A warning has been issued to drivers after a spate of keyless car thefts in one area of Merseyside.
Those with keyless cars, and in particular Ford cars, have been told to keep an eye out and take extra measures to ensure their vehicles are not stolen. This has come after a spate of car thefts on three roads in Southport.
Merseyside Police has confirmed the thefts of keyless Ford cars and vans on Ashton Road, Cambridge Road and Albert Road. Those living in the immediate area surrounding the town centre roads have been sent a letter appealing for any information or dashcam/CCTV footage that may have captured any footage of the vehicles.
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Sefton Police Facebook page published a warning after vehicles were stolen without the use of keys, and has published a list of things that can be done to minimise the risk of theft. Although prestige and high-value cars are generally the target of criminals, any car can be the target of theft.
The guidelines are as follows:
• Lock your car every time you leave it – Get in the habit of clicking the lock on the fob TWICE to ‘deadlock’ the doors.
• Keep your keys out of sight once you have locked your vehicle. Keep keyless ignition fobs in a tin, away from doors and windows. Be aware that visitors to your home may notice where keys are left, and sneak thefts are common at both the front and rear of houses.
• If you have a car alarm, use it.
• For high value/prestige cars, take greater precautions such as trackers and immobilisers.
• For all vehicles, ‘low tech’ immobilisers like wheel clamps, gear stick or steering locks are an affordable method to deter thefts.
• Use a property marking system such as Smartwater, Datatag or similar to help deter thefts and identify stolen vehicles and parts and especially tools.
• If you have a garage use it – break-ins of cars that have been locked away in the garage are almost unheard of.
• Add a garage/shed alarm.
• When out, park your car in a well-lit area.
• Especially do not leave anything of value in your car; Wallets phones, laptops/Ipads, satellite navigation systems, tools etc. and always wipe the tell-tale marks off your windscreen that tell would be criminals that a sat nav ‘may’ be kept inside the vehicle.
• Don’t even leave a coat or plastic bag on a seat.
• Thieves hate two things; light and noise. So consider adding any measures that will light them up and draw attention to them.
• Remember, whatever the age or condition of your car, or motorcycle, it may still be a target for thieves.
• If you see suspicious activity around unattended vehicles dial 999 immediately.
• Replace door lock barrels with ‘anti-snap’ barrels. These types of locks prevented the theft of one car recently.
• Use patio door locks that secure the doors together.
• Consider vibration alarms for doors and windows, to alert you that someone may be trying to force doors. These cheap alarms can also act as a deterrent. Don’t give thieves the opportunity to make you a victim of vehicle crime.
