Wheel of torture
There have been a number of incidents in the area recently, where the spare wheels of vehicles have been stolen. In particular, wheels which are stowed beneath the vehicle, i.e. Vauxhall Zafira, and the Citroen Berlingo, Picasso, Saxo and Xsara. They are stolen whilst parked in car parks and in the street.
Although the police have had some success in recovering some of these wheels, it is difficult to tell where they have come from so prosecution is impossible. Please mark your spare wheel indelibly and obviously. Both the tyre and the wheel, that way, hopefully, they will leave it where it belongs! It is better that it is not stolen in the first place. A Vauxhall wheel costs at least 90 euros to replace, whilst the Picasso costs a little more, not taking into account the considerable inconvenience.
Use some of that old paint in your garage and mark it with your registration number or VIN number. Also die-stamp the metal wheel with the same details.  Customer Services for Vauxhall suggest fitting a redesigned clasp, which is better than that factory-fitted, but still not the complete answer. They further recommend that an ordinary padlock can be fitted to the holding brackets.

Protect the whole car
One of the most expensive purchases made by the average family is the car, yet people don’t always ensure the vehicle is adequately protected against theft. Some people invite the thief by leaving the keys in the ignition and the doors unlocked, or even leaving the engine running whilst absent from the vehicle  for a moment. Car crime is considered a serious problem by the police and one they are always trying to combat. You can make their task easier if you follow some advice.

When you leave it, lock it
A thief is at his most vulnerable when he is trying to break into a car. Fit a security device, one that cuts out the ignition or the fuel or better still, fit an alarm.

Remove or hide valuables
If you carry valuables in the car, lock them in the boot. Try and conceal that expensive stereo system.
Have the windows etched
The registration number etched into the windows will make it both expensive and difficult for the thief to change the identity of your car.

Remove driving documents
Don’t leave your registration document, driving licence or insurance documents in the vehicle. They can provide the thief with visible proof of ownership. If you were to become the victim of a car thief, how well do you know your own car? Do you know the vehicle identification number? Can you supply details of the radio/cassette serial number or of any of the accessories you may have fitted? Can you remember any dents or scratches, obvious signs of repair or perhaps the fitting of a new bumper or wing? These are the clues that will help you identify your vehicle if an attempt has been made to change its appearance. Try to deliberately mark your car in some way, a card tucked into the door panel or roof lining or a deep scratch or paint mark inside the vehicle out of sight which only you know about.

Money and plastic cards
Don’t make it easy for pickpockets. Carry your wallet in an inside pocket, preferably one which can be fastened, not your back pocket. If someone bumps into you in a crowd, see if you still have your wallet or purse. Cash is a favourite target for thieves, so try to avoid carrying large amounts. When on holiday abroad, take travellers’ cheques. If your credit card is stolen, tell the card company immediately. Keep the number handy. If you delay reporting the loss, it could lead to a crime being committed in your name, as a thief could make fraudulent use of your card. Thieves can use credit cards for over the counter and telephone purchases. Never carry the personal identification number (PIN) with your cash dispensing cards. Always memorise your number, and never disclose it, not even to bank staff or close friends.

Beating car crime
If you haven't been a victim of some kind of vehicle crime you should consider yourself lucky because vehicle crime accounts for a quarter of all recorded crime. With over one million recorded offences every year, it’s the most common crime. Cars are stolen for profit, to order and they are also used in other crimes such as robbery, joy riding and moving stolen goods, all of which can devastate innocent people. Increased insurance premiums, inconvenience, loss of business and in extreme and tragic cases loss of loved ones, can be the price we pay for the mindless minority that live off vehicle crime.

What can you do?
Recent figures have indicated significant reductions in certain types of car crime however, there is always more you can do to protect you car.
According to experts the best and most effective way to reduce the chance of car theft is by fitting an electronic immobiliser. Then even if the thief gets into your car, they won’t be able to drive off with it. Is your car protected? UK Home Office guidelines state that: The most significant security development has been the increasingly widespread fitting of electronic immobilisers.

Reducing the risks
-Don’t leave your car in vulnerable situations e.g. in a pub car park overnight.
-Secure the doors, windows, boot and sunroof every time you leave the car.
-Take your keys with you when you pay for petrol at the petrol station and never leave the engine running.
-Use properly installed approved security devices.
-Etching vehicle registration numbers on the glazing and in-car entertainment will deter a thief because it creates more work for the thief when attempting to disguise the identity of the car.
-Never leave credit cards or other plastic cards in your car.
-Lock everything in the boot out of sight before you start your journey.
-Don’t leave your car keys in the sight of the opportunist thief and hide your spare car keys in your home.
-Use locking wheel nuts to prevent the theft of wheels.
-Never leave your car running to help it defrost on a cold frosty morning.