Christmas Crimes Bring Harsh Reminders

Burglaries and 'frost jacking' increase over the holidays, says security expert, TRACKER

After the high profile case of BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid’s house being burgled, resulting in the theft of her car, TRACKER, the UK leader in stolen vehicle tracking, urges people to protect themselves and their vehicles. Going into 2011, motorists New Year resolutions should focus on making their car more secure, especially as winter brings more opportunities to theives.

Just days after her house was featured on a segment on BBC Breakfast, Susanna Reid was a victim of burglars. The thieves took an iPad and iPhone, as well as a new 32 inch television, but also drove away in the family car, using keys which were found by the front door, as the family slept.

"Unfortunately, this type of burglary is all too common, as car key theft continues to increase," says Stuart Chapman, Police liaison officer for TRACKER. "People need to think about keeping their car keys safe, rather than just leaving them where they can be seen easily by thieves.

"In addition, the wintry weather has spawned an increase in car thefts. Icy mornings mean drivers leave their vehicles unattended, complete with keys and engine running, to defrost windscreens. This is a gift for thieves and West Yorkshire Police reported three cars stolen in this way, over a two-day period in Leeds."

Chapman continues, "Many car owners are making it easy for criminals by not taking care of their keys. If a vehicle is stolen using the keys, insurers may refuse to pay a claim, making this a very costly mistake. With this in mind, we are urging motorists to focus on car security when it comes to making those New Year resolutions."

TRACKER's Winter Security Advice:

• Never leave the keys in the ignition, even if you are just stopping quickly
• Never leave you car running unattended when de-icing
• Always lock and secure your vehicle
• Make sure you don’t leave belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you
• Fit a stereo with removable front panel and take it with you when you leave the car. Mark it with your vehicle registration
• Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car
• Keep doors locked and windows up when driving
• Park in busy or well-lit and attended car parks near CCTV cameras
• If you have a garage, use it to park your car
• At home, don’t keep keys in a place where they can be seen or accessed from outside

TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or taken abroad, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen.