Theft of a Vehicle

According to the British Crime Survey, the average cost incurred by a victim of car theft is £2,345 with an additional £347 due to the goods inside the car at the time of it being stolen.

The older the car, the more likely it is to be stolen. New motorbikes and scooters are more likely to be stolen than old ones.

Top tips for preventing vehicle theft:

• Electronic engine immobilisers prevent your car from starting and are the best way to stop thieves. They should be professionally fitted by an approved installer.
• When parking at home, always use your garage if you have one. Always lock both your car and your garage. If you don’t have a garage, try to park in a well lit, open space.
• Use a steering lock every time you leave your car.
• Have your car registration number, or the last 7 digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched onto all your windows, both windscreens and your headlamps.

Vehicle crime accounted for 12% of Hart’s crime for 2003/04, which is a reduction of 6.5% since the last audit. There were 181 incidents of theft of a motor vehicle and 425 incidents of theft from a motor vehicle. The graph below shows the location of the theft from, and of, a motor vehicle. Fleet Services does have a considerable impact upon the levels of vehicle crime within the district (see more later in this chapter).

Theft of vehicles is most prevalent in Yateley town centre with theft from vehicles occurring most in Elvetham Heath and Ancells Farm (most likely due to Fleet services being encompassed in this beat).

• Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
• DVLA 0870 240 0009
• Home Office www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk
• Police 0845 045 45 45
• ‘Safer Hart’ Community Safety Partnership 01252 774476