Other systems

There are a few other systems that you should be aware of that we have not covered elsewhere. They include:

Central locking

Most cars come with central locking, but if you have an older car it may not. A mandatory piece of kit that can be included with car alarms.

Doorlock guards

They are added to surround the lock or handle on the outside of the vehicle, protecting the lock from being picked by screwdrivers or tools used to remove the entire lock to gain entry into a car.

Gear locks

These are similar to steering wheel locks except they are fitted between the gear lever and handbrake making each one unusuable and the car undriveable. Typically quite compact for easy storage.

Security parking posts

These are the metal folding posts that are spring loaded and are lockable in the upright position, to reserve your private parking space. They can fold down and be locked to the ground in order for your car to gain entry to the parking space. Also, can be a theft deterrent if its locked in the upright position while the car is parked in the space.

Theft resistant number plates

Number plate theft is on the increase, according to police data, an estimated 33,000 number plates were reported stolen during 2004. It is, however likely that the figure is much higher given the level of unreported theft. Many of these plates are used for serious criminal activity, so be sure to report this type of theft.

Research commissioned by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), details some of this criminal activity. Stolen plates can be used to:

Disguise stolen vehicles (cloning)

Conceal the true identity of vehicles used in criminal activity such as ram-raiding or theft of petrol from garage forecourts

Sell a stolen vehicle as a legitimate one

Evade traffic related fines including parking tickets, speeding fines and congestion charges

Each theft resistant number plate fitted to a vehicle is designed to resist any known attack method for a minimum period of three minutes.

The new plates will cost approximately double the price of ordinary number plates.

Window glazing

A special film is placed over the car window to make it harder to break. Also, good for safety as its less likely to shatter during an accident. Window glazing is Thatcham approved under the new TQA system.