Prevent theft from your vehicle
Simple rules to help prevent your vehicles from becoming a target for thieves.
Historically, thieves have been motivated to break into a vehicle because the driver left valuables on display.
As technology evolves, especially with the rise of electronic vehicles (EV), so are the thieves.
To reduce the opportunity for valuable items being stolen from your vehicle, make sure you:
- take any valuables with you
- close any windows or sunroofs before you leave it, to prevent ‘fishing’
- lock your car
- double-check electronic or keyless locking
- park responsibly in well-lit, and ideally, secure locations
- install CCTV or motion-activated doorbells
Catalytic converters
Your catalytic converter is an important part of your exhaust system. It contains materials such as platinum, palladium and rhodium, which are valuable commodities.
Hybrid and EVs are targeted because they use their internal combustion engine less frequently than petrol or diesel vehicles, meaning they are in better condition.
To reduce opportunities for thieves to target your catalytic converter, you could:
- park where it is difficult for thieves to get under your vehicle
- install CCTV, dashcams, or motion-sensing video doorbells to monitor charging areas
- get your garage to add a serial number to your catalytic converter
- ask your garage to weld the catalytic converter’s bolts shut
Visit Secured by Design for a list of approved catalytic converter marking system and ‘catloc’ suppliers.
EV cables
Electronic vehicle (EV) drivers need to be aware that thieves are increasingly targeting charging cables due to their high copper content.
Charging cables are often left exposed in residential areas, and it can cost owners up to £200 to replace a stolen cable.
If you have an EV charging point installed outside your home, consider:
- install CCTV, dashcams, or motion-sensing video doorbells to monitor charging areas
- avoiding leaving cables unattended, especially overnight
- using tethered chargers with permanently attached cables
- applying forensic marking, such as from SelectaDNA, to make cables traceable
Number plates
An increasing amount of drivers are becoming victims of number plate fraud, which can involve plates being copied or stolen. They are then used to hide a stolen vehicle’s identity or dodge speeding fines.
Make it harder for thieves to get your number plate by using anti-theft number plate bolts or security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates.