For most of us, a car is not only a means of getting to work, or taking a day out with the family, but they also represent a significant financial investment. It stands to reason, therefore, that protecting your car from thieves can not only prevent your personal belongings being removed, but also the car itself. By securing your property, and using an appropriate combination of a robust wheel clamp, parking post, and a hitch lock, you can make your car a far less appealing target for thieves.

Secure Your Home and Belongings

While UK car thefts have decreased in over the last decade, owners should not relax when it comes to vehicle security. Often, a car is not necessarily the weak link in vehicle security: it’s the owner’s house, where car keys are easily found and stolen. When gaining access to a home, burglars will often look by the front door and on key racks for house and car keys. Therefore, it is important to first ensure that your home is secure, and that all vehicle keys are kept in a secure key safe.

It’s also important to ensure that you don’t fall prey to personal theft. If your bag or luggage is stolen, and they contain your car keys, it can be easy for a thief to then go on to take the car too, especially if they saw you exiting the vehicle.

Secure Your Car

Wherever you park, and no matter how quickly you plan on returning to the vehicle, it is always important to ensure that the car is locked. If an alarm or immobiliser is installed, then check and activate these too, even if you expect to return in a few moments.

Compared to the security software installed in a car, traditional vehicle security devices can appear basic, however it has become increasingly clear that the simplest measures are often the best. While some car thieves can bypass a car’s security system by cloning remote key fobs, physically preventing the car from moving or being used remains an effective solution. Using a steering wheel lock and a wheel clamp renders the car difficult to move, and unappealing to thieves.

Secure Your Parking Area

If you have a locked garage, then don’t store half-used cans of paint and old furniture in there, keep your car safe instead. Ensure that the garage door is in a good state of repair, can lock securely, and if a that the padlock is reliable and of a high quality. Remember, this padlock is intended to protect a car, so don’t settle for a standard padlock from a local hardware shop; high security padlocks may be more expensive, but they’re likely to be cheaper than replacing a stolen car.

If you do store your car in a garage or in an outbuilding, additional options are motion activated security lights, to illuminate the area as thieves approach. Home alarm systems can also be deployed, even simple contact alarms, to raise the alarm

To prevent thieves from moving your vehicle away from your home, you can also install a parking post. Parking posts are a fantastic way to protect thieves from moving your vehicle away you’re your home. The robust posts are locked into a vertical position blocking thieves your vehicle from moving away from your home. Unfortunately, if your car is parked on the street, then this option isn’t available.

Prevent Unauthorised Towing

While most cars are simply driven away by the thief, caravans, trailers, and some vehicles can be stolen by being towed away. To prevent unauthorised towing of your vehicle, attaching a tow bar hitch lock means that your vehicle cannot be moved without access being gained by the thief. If you’re looking at purchasing a tow bar hitch lock, we highly recommend calling to check the compatibility with your vehicle, as an improper fit can compromise the security of your vehicle.

Should the Worst Happen

Remember that if your car, the deed to it, or your number plates are stolen, it is imperative that you report this to the police as soon as you become aware. The sooner the police become involved, the higher the chance of recovering your vehicle before it is sold on or damaged.
It’s also important to keep a note of the Vehicle Identification Number, so that the police can identify your car should the registration plates be changed. These are often stamped into the chassis of the car, and are therefore more difficult for a thief to change. Information about distinguishing marks, and any property marking (with a UV pen or similar) on the vehicle can also be of use.

If you still have questions about vehicle security or any of the products mentioned above, then let us know in the comments below or contact us for advice on the best way to secure your vehicle. Otherwise, read on for our advice on how to keep your bike secure.