Car security advice

Top 10 Do's and Don'ts to help beat the car thief

We've compiled the top security tips from the leading organisations to protect your vehicle:

Top 10 Dont's:

Never leave possessions in the car, or if you must, lock them in the boot, thus removing temptation for thieves

Never leave keys in the car even at petrol stations, or loading or unloading the car anywhere, even if it's only for a few minutes

Don't think that because your car is on a driveway it will be safe - Home Office figures show 63% of thefts are from outside owners' homes. Park with care, particularly at night or if you are leaving your vehicle for a long time. Where possible, park in a busy, well-lit area preferably close to CCTV cameras. You can find secure car parks on the Safer parking site and looking for the Park Mark

Never leave keys in an unsecured place at home or work - burglars often break into houses and offices to steal car keys

Never leave your doors unlocked while you're driving and make sure valuable items are out of the reach of criminals, who can approach your car in traffic queues or when stopped at lights

Never leave portable satellite navigation equipment in the car. Additionally removing the cradle and suction pads and cleaning any marks left on the windscreen or dashboard as thieves are known to look for these telltale signs and break in anyway, expecting to find the Sat Nav tucked away in the glove compartment

Never leave sunroofs open or unlocked

Never leave your fuel cap unlocked

Never keep your car's documents in the car

Never ignore anything unusual or suspicious, and call the police immediately. In an emergency dial 999