🚗 Have You Locked Your Vehicle?

Vehicle thieves often look for easy opportunities. Taking a few simple precautions can make your vehicle a far less attractive target and help protect your property.

Lock It Every Time

Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it, even if it's only for a few moments, while paying for fuel or when parked on your driveway.

Before walking away, check that:

• All doors are locked

• Windows are fully closed

• Sunroofs are shut and secure

If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, take a moment to check they have folded in. Criminals know that mirrors left out can indicate a vehicle has not been properly secured and may target it as an easy opportunity.

Never Leave Your Vehicle Running Unattended

As temperatures drop, it can be tempting to leave your vehicle running while it warms up or de-ices. However, doing so makes it an easy target for thieves.

If your vehicle is stolen while left running and unattended, your insurance may not cover the loss. It is also an offence to leave a vehicle running unattended on a public road.

Keep Your Keys Safe

Modern vehicles are generally much harder to steal without access to the keys or keyless fob. As a result, thieves often target the keys instead.

To help protect your vehicle:

• Keep keys and spare keys out of sight and away from doors, windows and letterboxes.

• Never leave keys where they can be easily seen or reached.

• Consider using a Faraday pouch for keyless entry fobs to help prevent relay theft.

• Be mindful of where you leave your keys when out and about.

Thieves have been known to use tools to fish car keys through letterboxes or reach them through open windows, allowing them to steal a vehicle within minutes.

Remember

✅ Lock it
✅ Check it
✅ Take your keys with you
✅ Keep keys safe and out of sight

A few seconds spent securing your vehicle could save you the inconvenience, cost and distress of becoming a victim of crime.

#VehicleSecurity #ProtectYourVehicle #StaffordshirePolice 🚔