarm and remember to use it even when the caravan or mobile home is left for short periods.

Identify all your property with security marking pens as well as the fittings.

Photograph both the exterior and interior of the caravan and keep separate records of the serial numbers, identifying marks and contents. To secure your caravan: Lock the coupling head using a good quality hitchlock. Use locking wheel nuts and a good quality clamp on the wheels.

Think about securing each corner steady by using a good quality padlock fitted with a short shackle to preventing it being cut through.

Consider fitting a tracking device allowing the police or a system operator to track the caravan if it is stolen. This may not be as expensive as you think and may reduce your insurance premium.

]]> http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/caravan-mobile-homes-new-target-for-thieves.html/feed 0 Summer Car Crime Safeguards http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/summer-car-crime-safeguards.html http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/summer-car-crime-safeguards.html#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 10:45:49 +0000 admin http://www.c-p-p.co.uk/blog/?p=331 Motor theft has the potential to spiral in the Summer months with the light nights which encourages more youths to camp out and the influx of tourists. Although it has dropped significantly in the last few years. Car crime accounts for about 13% of all crime in England and Wales (Home office). Most car crime is opportunistic so there are several things that can be done to prevent theft.

summer-car-crimeA good car alarm and immobiliser should be fitted to most modern cars, if not there are several good ones on the market, park your car in a well lit area where plenty of people can see it. In some areas in England and Wales if a car park attendant or traffic warden sees anything valuable in your car they will now leave a letter offering you advice on how to keep valuables out of sight, lock them in your boot is always the best
option.

With the new car market falling young people are now buying older cars and spending money doing them up. If you are going to buy a car it is worth checking out some web sites that give lists of the most stolen cars for that year. Many people now spend hundreds of pounds on their cars which may include alloy wheels, these are seen as easy targets for thieves. When buying your alloy wheels make sure they have a ‘locking nut’, this is a wheel nut that needs a special ‘key’ to loosen it.

Just by following a few simple procedures will help protect your car and valuables this summertime.

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